What is CBD?
CBD is the short form for cannabidiol. It is a cannabinoid, which is an active ingredient of the cannabis sativa plant. The said plant contains hundreds of different cannabinoids.
The wonderful cannabis plant is such a diverse gift of nature, nearly all of it can be used. The flowers, the leaves, the stalks and hemp seeds.
The leaves and flowers of the hemp plant give us CBD oil. The efficient and very precise CO2 extraction method is particularly popular with manufacturers in producing the highest quality CBD.
Hemp oil comes from the seeds of the hemp plant. This does offer nutritional benefits but it does not contain cannabinoids, so it doesn't offer the same health benefits as CBD.
In addition to this, as many companies actively produce packaging intended to make the consumer believe it is a CBD product. It can be tricky at first glance to tell the difference.
Because CBD is still a completely new topic for many, CBD is often confused or associated with the better-known cannabis active ingredient THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol.
This often leads to misunderstandings, because CBD doesn't have the same effects as THC, and is not illegal like THC. The latter is known for its intoxicating effect and for the "high" associated with cannabis generally.
This is not the case with CBD. Cannabidiol is said to have relaxing, anti-inflammatory and anti-depressant effects. But does not affect motor or cognitive functions.
People are turning to CBD as an alternative treatment to conventional medicines, given it's lack of side effects which strong medication can often cause. But people are also using CBD alongside their medication.
CBD is considered safe by the WHO, but it does interact with certain drugs. For example, if you are warned against consuming grapefruit while taking certain medications - then definitely don't take CBD with it. Always consult a doctor if unsure.
What exactly is a CBD cream?
A CBD cream is much like any normal cosmetic cream, except CBD is added to the cream.
It is therefore possible that the user of a CBD cream can benefits from the anti-inflammatory effects of cannabidiol.
The cream has a natural effect and has a direct influence on the nervous system due to the special active ingredient.
CBD for topical application can actually be divided into three categories. There are lotions and creams that can moisturise and care for the skin. And there are ointments that mainly soothe the skin and can relieve pain caused by burns, insect bites or the like.
It’s worth noting that not every cream is the same and there are some variations.
Most products are fairly inexpensive and can also be bought in different CBD concentrations. So, as a consumer, you have a lot of leeway with CBD creams.
Generally, it is a good idea to start with a lower CBD concentration in order to slowly get used to the active ingredient.
Ingredients of a CBD cream
A CBD cream’s ingredient, rather unsurprisingly, depend on the the respective manufacturer and can vary from product to product.
In addition to CBD, the creams very often contain a variety of natural ingredients and substances that could all be of therapeutic benefit.
These usually include substances that are also known from other creams. For example, shea butter, beeswax, almond oil, sandalwood cattle, aloe vera or eucalyptus oil.
The combination of CBD with almond oil and shea butter is particularly interesting, because the latter two substances are also known to provide the body with vitamin E and to help reduce wrinkles.
In some cases, antioxidant oils or omega 3, 6, 7 and 9 fatty acids are added to the creams. Among other things, they ensure cell stability. Some of the ingredients in CBD creams also include other cannabinoids such as CBC, CBG or CBN.
In the UK, CBD creams (and all products) are legally required to contain no detectable THC, although in many countries the limit is 0.2% THC.
The exact list of ingredients can, of course, be found on the respective manufacturer's website or on the packaging of the CBD cream.
Ultimately, it also depends on the purpose of the cream. For example, it could be intended to heal wounds or provide moisture, or perhaps it should have a specific scent. Each of these, and other, purposes would lead to different ingredients.
As always with any topical creams, you should check whether you are allergic to any of the ingredients.
Effect of the CBD cream
The CBD interacts with our body's endocannabinoid system (ECS). This creates a connection with the nervous system.
The ECS can participate in many different body processes and also regulate and control them. For example, it is possible that CBD has an influence on cell renewal and regulation of the moisture balance, or that the antioxidant properties of the substance can be used to strengthen the immune system.
Therefore, CBD creams can be anti-inflammatory and relaxing, but also potentially relieve pain. Nevertheless, there are important differences in the way CBD creams work, which should be carefully considered.
Topical and transdermal creams
A distinction is made between topical and transdermal creams. Transdermal relates to the application of medicines or drugs through the skin. In this way, the CBD soaks through the skin and into the body. Topical creams will not reach the body, it will only affect the skin.
