Cannabidiol (also known as CBD) is a molecule found in cannabis and hemp plants. It's gaining popularity around the US, especially in skincare. In DIY bath and body products, CBD oil can add soothing and moisturizing properties. It's thought to be great for those with sensitive or extra dry skin. Learn more about CBD in this article.
Below, Bramble Berry Creative Director Amanda shares tips for how to add CBD to your next project.
1. Consider the application of the product
The first step in creating a CBD product is to consider where and how you want to apply it. Looking online, you may notice most tend to be leave-on products. That includes products you don't wash off, like lotions, serums, balms, creams, salves, body oils, and sprays. Bath bombs and salts can also be in this category.
The thought behind including CBD in a leave-on product is it has time to absorb into the skin. How much is absorbed isn't known - this can be said for most bath and beauty ingredients. Regardless, leave-on products are often thought to be more effective.
Another benefit of leave-on products is they can be applied to select areas. You can use them where you need it the most, like elbows or hands.
Of course, what type of product you choose to create boils down to preference and what effect you’d like the CBD to have.
2. Consider the form of CBD for your project
Next, you need to consider what form of CBD you’d like to work with. It's sold as a tincture or powder, and some forms may be easier to incorporate than others.
If the CBD is a tincture, ensure it's entirely oil-based. Many will be a MCT oil tincture, which is similar to fractionated coconut oil. Make sure all the ingredients are oil if you want to use it in a product that is made up of entirely oils and butters. These include balms, body oils, and body butters. If it contains other ingredients like water, it won't mix into oil-based products.
Another thing to consider is the color, smell, and texture of the oil you choose. Many have a dark green color and a green, earthy scent that will transfer to your products. Just how much will vary depending on the CBD and how much you use.
3. Decide how potent you want your product to be
You may want to consider how many milligrams of CBD are in your product. It will vary widely depending on personal preference.
To find out how much is in your product, divide the total amount added to the batch by the number of products produced. For example, in our recipe for CBD Body Balm Sticks, we added a full 2 ounce bottle of full spectrum CBD oil. It contains 600 mg of CBD. The recipe was poured into 3 twist tubes, which means each one contains about 200 mg of CBD.
4. Choose the right brand
If you want to try CBD, Erin with ONDA Wellness said there are a few factors to consider. They provide full-spectrum, whole-plant hemp CBD. They use biodynamic farming practices with minimal processing to deliver a vibrant green oil that's great for all uses.
First, check to see if the plant is from the US, as regulations and quality systems are stabilizing here. ONDA uses a patented lipid-infusion method that doesn't strip any part of the hemp.
"It’s important to find companies that are transparent with their infusion or extraction methods," Erin said. "We personally like to steer clear of butane, CO2, or methane extractions."
She also recommends researching the brand, specifically for third-party lab testing. That way you know the CBD is free from heavy metal or pesticides. ONDA has farmers test the hemp within 30 days of harvest to ensure it's within the legal range allowed. That report is sent to the Department of Agriculture. Then, they test the biomass twice in their warehouse. Finally, the oil is tested one more time to ensure the proper dosage.
We love this full spectrum CBD oil from Ology Essentials. Their CBD products are extracted from hemp grown on farms that have been herbicide, pesticide, and fungicide free for more than ten years. Their extraction process retains the terpenes and nutrients from the plant while creating an extract that’s solvent-free, alcohol-free, all natural, and vegan.
If you're ready to work with CBD, check out these recipes for CBD Body Balm Sticks and CBD Bath Bombs.