How To Shop For CBD Creams, Balms, And Other Topicals

Shopping for CBD Cream requires you to be keen on the lab results, chemicals used, and extraction method. Also, consider going for a favorable type of CBD topicals; full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate.

As more CBD brands come into play, it becomes difficult to shop for quality CBD topicals. CBD creams are one of the most effective skincare products with various active chemical compounds from the hemp plant, such as terpenes, flavonoids, cannabidiol (CBD), and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). You need to understand them better If you are going for the therapeutic benefits of CBD cream. CBD creams are of three types; full-spectrum, broad-spectrum and isolate. Most people like shopping online since they find the best deals, although shopping CBD topicals is recommended from your nearest store. The following tips will help you shop for the best CBD creams, balms, and other topicals.

What is CBD?

A person must understand the meaning of CBD Balms and Gels before getting to the tips that will help you shop for the best product. CBD Cream are skin products manufactured with organic hemp plant extracts such as terpenes, flavonoids, THC, and CBD. All CBD topicals should be assessed for potency and purity levels, ensuring they don't have contaminants that will interfere with their effectiveness.

Full-Spectrum CBD topicals

Full-spectrum CBD Balms and Gels are the most common and popular due to their unique therapeutic benefits. They are believed to offer more health benefits than other types since they have various chemical compounds of the hemp plant. Full-spectrum hemp-based topicals have all the elements of cannabis sativa or hemp plant. However, the impact of THC has resulted in various discussions regarding full spectrum CBD effectiveness. The 2018 Farm Bill restricts THC levels to 0.3% due to its intoxicating side effects. According to Grant et al.(2012), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) contains intoxicating side effects that can result in anxiety and dizziness. Di Giacomo et al. (2021) suggested that hemp THC contains anti-inflammatory properties suitable for skin protection. Therefore, full-spectrum might not be the best option when shopping for CBD topicals, especially for beginners.

Broad- Spectrum Topicals

Broad-spectrum topicals contain all the elements of the hemp plant except THC. Like full spectrum, it delivers an entourage effect, offering more than skin benefits. The entourage effect is the ability of multiple chemical compounds or ingredients to work together to provide more than the intended therapeutic benefits. Broad-spectrum is the best for the entourage effect since it doesn't have THC-related risks. According to Ueberall et al. (2019), the broad-spectrum CBD is suitable for internal and external pain. However, the absence of THC should not make a person use high potency levels. According to Hunault (2014), concentrated CBD can lead to anxiety, poor memory, and dizziness.

Isolate

Isolate can't offer an entourage effect since it only has one element from the hemp plant, CBD, unlike other types of CBD. It is only limited to CBD-related health benefits. Atalay et al.(2020) revealed that isolate CBD is suitable for protecting your skin against UV rays and free radicals due to its antioxidant properties. However, more clinical trials are required to verify the health benefits.

Tips on Choosing Shopping For The Best CBD Topicals

must be high quality and applied properly for the maximum effect of CBD topicals. the following will help you differentiate between good and poor quality CBD Balms and Gels besides the types;

The Extraction Method

There are two common methods of obtaining hemp extracts, CO2 and ethanol. Ethanol is effective and suitable for large-scale production. However, it uses numerous chemicals, likely to contaminate the end products with chemicals solvents that can cause irritation or burns. CO2 is the most effective way of obtaining hemp plant extracts. The research suggests that it minimizes contamination of the environment and the end products. The extraction method determines the purity levels since it is a stage where chemical compounds are involved.

Other Elements

Confirm the list of elements used to manufacture your CBD topicals. The primary aim of hemp-based manufacturers is to give organic solutions to pets and humans. Therefore, most CBD brands blend their hemp with organic elements such as MCT oil, arnica, vitamin C and A. Avoid brands using artificial chemical compounds since they can cause burns and skin irritation. Some artificial ingredients might offer a solution, although they will likely be temporary.

The Price

Companies investing a lot of money in producing quality, organic CBD topicals invest a lot in manufacturing. The more money invested in production, the higher the price. Therefore, quality CBD Cream such as creams, lotions, and balms might be expensive. Therefore, it is important to compare rates of various brands before being lured to poor quality by enticing prices. Avoid cheap products since the brand might have used shortcuts to manufacture their products- they don't meet the required standards. Learn more about does topical cbd actually work?

The Lab Results

It is a mandatory requirement for all CBD products, including topicals. All hemp-based products should be assessed for their potency and purity levels, ensuring they are fit for usage. Confirming the potency levels helps you avoid overdosing with CBD, which can result in various side effects, including anxiety and dizziness. Avoid brands that have received warnings from the FDA often regarding posting wrong potency levels.

Check on purity levels to minimize skin burns and irritation. The extraction and manufacturing process requires chemicals, which might infiltrate your topicals. Therefore, confirm the list of chemicals used and ensure they are safe for application. Confirm the purity levels, ensuring the topicals are void of chemical solvents. The results should be from IOS or an FDA-certified lab for accuracy and honesty. Prioritize brands with centralized independent labs, helping them assess the purity and potency levels at every manufacturing stage.

Conclusion

CBD Balms and Gels can only be effective if they are highly qualified and how you apply them. Ensure your body is free from dead cells, sweat, and oils to allow active ingredients to penetrate the skin's roots. This can be achieved easily through exfoliation. Besides, the quality of CBD Cream is equally important. There are various ways of differentiating between good and poor quality. However, the major way is by assessing the lab results, ensuring they match the posted potency and purity levels. The lab results should be from an IOS-certified lab for accuracy and transparency.

References

Atalay, S., Jarocka-Karpowicz, I., & Skrzydlewska, E. (2020). Antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties of cannabidiol. Antioxidants, 9(1), 21.

di Giacomo, V., Recinella, L., Chiavaroli, A., Orlando, G., Cataldi, A., Rapino, M., ... & Ferrante, C. (2021). Metabolomic profile and antioxidant/anti-inflammatory effects of industrial hemp water extract in fibroblasts, keratinocytes, and isolated mouse skin specimens. Antioxidants, 10(1), 44.

Grant, I., Atkinson, J. H., Gouaux, B., & Wilsey, B. (2012). Medical marijuana: clearing away the smoke. The open neurology journal, 6, 18.

Hunault, C. C., Böcker, K. B., Stellato, R. K., Kenemans, J. L., de Vries, I., & Meulenbelt, J. (2014). Acute subjective effects after smoking joints containing up to 69 mg Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol in recreational users: a randomized, crossover clinical trial. Psychopharmacology, 231(24), 4723-4733.

Ueberall, M. A., Essner, U., & Mueller-Schwefe, G. H. (2019). Effectiveness and tolerability of THC: CBD oromucosal spray as add-on measure in patients with severe chronic pain: analysis of 12-week open-label real-world data provided by the German Pain e-Registry. Journal of pain research, 12, 1577.