CBD has gained a great deal of popularity in recent years, as understanding of this natural, endocannabinoid-system-boosting supplement grows.
This rising popularity has been accompanied by the rapid expansion of the CBD market.
Suddenly, there are different types of CBD available to purchase – and within these types, there are a plethora of CBD products available.
Confused?
As with any product, the existence of a large number of options on the market can make it very difficult to know which product to choose.
In this Evopure guide detailing the different types of CBD products, we’ll explore:
- The different types of CBD products
- The pros and cons of each product
- How to find the best CBD
Let’s get started…
In this guide:
What are the three different types of CBD?
There are three main types of CBD on the market.
All are legal in the UK, so long as they are derived from the hemp plant and stick within Home Office Guidelines on THC levels.
So, let’s take a look at each.
Full-spectrum CBD
Full-spectrum CBD oil (FSO) is a natural CBD oil packed full of goodness.
FSO is CBD-rich but also contains other complementary cannabinoids, including THC, up to a legal limit of 0.2%. Plus, FSO has flavonoids and terpenes that occur naturally in cannabis and hemp plants.
FSO is a good choice if you’re looking to extract as much therapeutic value from your CBD as possible, as it will allow you to benefit from the entourage effect.
This is a theory which suggests CBD works best as a therapeutic aid when ingested alongside other cannabinoids and cannabis compounds.
Read more: Entourage effect
Broad-spectrum CBD
Broad-spectrum CBD is similar to FSO. Broad-spectrum products contain other cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids alongside CBD.
Crucially, however, broad-spectrum products differ from FSO in that they have had any THC content completely removed.
Broad-spectrum products are excellent if you’re looking to consume a natural product and still benefit from the entourage effect while avoiding any THC consumption.
CBD isolate
CBD isolate is sometimes referred to as the ‘purest’ form of CBD. Isolates contain only CBD and are put through complex chemical extraction and distillation processes to remove all other compounds from the product.
Read more: How is CBD extracted?
Isolates won’t allow you to benefit from the entourage effect – as you’re consuming only CBD.
But, if you are concerned about CBD drug tests or absolutely do not want to consume any THC whatsoever (regardless of whether it will offer psychoactive effects) – CBD isolates might be your preferred choice.
Some broad-spectrum products may still contain tiny traces of THC, despite being stripped out of the mixture.
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What are the types of CBD products?
There is an enormous range of CBD products these days, which can be overwhelming, especially if you’re new to taking CBD.
Here we’re going to cover the most common CBD products available on the UK market.
Different types of CBD products include
CBD oil
CBD oil is the most popular form of CBD product and is sometimes referred to as CBD tinctures or drops.
CBD is most commonly available as FSO or broad spectrum, but isolates can come in oil form, too.
To take CBD oil, you simply place a drop of the oil under your tongue and let it sit there for one to two minutes before swallowing.
Most CBD oil products come with a dropper for easy application and should clearly show how much CBD each drop contains on the label or product information.
One of the significant advantages of CBD oil is that it is easy to measure and track your dosage, as you simply need to count the number of drops you take.
It also has one of the highest levels of bioavailability of any form of CBD consumption, as CBD is absorbed more quickly into the bloodstream through the blood vessels under the tongue.
It is important to store CBD oil properly to ensure it doesn’t lose its potency or effectiveness. Our guide on how to store CBD oil should help you.
CBD capsules
If you don’t like taking CBD oil under the tongue, then CBD capsules might be a good choice.
CBD capsules come in a very familiar form – usually a gel capsule containing CBD oil.
You’ll find CBD isolate, broad-spectrum and full-spectrum capsules on the market.
Most people find CBD in its capsule form easy to use, as well as making it easy to measure the dosage you’re consuming.
However, they do have a lower bioavailability than CBD oil taken sublingually – it takes longer for CBD to reach the bloodstream when absorbed via the stomach.
Read more: CBD oil vs capsules
Topical CBD
Topical CBD is a cream, lotion or balm that can be applied directly to the skin. Topicals can also include transdermal patches, which are absorbed through the skin.
- CBD balms and CBD creams
CBD balms or creams interact with the endocannabinoid receptors in your skin.
Typically, CBD is taken in balm or lotion form to address a particular area of the body that needs to be rebalanced. - Transdermal patches
Transdermal patches are strips that should be placed on your wrists. The CBD patches release CBD and other ingredients into your bloodstream via your skin and can remain on your skin for an extended period.
Read more: What are topical CBD products
Vape Products
Another way to consume CBD is through vaping.
Vaping pens and cartridges offer one of the highest levels of bioavailability of any method of CBD consumption as the CBD is absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the lungs.