The outermost layer of skin (epidermis) normally protects the other layers of skin (dermis and hypodermis) from pathogens, UV rays or even toxins.
With a transdermal cream, however, entry is enabled, which means that the active ingredients can also reach the lower layers of the skin.
Creams have to be produced in a certain way to be able to be absorbed to different skin levels.
Once CBD has been absorbed through the skin, the cannabinoid can have its effects all over the body and thus also help with depression, anxiety or sleep disorders. With these conditions, a CBD salt bath could also be useful.
Topical creams, on the other hand, are to be used if you want to treat a specific area on the skin. For example, an inflammation, an irritation, or a rash.
Topical creams are primarily used to protect, repair, care for or reduce pain on the skin (e.g. due to inflammation or itching).
They are also ideal for skin conditions such as acne, psoriasis (psoriasis) and eczema. As you can see, a topical cream is more likely to be used to treat the surface.
A topical CBD cream would never reach the lower layers of the skin and the active ingredients would not be absorbed into the body.
With a topical CBD cream, the cannabidiol does not get directly into the body, as would be the case with, for example, CBD oil or CBD gummy bears.
Nevertheless, CBD’s active ingredient interacts with the endocannabinoid system. Because the receptors of that system are also in the skin. This way the skin can be moisturized and pain caused by burns or stings can be reduced.
What can CBD cream help with?
10 ways CBD cream could help!
1. Psoriasis.
2. Dry skin
3. Eczema
4. Acne
5. Scarring
6. Skin irritation
7. Skin inflammation
8. Wrinkles.
9. Arthritis
10. Pain
What side effects can occur?
Despite the many positive properties of CBD, side effects can also occur when ingested. However, these are usually only very small and rather weak compared to other substances. It’s worth remembering that CBD is considered safe by the World Health Organisation.
The most common side effects include:
- Fatigue
- Dry mouth
- Tremble
- Drowsiness
- Lethargy
- Nausea
- Diarrhoea
However, if these side effects were to occur, it would only be if the CBD gets into the body and into the bloodstream, which, as explained above, is not the case with topical creams.
It’s worth noting that you should avoid applying CBD creams, ointments or pastes to an open cut or open wound, as this could lead to infection or other unintended reactions. When using for the first time, it always makes sense to consult a doctor or pharmacist beforehand.
The correct application of a CBD cream
The use of a CBD cream is fairly simple and essentially does not differ from conventional creams. You simply have to apply the CBD extract to the appropriate place.
In contrast to other CBD products, a precise dosage cannot be specified for a cream. With oils or crystals, it is easier to say how much CBD content in mg should be taken per treatment.
However, this is much more difficult with a cream so we suggest you use common sense with CBD cream application.
It is helpful to put a certain routine into practice. You could use the cream twice a day (for example in the morning and in the evening).
Of course, it also depends on what the CBD cream is used for. If you use the cream against psoriasis, then you should probably set a certain procedure. However, if it is to relieve pain or inflammation, then the cream should be applied depending on the situation.
If you are not sure how much CBD to use or how to apply the cream, contact a doctor or pharmacist.
CBD cream experience
Most customers find the large selection of CBD creams particularly beneficial. So you can search for a product specifically for your problem. The different compositions of the creams also offer a wide variety of options.
At the end of the day, it is down to each person’s own experience with CBD creams.
There have been online testimonials from people who have used CBD creams to good effect for psoriasis. The itching was alleviated and the skin felt much better overall.
Other people have reported positive experiences with acne or herpes. Here the swellings are said to have decreased significantly faster and the pain has subsided.
Before using CBD creams, or any CBD products, its also worth obtaining further information and in this regard, people’s online testimonials (often in forums or communities) are useful. It is also essential that you look at the product’s test results.
Where can you buy such creams in the UK?
You can buy CBD creams in many online shops in the UK, or direct from the manufacturer. With the large number of products, it is not surprising that there are more and more manufacturers who are trying out the CBD market.
One well-known manufacturer of CBD creams is NordicOil. They are very popular among users and have sold many products.
Their product range is not limited the cream. You can get all sorts of other products that contain the cannabinoid CBD.
In the UK you can order almost every CBD product online from home.
CBD cream and CBD ointment - how do the products differ?
The distinction between cream and ointment is very important. In order to avoid misunderstandings, it’s worth knowing the differing properties of creams and ointments.
