With hemp-derived CBD becoming federally legal in 2018, purchasing CBD online is now easier than ever. There are plenty of websites that offer a variety of CBD products and varying prices. So how can you tell which products are high-quality? Here’s what to look for when you buy CBD products online.
Choose Your CBD Type
If you’re new to CBD, you may be seeing various types of CBD and feel unsure which one you should purchase. The three commonly used terms are CBD isolate, full-spectrum CBD, and broad-spectrum CBD.
CBD Isolate
CBD isolate is the purest form of CBD you can purchase. All other compounds, including THC, flavonoids, and terpenes, are removed leaving only 99.9% CBD. You can purchase just CBD isolate alone and it will come in either a fine white powder or in the shape of crystals. If you purchase a CBD product, like a salve or ingestible, it may say “pure CBD” to indicate that it doesn’t contain other plant matter. However, there isn’t any official regulation about terminology, so always check ingredient lists if you’re looking specifically for pure CBD isolate.
Full-Spectrum CBD
Full-spectrum CBD contains more compounds of the cannabis plant including terpenes, flavonoids, and other cannabinoids like CBN, CBC, and CBG. However, full-spectrum CBD still must contain less than 0.3% THC to be considered legal. Many people choose full-spectrum CBD oil or products made with full-spectrum CBD because the presence of this wider range of compounds aids in what is known as the entourage effect.
Broad-Spectrum CBD
Broad-spectrum CBD oil includes a range of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, similar to full-spectrum, but with 0% THC. Some people consider broad-spectrum CBD to be a happy medium between pure CBD isolate and full-spectrum CBD.
Choose Your Method of Consumption
CBD companies are getting very creative with CBD products so there are many different ways you can consume it.
CBD Oil
CBD oil is one of the most straightforward ways to ingest CBD internally. You can purchase CBD oil in a dropper bottle or CBD capsules depending on your preference. The ingredient lists should be short and contain CBD, a carrier oil like MCT/coconut oil, and very few other ingredients. Beware of CBD oils that contain artificial colors or flavors or other additives. When making your choice about which CBD oil to purchase, be sure to check labels if you’re specifically looking for pure CBD isolate, full-spectrum, or broad-spectrum.
CBD Inhalation
You can also choose to vaporize and smoke CBD isolate. This can be done with a dab rig or vaporizer pen. Some people choose this method because they will feel the effects of CBD quicker and are only consuming CBD. However, it may be more difficult to know exactly how many milligrams of CBD you are smoking at once, so start small and work your way up if you’re unsure.
CBD Topicals
CBD topicals are growing in popularity. When you buy CBD products online you can find a variety of lotions and moisturizers, salve, lip balm, deodorant, bath bombs, and more that contain CBD. Many people reach for topical CBD products to soothe dry skin, rub into sore muscles, or relax after a tough workout. The type of CBD used in any given product can vary, so again, check labels to know which kind you’re getting. It is also worth reading ingredient lists to avoid components that could potentially irritate skin such as artificial scents, dyes, or parabens. Look for CBD topicals with high-quality ingredients like organic shea butter, essential oils, and natural beeswax.
CBD Edibles
CBD edibles like gummies, drinks, and other treats are also an option when choosing a CBD product. People may want to be cautious however when purchasing CBD edibles that are baked goods or items that are created with high heat because at certain temperatures, CBD does begin to degrade. Some CBD edibles may also contain high amounts of sugar, artificial flavors, dyes, or allergens.
Look at Awards and Featured Articles
Take note if the company has won awards or not. Color Up likes to validate and ensure its quality products by comparing it to other manufacturers in the space. If a company has a lot of awards or is featured in popular articles; it’s probably safe to say that it’s products rank high amongst the rest of the pack. For instance, our Remedy Oil won for being one of the 6 Best Serums by Spa & Wellness Mexicaribe in 2022. A few of our other awards for skin care products are listed below.
Check for COAs
One of the best ways to ensure you are getting high-quality CBD is to only buy CBD products online from businesses that allow customers to look at the COAs. COA stands for certificate of analysis and contains the results of 3rd party lab tests. This is to ensure that there aren’t any pesticides, heavy metals, mold, or other unwanted ingredients. COAs can also prove the potency of the CBD. The more transparency a company offers, the more comfortable customers can feel about the products they are purchasing.
Buy CBD Products Online from Color Up
Color Up takes the utmost level of care when it comes to formulating CBD products and only uses the highest-quality ingredients and has easily accessible COAs and lab results on the website. Color Up has a wide variety of CBD products available for purchase online and in-store including: