WHAT IS CBD CREAM? (AND WHAT TO LOOK FOR)

CBD cream is among the CBD products flooding the cannabis market. Are you a newcomer to the CBD world and wondering what CBD cream is? Or are you overwhelmed when looking for the right CBD cream?

The hype around CBD is increasingly becoming popular among cannabis users. Capano et al. (2020) stated that CBD has potential therapeutic effects such as pain alleviation. Following the legalization of CBD under the Farm Bill 2018, several CBD products have been developed to meet the varying needs of consumers. CBD appears to be the current trend in beauty and wellness. Today, there are more topical products infused with CBD. From salves and serums to lotions and creams. According to the study above, CBD cream is a natural way of offering relief without ingesting pills. It's a safe remedy that can be used alone or combined with other treatments for skin issues or to help manage your painful joint or muscle aches. Let's find out more about CBD cream and what to look for when purchasing one.

What is CBD?

CBD is the abbreviation of cannabidiol. It's a chemical compound in the cannabis sativa plant (cannabis or hemp). According to Tzadok et al. (2016), one specific form of CBD is approved as a drug in the United States to treat seizures. The cannabis plant has over a hundred cannabinoids, and Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the most abundant compound in cannabis. However, CBD is derived from the hemp plant, a cannabis sativa plant that contains trace amounts of THC. THC has psychoactive properties that cause you to have a high feeling.

According to Weston-Green (2018), CBD appears to affect some chemicals in the brain, though not similar to those of THC. Anecdotal evidence suggests that CBD is also used for anxiety, pain, etc. The 2018 Farm Bill made it legal to sell hemp and hemp products in the U.S. However, the amount of CBD in these products may not always be the same as stated on the label. Consequently, please don't shy away from using CBD products since, legally, they should contain less than 0.3% THC levels, which is not enough to intoxicate you.

What is CBD Cream?

A CBD cream is a type of cream or lotion infused with the most concentrated form of CBD. They are applied to the skin, so they are known as topicals. CBD is extracted in three different concentrates: full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and CBD isolate. The CBD compound added to CBD creams is mostly derived using a CO2 extraction. CO2 is considered the purest and cleanest form of CBD extraction. This extraction method also ensures no solvents in the extracted concentrate of CBD since these solvents might be harmful to the skin. Since the legalization of hemp-derived CBD products, the health and wellness market has been flooded with various CBD creams and other topicals.

Although medical marijuana is inaccessible in most states, the emergence of hemp-derived CBD products has allowed many people a legal way to seek therapeutic relief. To make CBD creams, different essential oils such as coconut oil, olive oil, or sheer butter are added to CBD oil to give it the form of a cream or lotion. Remember that CBD creams won't make you high since CBD oil is derived from the hemp plant, the industrial version of the cannabis plant. Industrial hemp has a high content of CBD, and very low THC levels, as earlier mentioned, making CBD oil legal. Also, CBD creams are popular because they do not test positive on drug tests.

What to Look For in a CBD Cream

Choose Full-Spectrum CBD if Possible

CBD is extracted as full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate. Isolates are great for consumers who want to ensure no THC in their products. This extract strips away other cannabinoids and compounds like terpenes which can reduce the overall therapeutic benefits of CBD. Broad-spectrum CBD creams contain all other cannabinoids apart from THC. Full-spectrum CBD creams contain all cannabinoids and terpenes, including THC. Full-spectrum is considered more effective since CBD and THC work together to produce the entourage effect. It's worth noting that full-spectrum CBD creams will still contain 0.3% THC or less; thus, you won't become intoxicated.

Intention

When shopping for the right topical product for personal needs, consider the motivation for buying. Do you intend to benefit from the hydration boost of CBD for your face or body generally? Or are you treating acne or pain? Being clear about the result you want to see can help you zero in on a product that best tailors your needs.

Ingredients

If you are allergic or sensitive to botanical ingredients, avoid these products. Choose all-natural and organic U.S. grown ingredients whenever available. You'll get all the benefits of the ingredients without the contaminants. When purchasing facial products, look out for ingredients that might irritate the skin.

Third-Party Lab Test Results

According to Oleinik (March 2022), third-party lab test results are the most effective way to ensure the efficacy and safety of CBD products. The tests are done by independent labs that confirm whether a given product contains the CBD level indicated on the label. Also, the third party can look for the presence of pesticides, heavy metals, and other contaminants harmful to the skin. Therefore, all reputable CBD companies should utilize third-party testing and share their results publicly on their websites. The lack of these tests should be a big red flag.

Hemp Source

CBD is extracted from hemp. Therefore, plant quality and cultivation processes are important. Hemp grown in the U.S is safer and more reliable than hemp grown elsewhere. That's because the United States has strict rules regarding hemp farming and CBD products. Companies that don't adhere to rules risk hefty fines or closure. Moreover, hemp manufacturers in other countries may not be required to follow any production regulations meaning their hemp plants may be harmful. CBD creams from companies that utilize only U.S grown hemp.

Conclusion

More people turn to CBD creams as a natural and safe alternative to synthetic, harmful, and addictive over-the-counter drugs. CBD cream is a great option since it doesn't produce intoxication and has very few adverse side effects. Although CBD creams may provide relief from certain conditions, you should seek guidance from a healthcare professional, especially if you're under medical treatment. Research into CBD is limited, but many people have reported success with creams for ailments such as pain, acne, etc. For best results, go for a potent, full-spectrum CBD cream from a reputable company that utilizes high-quality, organic ingredients.

References

Capano, A., Weaver, R., & Burkman, E. (2020). Evaluation Of The Effects Of CBD Hemp Extract On Opioid Use And Quality Of Life Indicators In Chronic Pain Patients: A Prospective Cohort Study. Postgraduate Medicine, 132(1), 56-61.

Oleinik, G. The Best CBD Creams & Topicals For Acne (March 2022)

Tzadok, M., Uliel-Siboni, S., Linder, I., Kramer, U., Epstein, O., Menascu, S., & Ben-Zeev, B. (2016). CBD-Enriched Medical Cannabis For Intractable Pediatric Epilepsy: The Current Israeli Experience. Seizure, 35, 41-44.

Weston-Green, K. (2018). The United Chemicals Of Cannabis: Beneficial Effects Of Cannabis Phytochemicals On The Brain And Cognition. In Recent Advances In Cannabinoid Research. intechopen.