So... what's the difference between creams and ointments?
The basis of a cream consists of oil and water. Water-based creams are called oil-in-water creams or O / W creams, while fat-based creams are called water-in-oil or W / O creams. While the O / W cream is characterized by its cooling effect, this is not the case with the W / O cream.
In comparison, the ointments according to the pharmaceutical definition contain no or very little water. However, depending on the composition, you can absorb water. Ointments therefore provide the skin with fat and protect it in the process.
How is a CBD cream made?
A CBD cream can basically be made like a normal cream, but with the addition of cannabidiol (CBD).
We offer a more complete explanation of the process in which CBD is extracted from hemp on a dedicated page. It is usually the CBD crystals from this extraction process that is used for CBD creams.
These CBD crystals exist as a crystalline powder, which is processed into the cream with other ingredients, taking care to adhere to the CBD proportion the cream should contain.
This process can produce many different types of CBD creams, e.g. hand creams, face creams or body lotions.
What's the best CBD cream?
Choosing the best CBD product can be tricky waters to navigate. So to help you decide what's right for you, we've compiled a list of what to look for:
4 tips when buying a CBD cream
1. Buy from reputable manufacturers
There are quite a few providers in the CBD market, and the number is continually growing. That is why it is particularly important to only buy from reputable manufacturers that offer high quality.
Always choose a company that freely offers it's third party lab results. Sometimes referred to as a certificate of analysis (COA). Make sure it does not include pesticides, heavy metals, and molds.
2. Check the ingredients
Always check the ingredients carefully. It is important to ensure the product actually has CBD in it. This can be confusing as some companies will list CBD as hemp extract, as a result of frequently changing regulations. Avoid products that list hemp seeds, hempseed oil, or Cannabis sativa seed oil. These do not contain CBD. It is worth noting that these may be listed in addition to CBD, they may be listed as a main ingredient due to its much needed function as a carrier oil. Coconut oil and grapeseed oil are also common carrier oils used.
Take note of additional ingredients, tailor your choice to what you want to use the cream for. For example, if you are using cream for pain, creams that include arnica, camphor, or menthol could be good choices for you. If you want to use the cream against dry skin, for example, then the cream should definitely be able to moisturise. A cooling effect can be helpful for pain or burns. A topical cream could be helpful for acne or eczema.
In the UK there should be no detectable THC, although many countries allow a THC content below 0.2%.
It is also important that you can rule out possible allergic reactions based on your own past experience of using creams.
3. Know your CBD!
Be aware of the three different types of CBD so you can choose what's right for you. Full-spectrum CBD, Broad-spectrum CBD and CBD isolate.
4. Do your research
Talk to people who have used the product before, look at customer reviews or utilise CBD forums. CBD success stories is a good example. Two things to remember here though, a) be wary that companies can and do use fake reviews for their products, and b) your experience of CBD may well be different to someone elses, what works well for some, may not work well for others.
Conclusion
Both studies and user reports suggest that CBD cream is a safe and effective way of treating a variety of ailments.
It would appear that it is more useful for the treatment of skin and pain, rather than conditions such as depression and anxiety. Having said that, some have reported using CBD cream successfully for the latter. We have been unable to find concrete evidence for this.
CBD cream is particularly beneficial if you are prone to gastrointestinal relation side effects. This is because it is applied topically and goes not go into the digestive tract, like with CBD edibles and oil.
There have been some particularly promising studies that suggest CBD can significantly improve skin conditions (including cutaneous scarring) and can offer pain relief and reduction inflammation.
Researchers have been particularly impressed with then lack of side effects. This is because there are some prescribed skin disorder treatments that can cause significant side effects, such as depressiona and psychosis. CBD creams could be a real alternative to conventional medicines like these.
All in all, CBD cream seems like a winner! We haven't been able to find any horror stories in relation to its usage. Quite the contrary. Whilst CBD cream may not be as strong as some other CBD products, it appears to offer genuine benefits for skin and pain. In addition to this, it's relatively inexpensive in comparison to some other products and therefore a little more accessible to just 'give it a go'. Just remember to follow our tips when choosing your product!
If you have a CBD cream story, good or bad, we'd love to hear from you! Please don't hesitate to get in touch at greenandsimple@mail.com - and don't worry if you don't feel comfortable using your real name, some medical conditions are personal! We can always anonymise you.
