CBD ointments and topical creams have taken the world of therapeutic products by storm. These products are infused with CBD, which offers a wide range of therapeutic effects. People often turn to CBD ointments and topical creams because they believe they can provide relief for muscle aches, joint pain, and inflammation.
If you are shopping for CBD ointments and topical creams for the first time, you may feel overwhelmed by the variety of products and product types available. This guide will discuss seven tips for choosing a suitable ointment and topical creams for your needs.
Product Type
While both CBD ointments and topical creams are applied directly to the skin, there are still many essential differences between these two products. Topical creams typically consist of equal ratios of water and oil. This ratio gives them a light texture and enables them to be absorbed into your skin quickly.
Ointments tend to contain high concentrations of oils. This makes them stickier and greasier than topical creams. They also take longer to get absorbed into your skin.
If you want a CBD topical cream that will be absorbed into your skin quickly, CBD creams are the way to go. CBD ointments take longer to be absorbed and leave a noticeable “shiny” appearance on your skin due to their greasiness.
CBD Type
CBD topical products are often labelled with the type of CBD they contain. The three main categories of CBD in products are:
- CBD isolate
- Broad-spectrum CBD
- Full-spectrum CBD
CBD Isolate
CBD isolate is a particular type of CBD in which additional cannabinoids, flavonoids, terpenes, and other plant elements have been removed. CBD isolate products are believed to produce the effects of pure CBD without any of the other compounds associated with broad-spectrum or full-spectrum CBD being present.
Broad Spectrum CBD
Broad-spectrum CBD topicals contain many cannabinoids, flavonoids, terpenes, and plant elements in addition to CBD. However, these products undergo a special process to remove the THC present alongside the CBD. This allows users to benefit from using a topical containing these other compounds without worrying about THC being present.
Full Spectrum CBD
Full-spectrum CBD topicals contain cannabinoids, flavonoids, terpenes, and plant elements alongside CBD. They also have trace amounts of THC (approximately 0.3% or less). This THC concentration isn’t high enough to produce psychoactive effects, but some people may prefer to avoid full-spectrum CBD products for the minuscule amount of THC they contain.
Other people may seek out full spectrum CBD topicals due to the “entourage effect”, in the belief that the additional cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes enhance the overall therapeutic qualities of the CBD product.
CBD Concentration and Amount
CBD ointments and topicals often have the quantity or concentration of CBD in the product labelled on their packaging. This lets you know how much CBD you are getting with each application.
CBD concentrations and amounts are vital because they can impact how much of an effect the product has. For example, applying a large quantity of CBD cream with a low CBD concentration is likely to produce similar results to using a small amount of CBD cream with a high CBD concentration. So if you want to avoid slathering your skin with excessive amounts of cream, it may be better to choose the product with a higher CBD concentration.
Non-CBD Ingredients
In some cases, you may want to check the ingredients label on a CBD cream or ointment product before purchasing it. This is because these products contain different types of carrier oils and additives. The oils in CBD creams and ointments generally give the products their consistency and shelf life. However, they may also produce other benefits or drawbacks for your skin. For example, coconut oil can clog pores and cause blackheads for people with oily skin.
Some CBD topical products also contain additives such as menthol to produce a cooling effect. This cooling effect may help enhance the feeling of pain relief in the area where the product is applied.
Scented Products
Some CBD creams and ointments may also be scented. This includes products with lavender, eucalyptus, and citrusy scents. Such scents are usually added to moderate the fragrance of hemp that emanates from some CBD products.
You should note that some CBD creams and ointments may be more heavily scented than others. If you don’t want these scents attracting attention in public, you may want to go for a less-scented product.
Organic Ingredients
Many people turn to CBD products because they are seeking an organic solution to help with their muscle, joint, and skin problems. While much of CBD used in ointments and creams are generally sourced from organic plants, the other ingredients may not necessarily be so.
If you want to prioritize organic compounds in your CBD products, you should always check the ingredients before purchasing them. Many manufacturers specify which ingredients are organic, which can help you differentiate between organic and non-organic products.
Price
Price is the final consideration to keep in mind when buying CBD ointments and topical creams. It’s no secret that CBD products tend to be pricey. Some of this has to do with how recently CBD has been legalised in different parts of the world. This legal barrier prevented many CBD producers from starting operations for many years and has made CBD relatively scarce compared to other compounds sold in the alternative therapeutics market.
Some manufacturers have taken advantage of this by placing high markups on their product prices, thereby making them even more expensive. This means that an expensive CBD cream or ointment may not necessarily be better than a cheaper one.
One way to tell if a CBD product is spend the time reading useron independent review sites. This will help you understand whether the product is worth the listed price.
As you can see, there are many considerations to keep in mind when choosing CBD ointments and topical creams. So be sure to consult the above guide before setting out to make your purchase.