Two bottles can list the same CBD mg—but feel completely different. The missing piece? The carrier oil. Because CBD is fat-soluble, your carrier choice has a big impact on absorption, taste, and consistency.
Here’s how MCT, hemp seed, and olive oil stack up—plus how to choose a clean, effective formula.
Why the carrier oil matters
Carrier oils dissolve CBD and help it absorb through the gut or sublingually. The right carrier can improve bioavailability, keep your oil fluid at room temp, and deliver a pleasant flavor profile you’ll actually use daily.
Read more: Types of CBD explained
Read more: How to take CBD oil
MCT oil (coconut): best-in-class absorption & neutral taste
MCT (medium-chain triglycerides) are quickly digested and absorbed, helping fat-soluble CBD enter circulation efficiently. MCT stays liquid, has a clean mouthfeel, and a neutral taste that plays well with natural or flavoured CBD oils.
- Pros: Great bioavailability, light taste, consistent fluidity, ideal for sublingual use.
- Consider: Choose coconut-derived MCT; avoid mixed/unknown sources.
Hemp seed oil: nutrient-dense but stronger taste
Pressed from hemp seeds (no cannabinoids), hemp seed oil delivers omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. It’s nutritious, but with a more pronounced nutty/earthy flavour and slightly thicker mouthfeel compared with MCT.
- Pros: Nutritive profile, pairs well with unflavoured “hempy” blends.
- Consider: Stronger taste; absorption may be less efficient vs. MCT for sublingual routines.
Olive oil: familiar flavour, culinary-friendly
Extra virgin olive oil brings a familiar taste and polyphenols. It’s great in food (dressings, drizzles), though thicker texture and flavour can be noticeable in sublingual drops.
- Pros: Culinary uses, recognisable taste, antioxidant profile.
- Consider: Heavier mouthfeel; room-temperature viscosity varies.
Quick comparison
Absorption, taste & use case
- MCT: Highest absorption feel; neutral taste; best for sublingual daily routines.
- Hemp Seed: Nutritive add-on; earthy taste; suits unflavoured hemp enthusiasts.
- Olive: Great in food; more pronounced flavour and thicker mouthfeel.
Read more: CBD isolate guide
How to choose the right CBD
1) Carrier first
If you take CBD sublingually, MCT-based oils usually offer the best experience. If you prefer culinary use, olive oil can shine.
2) Spectrum type
Broad-spectrum CBD delivers multiple hemp compounds without THC. Full-spectrum includes trace THC (legal limits). Isolate is pure CBD with no other cannabinoids.
Read more: Types of CBD explained
3) Clean label & testing
Look for organic sourcing, vegan formulas, and third-party lab reports (COAs) confirming potency and purity.
Read more: How to read CBD lab results
Final thoughts
The carrier oil is the unsung hero of your CBD. For most sublingual routines, MCT offers the most seamless blend of absorption, taste, and consistency—while hemp seed and olive oil can excel in specific preferences or culinary use. Choose the option that fits your routine, your palate, and your goals.
FAQs
Is MCT oil vegan?
Yes—coconut-derived MCT is plant-based and vegan-friendly.
Does carrier oil affect how fast CBD works?
Yes. Because CBD is fat-soluble, carriers like MCT can support quicker, smoother absorption in sublingual use.
Which carrier is best for flavoured CBD?
MCT’s neutral flavour pairs well with natural mint, citrus, or berry profiles.
