There are 1001 different CBD products on the shelves of the dispensary near me, and every week there seems to be something new.
CBD started off as oil you simply drop under your tongue. But nowadays you can find CBD infused in edibles, shampoos, pet food, bath bombs, and a whole host of innovative products. You can even buy pre-rolled CBD hemp joints that won’t get you high.
A recent addition to this ever-growing list are CBD lotions and creams, or as they’re known in the industry - CBD topicals.
Topicals are defined as any kind of treatment that is applied directly to the affected area of the body via the skin. And the CBD topical trade is booming.
CBD topicals in a dispensary near me
Table of Contents
You might be wondering how to purchase CBD topicals in dispensaries near me?
The truth is, anyone who is getting their recreational marijuana supply from dispensaries owes a nod of gratitude to the three little letters “CBD”.
You see, it has long been known that cannabis in various forms can provide us with therapeutic benefits. Even before the birth of Christ, various cultures around the world were taking advantage of the medicinal properties of the cannabis plant.
Ancient civilizations in India and China were using the flower and seeds from the hemp plants to treat mental health conditions, as well as problems related to digestion, appetite, and much more.
With the help of modern science, we now know that CBD is the active ingredient that provides much of the healing value of cannabis.
Despite various laws and regulations, this tradition of using cannabis as medicine has continued through the millennia. And in the US, many states first began to soften their laws around cannabis after evidence of its medical potential began to strengthen. These were the first steps towards the legal status of cannabis in America, and without CBD it may never have happened .
What is CBD?
CBD is short for cannabidiol, and it is part of a family of plant compounds known as cannabinoids.
There are over 100 known cannabinoids, and a lot of them are found in high concentrations in the cannabis plant.
As it turns out, all animals have a system in their body called the endocannabinoid system. This system is responsible for bringing balance to many of the body’s vital functions and making sure they’re ticking over as they should be. It does this by releasing cannabinoids into the body at just the right time.
If your body is not producing enough cannabinoids, things can start to get out of sync, and this is where CBD products come into play.
What can I use CBD lotions and creams for?
CBD can be used to help tackle a vast number of conditions, but topicals narrow down CBD’s range.
Healthy skin
Studies have found that CBD can improve the production of collagen. This can make skin and muscles firmer, as well as reduce the appearance of scars, wrinkles, and skin discoloration. CBD also reduces redness and inflammation in the skin.
Pain/Inflammation
CBD topicals are often used to address pain or inflammation in specific areas of the body. Studies have shown CBD’s effectiveness in treating sore joints, arthritis, and other chronic pains.
Acne
Evidence suggests that CBD could help fight both the cause and signs of acne. Its anti-inflammation properties reduce the red and sore skin caused by acne. Scientists also believe CBD can help the body regulate the amount of oil produced in the skin - too much oil is often a key cause of acne.
Post-work-out burn
Athletes from multiple sports are coming together to sing the praises of CBD to relieve aching joints and muscles after a tough workout session. They say it helps them relax, recover quicker, and gives them the ability to get back in the gym quicker and feeling fresher.
Our Best Picks
Chinese Hemp - CBD Massage Oil
Massages are pretty damn relaxing at the worst of times, but adding in the power of CBD takes them to a whole new level.
From up-and-coming CBD brand Chinese Hemp, which blends the wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine with cutting edge western science, this CBD massage oil is the perfect addition to your wind-down routine.
Massaging the oil deep into the skin and muscles gives your body the best chance of absorbing the goodness of CBD. Infused with olive oil and grapeseed oil, your skill will feel rejuvenated and your muscles and joints will be soothed of all aches and pains.
Chinese Hemp CBD Massage Oil contains Omega 3, 6 fatty acids, Vitamins E, B1, B2 and Mineral Salts. It is made from 99.5% pure CBD isolate and has zero THC.
Khus + Khus - COPIOUS BODY SERUM
Whether it dermatitis, stiff, dry skin, or aching muscles, Khus + Khus Copius Body Serum has you covered.
As if the natural strength of the cannabis plant wasn’t enough, this serum is packed with more botanicals than you can shake a stick at, including jatamansi, myrrh, frankincense, lavender, ashwagandha, nettle, black cumin seed oil, hemp, olive, and licorice. Phew!
