What Are CBD Topicals and Why You Should Use Them

When one talks about using cannabidiol or CBD topicals, the usual ones that come to mind are those in the form of gummies, capsules, or tinctures. But in recent years, CBD topicals are becoming increasingly popular, not only because of their variety of uses but also because THC products are widely prohibited. Many people are now exploring the benefits of CBD topical products, especially for localized relief.

But while it's true that CBD topicals are becoming more common in products such as creams, lotions, and gels, there are still lots of misconceptions about them. Not all are still in the know about how exactly topical CBD products enter your body and whether the benefits are the same as the ingestible variety.

Before getting on the subject of topicals themselves, it's better to have a clearer understanding of CBD first.

What Is CBD?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the more than 100 compounds naturally found in the cannabis Sativa plant. These compounds are also known as cannabinoids. CBD is quite a common and popular cannabinoid used in the market. Cannabinoids are molecules that interact with the body's cannabinoid receptors. 

The natural cannabinoids that our body makes are called endocannabinoids, which have special receptors that form the endocannabinoid system or ECS. The ECS is responsible for maintaining and balancing the body's homeostasis state. 

Growers and manufacturers extract cannabinoids such as CBD from hemp plants that are specially cultivated to produce lower levels of THC, a psychoactive substance found in cannabis. Companies rely on this industrial hemp to produce CBD products with less than 0.3 percent THC, which is the legal limit.

The CBD extracted from hemp is used to make a wide variety of products, which include edibles such as gummies, oil tinctures, and CBD topicals. Since these products contain lower levels of THC, they don't produce the "high" sensations usually associated with THC. 

CBD topicals, which come in the form of lotions, creams, balms, and gels, are infused with CBD and other ingredients that make them skin-friendly. Since they contain the medicinal properties of CBD, they are ideal for relieving pain and inflammation.

CBD topicals are essentially typical skin care products that contain CBD. These products use ingredients such as shea butter or oils such as jojoba, coconut, avocado, or vitamin E. These nourishing ingredients, combined with CBD, make the products superb for the skin. 

How Do CBD Topicals Work?

Whether it's lotion, cream, gel, or spray, CBD topicals work the same way. When a CBD topical product is applied to the skin, the ingredients interact with the cannabinoid receptors on the surface, which result in soothing the targeted, localized spot. All you need is to apply the topical product where it hurts to bring relief where you need it the most.

And since many CBD topical products are combined with botanical extracts and topical pain relievers, they work splendidly for muscle and joint aches. Other manufacturers also add essential oils, amino acids, and other beneficial ingredients to their products, improving their pain relief abilities. 

You can find menthol, histamine dihydrochloride, and lidocaine as active ingredients in some products. You will also likely find aloe vera, methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), and arnica Montana extract (a.k.a. wolfsbane). This is why CBD topicals are becoming popular among athletes and people who have physically demanding jobs.

Find out why CBD topicals are suitable for your skin. Apotheca CBD Topicals has the right product for effective pain relief and skin soothing.

Are CBD Topicals Right For You?

CBD topicals can provide targeted relief in areas that need soothing without the products entering your bloodstream. Hence, they are suitable for those who want to feel the effects on specific areas, not the entire body. 

CBD topicals offer pain-relief benefits for skin, pain, and headache issues such as joint or muscle pain, dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, headaches/migraines, menstrual cramps, foot or hand pain, and arthritis. 

These topicals are also said to be effective as a preventative solution - using CBD topicals regularly, especially multiple times a day, can make the body absorb the CBD faster and create a build-up that can help keep inflammation in check.

Discover the wonders of CBD when it comes to topical pain relief. Apotheca CBD Pain Topicals has a wide array of topical delights to choose from.

CBD Topicals For Skin Care

CBD topicals are not solely for pain relief. They can be used for skin moisturizing and nourishing. These products often contain soothing plant extracts such as coconut oil, tea tree oil, and shea butter, which are good for the skin.

Using CBD topicals is said to reduce signs of aging. They have antioxidants such as vitamin E and vitamin C, which can help reduce fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots. These products can also balance the complexion, thanks to their ECD properties. This means the skin can get enough hydration and less excess oil and get rid of patchy spots and oily t-zone.

Make your bath times even better with CBD. Fancy using bath bombs and fizz salts? Apotheca CBD Bath Products are just what you need.

How to Use CBD Cream

Using CBD topicals is easy, just like you would a regular lotion. The difference lies in considering the amount you have to use since it has CBD. You have to check how many milligrams the product contains to put just the right amount in the affected areas. 

Naturally, topicals with lower doses of CBD may not be as effective as those with higher amounts. However, starting with lower dosages first is best, especially if it's your first time using the product. From there, it's easier to add more topicals, such as CBD lotions, to the skin until you feel the desired effect. 

