The popularity of cannabidiol, better known as CBD, as an ingredient for health and wellness continues to rise. There is an ever-growing number of new products launching accompanied by an increasing number of devotees who rely on this natural remedy to enhance their personal wellbeing. Research continues to uncover the multitude of ways that this cannabinoid functions to keep us balanced, relieve pain and reduce inflammation throughout the body, and projections suggest that by 2025, the CBD skin care market alone will reach $1.7 billion USD. It’s clear that CBD is here to stay. 

Previously we looked at what CBD is, and the potential benefits of incorporating cannabis  into your skincare routine. Here, we want to provide clarification about the difference between hemp and CBD and why this distinction is important for consumers to be aware of. 

If you are looking to benefit from the healing properties of CBD – be it to soothe inflammation, relieve pain, reduce brain fog, stay focused or simply relax – navigating the ingredient list of products claiming to contain CBD is not as straightforward as you might hope. As Dr. Marni Brooks pointed out in our latest episode of Madge Love Talks, “hemp CBD is not medicinal, people don’t realize that.”  Some products rely on clever marketing and intentionally confusing language; in one study from 2017 researchers analyzed 84 products claiming to contain CBD and found that almost 70% of the products were inaccurately labelled! 

While both hemp and cannabis (also known as marijuana) are both varieties of the same cannabis sativa plant, hemp has a THC concentration of 0.3% or less while any plant with a higher concertation of THC is considered to be cannabis. To be sure your getting actual CBD, you’ll want to ensure that phytocannabinoid and cannabidiol are listed as ingredients, indicating that it has been extracted from cannabis, rather than hemp. Be aware that cannabis sativa seed oil, is just another name for hemp seed oil. 

Hemp Seed Oil  

Hemp seed oil is a non-comedogenic, moisturizing oil, derived from the seeds of the hemp plant. In skincare, it has a similar profile to other enriching carrier oils such as rosehip or jojoba oil. It is also a highly nutritious oil containing omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids. Hemp seed oil does not contain any cannabinoids, meaning it will not provide any of the effects – therapeutic, psychoactive or otherwise – associated with CBD or THC consumption. Hemp seed oil is a great product to use to hydrate your skin or in cooking, however it does not provide the same benefits as CBD.  

CBD Oil  

An earlier post unpacked what CBD is, how it works through interaction with our bodies endocannabinoid system, and what the potential benefits of CBD are. CBD refers to cannabidiol, and is one of the over one hundred cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. CBD is extracted from the leaves, flowers and stalks of the cannabis (marijuana) plant - not the seeds. Unlike THC which is the main psychoactive compound in cannabis, CBD is non-intoxicating, meaning it won’t get you high. Millions of people around the world have turned to CBD to supplement and support their health and wellness routines because of its powerful anti-inflammatory, stress relieving, sleep promoting and analgesic effects.  

TYPES OF CBD

To add a further layer of complexity, there are three main forms of CBD oil: full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate. 

• Full-spectrum CBD oil includes all the compounds – cannabinoids, flavonoids, terpenes – found in the cannabis plant, including THC. The amount of THC included in full-spectrum extracts is usually below 0.3%, which is too low to cause impairment or the sensation of being high. As we’ve previously discussed, preserving the integrity of the whole plant enables the “entourage effect” to occur, where the natural synergy that exists between the compounds enhances the therapeutic effects of cannabis. Full-spectrum CBD has the potential to provide relief from conditions including pain, inflammation, and anxiety. 

• Broad-spectrum CBD oil is full-spectrum CBD with the THC removed. This is an option many people who want to avoid THC turn to, however, removing the THC eliminates the possibility of benefitting from the “entourage effect.”  

• CBD isolate contains no other compounds and is just pure CBD. 

Ultimately, when it comes to choosing your CBD product, it is important to pay close attention to the ingredient list to ensure that you are getting what you want. Hopefully, this guide will help you feel more confident, informed, and empowered to choose the product that you’re looking for, no matter where you are on your wellness journey. 

In wellness, 

Madge Love

PS: Our research library is now live. Check it out if you’re curious about the peer-reviewed research we were guided by while formulating our MADGE AND MERCER MODERN APOTHECARY products. Have a question related to cannabis or wellness you’d like us to answer? Let us know here.