The Science Behind How CBD Topicals Work in the Body

Topical CBD products, such as cream and balm products, are a popular choice for adults seeking minor pain relief and relief for skin dryness and irritation.** CBD topicals don’t work like other CBD products, which are absorbed into the bloodstream. Instead, topicals are applied directly to the affected area, and penetrate the skin to deliver relief straight to the tissue in need.**

But that’s not the whole story about what CBD topicals are and how these products work. In this article, we’ll dig a little deeper into what CBD is, how this hemp compound works, and what makes CBD topical products tick. We’ll also look at the different types of CBD topicals and learn how to differentiate quality CBD products from hemp products you should avoid.

Let’s begin with a refresher course on the cannabinoid known as CBD.

What Is CBD?

CBD (cannabidiol) is one of a group of cannabis compounds, called cannabinoids. We’ll focus our CBD discussion on the low-THC form of cannabis, called hemp, since this is the plant from which all of our CBD products are derived.

Hemp produces cannabinoids for many different reasons. They protect the hemp plant from inclement weather, insect predators, and grazing animals, as well as attract pollinators. Of the 100-plus cannabinoids, CBD is one of the most abundant, as is THC. But whereas marijuana has large amounts of THC, hemp has less than 0.3% THC (as per the 2018 US Farm Bill). And while THC is known for its intoxicating effects, CBD is not intoxicating. Instead, CBD is renowned for the health and wellness benefits that stem from its interaction with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS).**

The endocannabinoid system sends signals to receptors throughout the body to help it maintain homeostasis, or balance. CBD and other cannabinoids mimic the body’s own endocannabinoids and bolster their performance.** This interaction between CBD and the ECS produces a wealth of health and wellness benefits.**

Full-Spectrum CBD vs Broad-Spectrum CBD vs CBD Isolate

There are different types of CBD oil you’ll come across as you shop for topicals and other CBD products. Full-spectrum CBD is the oil that is initially extracted from the hemp plant. Full spectrum oil contains all the cannabinoids (including CBD and traces of THC), flavonoids, terpenes, and healthy fatty acids of the hemp plant. Broad spectrum CBD is the same hemp oil as full spectrum, only the detectable traces of THC have been filtered out. CBD isolate is CBD only, with all other hemp compounds filtered out.

What Are CBD Topicals?

CBD topicals are CBD-infused products that are applied to the skin. Topical CBD products include CBD creams and balm products, CBD bath salts and bath bombs, CBD masks, and other similar products.

How Do Topical CBD Products Work?

CBD topicals work like other topical creams, delivering soothing relief directly to the affected area.** When you rub topical CBD into your skin, the CBD and other active ingredients absorb into the skin and go directly to the affected tissue. So, unlike CBD gummies, CBD vapes, CBD oil tinctures, and other such products, CBD topicals do not get absorbed into the bloodstream before interacting with the endocannabinoid system. Instead, topical products interact directly with receptors in the skin and tissue beneath.**

This makes CBD topicals the product of choice for many adults seeking minor pain relief in the muscles and joints, as well as relief for dry or irritated skin.**

Types of Topicals: CBD Creams, CBD Lotion, CBD Salve & More

There are many different types of topical CBD items, including creams and balm products, CBD salve, CBD lotion, CBD bath bombs, CBD bath salts, CBD body massage oil, CBD masks, and more. Here’s a handy guide to our best-selling topical products, including links to each product, as well as info on the type of CBD oil the product contains and its potency (milligrams of CBD).

How to Find the Best CBD Oil Products

When you’re shopping for topical creams (or any other CBD product, for that matter), make sure to purchase from a CBD brand that uses organic hemp to make their products. Hemp is a bioaccumulator, meaning that it sucks up pretty much everything from the soil surrounding the plant. This is great for absorbing nutrients, but not so great when the soil contains contaminants, such as pesticides, heavy metals, and other toxins. If those toxins are absorbed by the hemp plant, you can be assured that they’ll also be in the CBD oil used to make your product. So, always insist on products made with organic CBD.

Also, make sure the CBD used in your product was extracted from the hemp plant by means of clean carbon dioxide. Often, cheaper methods of CBD oil extraction, such as solvent oil extraction, will leave behind a residue in the CBD oil. CO2 leaves behind no such residue in the oil.

So, how can you know if your cream or other CBD product was made with organic hemp and oil extracted with safe CO2? Check your product’s Certificate of Analysis (COA). This is a third-party lab report that tells you how much CBD, THC, and other cannabinoids are in your product, and alerts you to the presence of any of the aforementioned toxins, as well. Every reputable CBD company will provide you with a COA for all of their products.

Final Thoughts on CBD Topical Products

We hope this article has given you a better understanding of how CBD cream and other topicals work, as well as an idea of the various topical products available to you. Just make sure, when you shop for CBD cream and topicals, that you insist on organic products, with the oil derived by means of clean CO2, and backed by a Certificate of Analysis. We wish you the best on your CBD journey!

Looking for a cream to deliver relief from minor aches and pain? Try our CBD Muscle & Joint Cream: Cooling Formula, with CBD, white willow bark, caffeine, and cooling menthol!**