Love your skin even more with choice products from the Apotheca CBD Skin Care line.

How to Choose a CBD Cream

The importance of choosing high-quality products cannot be overstated. It means you must consider several factors when shopping for suitable CBD topical creams to use.

Hemp Source and Extraction Method

Try to stick with topical products made of non-GMO, USA-grown hemp extracted via reliable methods such as CO2 and ethanol, which produce high-quality products.

Strength and Potency

Topical products made from hemp differ in terms of how many milligrams of CBD they contain per ounce, which you should pay attention to when choosing a product.

Quality Control

You should only buy hemp-derived CBD products that have passed through third-party lab testing. The labs should have Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP)-compliant facilities, which conform with FDA standards. These factors are crucial, especially in light of a 2017 study that shows only 31 percent of CBD hemp oil products were labeled with the correct CBD level.

Type of Hemp Extract

The full-spectrum CBD extract comes from the whole hemp plant and contains some trace amounts of THC. The broad-spectrum CBD extract contains the full spectrum of cannabinoids, save for THC. CBD isolate is just pure CBD extract without any other compounds. Many experts agree that full-spectrum products are "better" due to the "entourage effect" they produce. The entourage effect is the main idea that cannabis plant components work better together than by themselves.

Differentiating quality CBD products from what can be described as "snake oil" is very important, given that there's little regulation in an oversaturated market. You will encounter CBD products that will not give you the effects you seek. 

While it's true that CBD can be extracted from both traditional cannabis and hemp, there are differences in their resulting extracts, specifically in the diversity of compounds found within them. 

CBD extracted from cannabis usually has a wide variety of compounds, while those extracted from hemp have a more limited chemical diversity. You must also keep a sharper eye and ensure that a hemp-derived product has CBD. Remember that hemp seeds or stalks do not produce CBD, so the part of the plant used in the extraction process is crucial.

And then there are just products with labels that claim to have lots of CBD, but in reality, it doesn't have what was promised. Hence, it is essential that you, as a consumer, do your research first and know where the manufacturer sources the raw materials for the product and whether they use sustainable and organic agricultural methods. 

It is best to look for a supplier's Certificate of Analysis, which shows test results for pesticides, heavy metals, microbial, residual solvents, terpene profile, and cannabinoid potency. Lastly, remember that milligram content makes a significant difference in terms of effectiveness. The higher the CBD, the better it should be. 

Read Also About: Skin Issues That Can Be Solved with CBD.

FAQ

How do CBD topicals work?

The skin has quite a high concentration of cannabinoid receptors. If you apply CBD topically, it activates the endocannabinoid system via those receptors. CBD binds to the cannabinoid receptors in your epidermal and dermal skin, which results in the alleviation of pain and inflammation. This anti-inflammatory effect also makes CBD topicals effective for treating some skin disorders.

What does topical CBD do for the skin?

CBD possesses anti-inflammatory properties that may aid in reducing pain, swelling, and redness from existing breakouts. It can also soothe irritation from skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. CBD topicals can also hydrate dry skin and regulate oil production - a study shows that CBD may have an anti-inflammatory effect on sebocytes, which are the skin cells that produce sebum. 

Do CBD topicals make you high?

No, they don't. CBD, by itself, doesn't have psychoactive properties. Also, compounds from topical products do not enter the bloodstream. Therefore, even topical products that contain cannabis will not get you high. So you can go ahead and use CBD topical cream or CBD lotion for targeted pain relief, from post-workout soreness to arthritis pain, without worrying about getting high.

What's the difference between CBD oil and CBD cream?

CBD oil is an extract that contains high levels of CBD and is incorporated into other products. A CBD cream is any topical product infused with CBD, which is then applied for targeted pain relief and to soothe specific skin conditions. CBD creams also contain other beneficial ingredients, such as essential oils that can boost the skin's hydration and improve overall skin health.

Buy Only the CBD Topicals At Apotheca

Apotheca can give you the high-quality CBD topicals and other CBD products you need if you reside in Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee areas. Our mission is to deliver clean, affordable, and sustainable alternatives to modern medicine for people and plants. 

Our team researches, tests, and curates partner brands that prioritize people before profit. Every product that reaches our store shelves has been thoroughly tested for quality and potency. We ensure the safety and quality of each product our customers purchase and use. 

Our partner brands provide complete test documentation and educational materials to support the customers' purpose of buying all-natural products to lead a healthier lifestyle. Hence, you can have total confidence in all items in our store. 

Apotheca provides a safe, secure shopping experience in an industry full of uncertainty. Visit the Apotheca Store Locations to see what's in store for you.