General » 7 Tips to Buy CBD Oils for Skincare

7 Tips to Buy CBD Oils for Skincare

Updated on November 28, 2022 | By Alex

CBD, the primary non-psychoactive compound in the cannabis plant, is a popular adaptogen (a non-toxic plant-based therapeutic agent that enhances the body’s capacity to withstand non-specific stressors). Although CBD is available in multiple consumable forms, its oil extract is the most popular product.

The CBD oil extract has multiple therapeutic benefits, including as a skincare agent. According to one study, CBD’s anti-inflammation, antioxidant, moisture-locking, and soothing properties are effective against skin conditions like eczema and acne. 

However, statistics show that CBD skincare is a million-dollar industry, and CBD oil products vary quality-wise. So, consider the factors mentioned below to identify the best CBD oil products.

The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetics (FD&C) Act identifies the FDA as the regulatory body in charge of skincare and cosmetic products. According to the law, cosmetic products must not be adulterated or misbranded. Therefore, the FDA can issue warning letters to skincare and cosmetic brands that violate this law.

However, the FD&C Act does not oblige cosmetic brands to submit their products for FDA approval before launching them in the market. Therefore, the FDA does not regulate the active ingredient quantity in cosmetic and skincare products.

Although CBD is a therapeutic agent, its ratio against secondary ingredients in the CBD-infused oil influences its bioavailability. Bioavailability refers to the amount of a drug or compound necessary to induce the desired effect in the body. 

According to one study, topical CBD has the lowest bioavailability of all CBD administration methods. Therefore, any CBD oil must have sufficient CBD extract concentration to induce therapeutic effects. 

CBD manufacturers express the CBD oil concentration or dosage in either mg or a percentage. Although there is no consensus on the ideal CBD skincare dose, the higher the CBD concentration, the more effective the CBD oil likely is. CBD is more tolerable than other cannabinoids and is unlikely to trigger adverse effects, even at higher doses.

Besides CBD extract concentration, the CBD extract quality also matters when purchasing CBD oil products. The highly unregulated CBD oil industry means some unscrupulous manufacturers can use low-quality hemp to generate CBD extract.

Low-quality hemp typically contains lower CBD concentrations and may contain contaminants like fertilizers, heavy metals, and mold. However, lab-tested CBD oils undergo multiple tests in a certified lab to ensure it is contaminant-free and safe for consumption. All lab-tested CBD oil products feature an accompanying certificate of analysis (COA) detailing the independent test results.

The highly unregulated CBD industry means untrustworthy brands find their way into the market. Therefore, establish a brand’s reputation before spending your hard-earned money on CBD oil products.

CBD oil brands that value their reputation submit their products for independent lab tests and make COAs available to consumers on product pages or scannable QR codes embedded on the product packaging. Second, they offer value beyond the product and often have resources providing consumer education.

Third, they have a full disclosure policy and disclose their hemp source and production process, allowing you to conduct due diligence. Fourth, they have a reliable customer support team that is always accessible to answer your product queries. You can establish a brand’s reputation from fellow consumer reviews. 

Raw CBD extract has a low transdermal transportation capacity but is fat-soluble. Therefore, CBD oil manufacturers infuse CBD extract into carrier oils to facilitate faster transportation across the skin and enhance bioavailability. 

Carrier oils or medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) oils dilute plant extracts to enhance their stability. Popular MCT oils that dilute CBD extract include hemp seed oil, coconut oil, and grape seed oil.

Each carrier oil has unique skincare benefits that complement specific CBD extract properties. Second, carrier oils can trigger allergies, and identifying the carrier oil used can help prevent or manage such allergies.

CBD products fall into three different spectrum classes according to their cannabinoid concentrations. Full-spectrum CBD oil contains secondary cannabinoids, including delta-9 THC, the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis. It also contains terpenes and fatty acids that work synergistically with secondary cannabinoids to potentiate CBD.

On the other hand, broad-spectrum CBD contains all minor cannabinoids except delta-9 THC. It also contains terpenes and fatty acids. Lastly, CBD isolate contains pure CBD distillate and lacks the benefits of secondary compounds.

CBD oil products have a 1–2-year shelf life because CBD disintegrates into other cannabinoids with time. Factors affecting CBD oil’s shelf-life include the quality of hemp because low-quality hemp disintegrates faster. 

Second, CBD oil extraction processes also affect the oil’s stability; CO2 extraction is best for stability. Third, packaging and storage also affect the CBD oil’s shelf life; dark glass packaging stored away from direct sunlight lasts longer. Therefore, besides the expiration date, review the CBD oil’s COA for the shelf-life markers above.

Organic CBD oil comes from organically grown hemp. The organically-grown hemp grows under sustainable, chemical-free conditions and has zero toxic compounds. Second, organic hemp is more potent due to its higher cannabinoid content. Certified organic CBD oil products feature the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) organic stamp.

Conclusion:

CBD oil benefits your skin’s health, but purchasing high-quality CBD-infused oil is the only way to enjoy CBD’s topical benefits. So, follow the buyer’s guide above to buy the best CBD oil for skincare.