This array of medicinal and ayurvedic ingredients puts this CBD topical in a league of its own.
Phillip B - CBD SCALP + BODY OIL
This broad-spectrum Scalp and Body oil combines the power of CBD with the lesser-known cannabinoid CBG, dubbed as “the mother of all cannabinoids.”
Formulated with the terpenes Humulene, Nerolidol, Ocimene, (vital components of the essential oils of the cannabis plant), this oil contains the added benefits of aromatherapy to help boost healthy skin.
This fast-absorbing and deeply moisturizing oil immediately gets to work on the sign of redness and irritation in the skin, and the unique formulation of Jojoba Seed Oil, Olive Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Sesame Oil, and Walnut Oil nourish and moisturize.
Each bottle of Phillip B’s Scape and Body Oil contains 100mg of CBD.
IldiPekar - Tissue Repair Serum
This high-end, luxury face and body repair serum contains 100% natural ingredients. Designed to rebuild your skin cells and give you a nourished and glowing look and feel. IldiPekar is on a mission to fight redness and help your skin to build healthy cells and tissue fibers.
As well as CBD oil, this tissue repair serum is packed full of ingredients your skin will love, including Aloe Vera Juice, Vitamin C, Vitamin B3, and Hyaluronic Acid to plump, and nourish the skin.
Kana - Lavender Sleeping Mask
Targeted at blemishes, inflammation, dry or oily skin, or skill that’s just lacking vitality, Kana claims their overnight skin therapy will ‘Give your glow a head start.’
There are many questions surrounding how effectively CBD is absorbed through the skin, and by applying last thing at night and giving your skin plenty of time to absorb the active ingredients, Kana might well be on to something here.
Stacking up the benefits, Kana’s lavender sleeping mask contains 28 active botanicals that get busy giving life and luminosity back to your skin will you doze - bringing a new definition to the term ‘beauty sleep.’
Will CBD get me high?
No. But there is a caveat here.
CBD itself will not get you high. The feeling of euphoria, relaxation and heightened enjoyment that is normal associated with cannabis is produced by a different cannabinoid known as THC.
Most CBD products are made from a variety of cannabis called hemp. Hemp has naturally low levels of THC, not enough to get you stoned.
But many CBD products are made from marijuana and will contain enough THC to produce an effect.
Here’s what to look out for:
Isolate
CBD Isolate has everything from the plant stripped away. It is just pure CBD and nothing else. It contains 0% THC. No high.
Broad Spectrum
Broad Spectrum contains a range of other cannabinoids, as well as terpenes (the compounds that make plants smell nice), essential oils, and other natural goodness from the plant. But again, 0% THC. No high.
Full Spectrum
Full Spectrum CBD contains everything that’s in Broad Spectrum, but with the THC left in. This can be anything from trace amounts of THC (less than 1% - not enough to get you high) up to as much as 10-15% THC.
What to consider when buying CBD topicals
Potency
Unlike orally ingested CBD products, when you apply topicals to your skin, your body does not absorb 100% of the active ingredient. If you want to get a good effect from your topicals it’s best to go with a high potency product
Source
Organic or fertilized, outdoor or greenhouse, mom and pops brand or faceless multinationalcorporations, US-grown or import - the choice is yours. Whatever your preference, there’s a CBD brand out there for you.
Consistency
This is probably the most important thing to consider when buying CBD products. The perception of the industry has been damaged by unscrupulous players entering the market with unreliable and inconsistent products.
It’s always best to go with brands that conduct 3rd party lab tests on their products. This means you’ll know exactly how much CBD is in each product, as well as THC and other cannabinoids. Peace of mind.
The bottom line
There is still a way to go when it comes to CBD research, and for now, topicals are at the bottom of the queue.
Although the current evidence looks positive, many questions remain about the effectiveness of CBD, and specifically how well it absorbs through the skin.
Still, there are tons of consumers out there who swear by the effectiveness of CBD creams, lotions, and rubs, from MMA athletes to Martha Stewart herself.
Why not try out CBD topicals from your local Seattle Dispensaries and find out what all the buzz is about?!