Over the past decade, societal attitudes toward hemp and CBD have changed significantly. More recently, CBD oil has become incredibly popular due to its versatility. With so many options for applying and using CBD, it is important for everyone to find the best administration method for their specific needs.
What are carrier oils?
In order to ingest CBD in the form of an oil or tincture, it has to be absorbed into a fatty oil that helps your body intake the cannabinoids. This fatty oil is usually referred to as a carrier oil – an oil that can absorb the CBD and then let it re-dissolve back into your system. It is important for everyone to know what a carrier oil is, why MCT oil makes a good carrier oil, and why it works particularly well for hemp and CBD extracts. The most common carrier oils for CBD are:
MCT oil
Hemp seed oil
Olive oil
Sunflower oil
Avocado oil
How are carrier oils for hemp and CBD different from those used for essential oils?
The difference between using a carrier oil for an essential oil blend (something like ginger or lavender) and using a carrier oil for infusing hemp or CBD, is the reasoning for doing so. You use a carrier oil with an essential oil blend to dilute the mixture, whereas you use a carrier oil with CBD & hemp to help your body absorb the cannabinoids & terpenes and enjoy the benefits.
Why choose MCT oil as a carrier oil for hemp extracts, CBD isolates, or other cannabinoids?
For those who are wondering, “can I use MCT oil as a carrier oil,” the answer is, yes! MCT oil is colorless and odorless while having an optimal fat content, making it an excellent carrier oil. If you are asking, “what is MCT oil,” it’s important to first understand the MCT part.
What are MCTs?
MCT stands for medium-chain triglyceride. This refers to the specific length of fatty acid chains called triglycerides. These triglycerides act as the actual carrier. MCts are most commonly found in coconuts.
Why does MCT oil work so well with CBD and hemp products?
MCT oil is commonly used with CBD and hemp products because MCT has a relatively small molecular structure. As a result, MCTs are absorbed more easily by the human body. For these reasons, MCT oil works very well as a carrier for CBD and other cannabinoids.
Hemp extract and MCT oil make a particularly strong combination due to the fact that MCT acts to increase the bioavailability of CBD within the oil. When cannabinoids like CBD, CBG, CBN, etc. are broken down, they are stored in fat. Therefore, they tend to work the best when they are administered with fat, such as MCT oil.
Is hemp oil a good carrier oil?
Yes! Hemp seed oil can also be used as a carrier oil even though it may not have the same absorption rate as MCT oil. Using hemp seed oil is a great alternative to MCT oil if you are using topical or facial products.
How about olive oil as a carrier oil?
Organic olive oil is a great option for use as a carrier oil because it is high in fat like MCT oil but it’s also a bit less heavy and dense of an oil. This is why we use olive oil as the carrier oil in our Full Spectrum CBD Muscle Cream!
Consider the carrier oil when shopping for CBD products
There are a lot of options out there when it comes to CBD products. And lots of different carrier oils. Therefore, it is important for to understand not only how to choose the right CBD product, but also how to factor carrier oils into that decision making process. Some of the factors to consider include:
Absorption rate: think about the ability of the carrier oil to absorb into the skin. It is possible for the skin to absorb some carrier oils better than others.
Skin sensitivity: it is also important to consider skin sensitivity. Some people have more sensitive skin than others, particularly if they have a chronic medical condition. Try to find a carrier oil that is not going to irritate your skin.
Shelf life: some carrier oils are able to be stored for longer amounts of time than others without expiring.
Carrier oils for essential oils
Historically, carrier oils have been used to dilute essential oils. These oils are designed to literally carry the essential oil blend or extract to your skin and assist your skin with absorption. Certain carrier oils can increase the efficacy of the essential oil. However, the biggest reason to use carrier oils for herbs and spices is to dilute essential oils that can be particularly potent. Some essential oils are so potent that they might cause irritation when they are applied directly to the skin. Carrier oils are used to dilute these types of essential oils and prevent this irritation from taking place.
The vast majority of carrier oils are only lightly scented or completely unscented. Therefore, they will not interfere with the therapeutic properties of essential oils.
Which carrier oil you use when making CBD oil is a big consideration!
If you want to get the most out of your CBD products, then make sure that you use the right carrier oil. If you’re buying CBD oil – make sure you know what carrier oil is being used. MCT oil can work wonders for your CBD products, but it may not work in every application. Other carrier oils include but are not limited to hemp seed oil, olive oil, avocado oil and sunflower oil. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us.
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