There are two main types of CBD vape products:
- Vape cartridges
Cartridges are the slim vape tanks connected to a battery. These pre-filled vape tanks can contain CBD e-juice of different flavours, usually with the choice to use the refillable cartridge or purchase a disposable one. - Vape pens
Similar to the cartridges, these are slim and compact all-in-one vape devices. Manufacturers typically fill these disposable vape tanks with CBD oil, with the device containing a battery connected to an atomizer. Though portable and lightweight, vape pens are usually disposable and have to be thrown away after use – which is not exactly environmentally friendly!
Although effective and efficient, CBD vape products are usually CBD isolate, and so miss out on the entourage effect.
Additionally, some people may not like the method of inhaling vapour, or find this an inconvenient way to take CBD.
CBD beverages
Since CBD oil is a fat-soluble product, you can’t mix it with water.
You can, however, mix CBD into a range of home-made beverages. These go from cold drinks like CBD smoothies to hot drinks like CBD tea and CBD coffee.
Manufacturers have also begun to launch new CBD drinks. Brands often call these “water-soluble CBD drinks”.
Read more: What is water soluble CBD?
You can find powdered drinks, energy shots, and other types of CBD liquids on the market.
Make sure you pay attention to the extracts added to these drinks – and also to the CBD dosages. While you may think that drinking a (likely expensive), fizzy CBD-infused drink will be of therapeutic benefit, often these products only include tiny amounts of CBD.
CBD edibles
CBD edibles are becoming increasingly common, with manufacturers adding CBD extracts to various food products, including gummies, candies, chocolates and more.
You can also make your own CBD edibles by cooking with CBD oil or baking CBD treats (like these delicious CBD brownies!).
Like capsules, baked foods and gummies make it super easy for users to ingest this wellness supplement.
However, CBD edibles have one of the lowest rates of bioavailability. This is because, like with capsules, CBD needs to be processed by the digestive system.
This takes a fair amount of time, and some CBD is lost to the liver during the absorption and transportation processes.
Read more: Is CBD bad for your liver?
If you want to improve the efficiency of CBD edibles, it’s best to use products containing fats.
Since CBD is a fat-soluble product, it can be digested more efficiently when paired with fatty acids.
It should also be noted that many edible products contain only CBD isolate, so if you choose to consume CBD via edibles, you’ll miss out on the benefits of the entourage effect.
4 things to consider when buying CBD
Along with the type of CBD, the product and the consumption method, there are also other differences to keep in mind when choosing a CBD product.
Here are some key things to remember to help you find the perfect CBD product for your needs.
1. Look for third-party lab-tested CBD.
When purchasing CBD, you must choose a product that’s been through third-party lab testing.
Third-party testing labs have no affiliation with the CBD industry – you can trust what they say about the quality and origin of your CBD.
With every man and his dog grappling to get a piece of the CBD pie, some low-quality products can succeed in marketing themselves as being, well… high quality.
Third-party lab testing eliminates this possibility, allowing you to be safe in the knowledge that your CBD contains exactly what it says it does.
Read more: How to read CBD lab results
2. Choose an organic CBD
There are many advantages to choosing an organic CBD product, from protecting your health to protecting the planet.
For example, with organic products, you’ll know that the manufacturing process doesn’t involve any nasty pesticides, fungicides, or other chemicals and is GMO-free.
If living an environmentally friendly lifestyle is important to you, it’s also a good idea to check how sustainable the product you’re buying is.
At Evopure, we work directly with organic hemp farmers, simplifying the supply chain as much as possible, in order to minimise the carbon footprint of our products.
3. Choose a reputable CBD brand
The quality and efficacy of CBD products can vary wildly, depending on the brand or manufacturer.
Generally speaking, CBD is extremely safe and a well-tolerated supplement. But to make sure the CBD you use is as safe, (not to mention as effective), as possible, it needs to be a high quality product.
Look for products from reputable brands. This is the best way to avoid CBD scams, which are unfortunately a reality in the wellness industry. Choosing a reputable brand will also ensure that the product you’re consuming meets legal requirements and regulations.
4. Understand the limitations of CBD
Finally, it is important to remember that CBD is a natural herbal supplement that, by interacting with your endocannabinoid system (ECS) may improve your overall well-being.
However, it is absolutely not a replacement for traditional medication, and you may find it doesn’t work for you. And, you should also keep in mind that CBD may interact with other medications you are taking.
Always consult your doctor for advice on how to treat any medical conditions or concerns you have.
Frequently asked questions:
What is the best form of CBD?
What is the difference between medical CBD and regular CBD?
Final words on CBD types
While choosing the right CBD product may seem initially overwhelming, your choices will always depend on your individual priorities and the reason you’re taking CBD.
While there are certainly individual merits of both full spectrum and isolate products, at Evopure we only sell high-quality, organic broad-spectrum CBD – which (we think!) offers the best of both worlds: our products are both cannabinoid and terpene rich, while being THC free.
