When you buy CBD oil and look at the label, you’ll notice it contains other ingredients aside from CBD. One of these is an oil, usually in the form of vegetable oil or vegetable glycerin. This article covers the best carrier oils for CBD products to help you make a more informed purchase.
There are different oils that a brand can use, from hemp seeds, avocado, olive to coconut oil. The function of these oils is to help deliver CBD to the body and enhance absorption.
We’ll take you through these different carrier oils and the preferred choice for when you want to make a purchase.
What are Carrier Oils and Why is it Important for CBD Products?
A carrier oil, also called a base oil, is a plant-derived oil used to carry an essential oil or a supplement like CBD oil. Carrier oils are used together with essential oils because otherwise, these essential oils may irritate the skin and digestive tract.
Carrier oils have a mild taste and are lightweight, making them the best addition to essential oils. They are similar to human skill oils in that they help carry the CBD molecules into the body.
CBD products must have base oils. These base oils will act as solvents to dissolve the CBD molecules making them easily absorbed through the skin. Cannabinoids are soluble in fats and oil. So, when CBD dissolves in a carrier oil, it will take the CBD into the body tissues.
In addition, carrier oils will make CBD products easier to dose. Pure CBD is usually in the form of a white powder or crystals. It’s going to be difficult measuring out CBD grain by grain. The easier route for manufacturers is to dissolve these CBD grains into oil-based solutions. That way, it’s easy to measure out an accurate, consistent amount of CBD once it dissolves evenly in the oil.
Also, keep in mind that carrier oil is different from CBD essential oil. Carrier oils majorly help improve the absorption and bioavailability of CBD. Essential oils, however, are mainly for added benefits and aroma.
Best Types of Carrier Oils Found in CBD Oil Products
There are different types of oil that manufacturers can decide to use as a carrier oil. One of the biggest influencers when determining the best carrier oil is bioavailability. Other factors include consistency, cost, flavor, taste, etc.
Bioavailability refers to the amount of CBD your body processes compared to the amount you ingest.
The main determinant of bioavailability in oil is the type of fat molecules it contains. So, what are the best carrier oils for CBD products?
#1 MCT Oil
This oil is considered one of the best carrier oils ever for CBD. MCT, short for medium-chain triglycerides, is an easily digestible fat. It’s usually gotten from coconut and is sometimes called fractionated coconut oil. Fractionated coconut oil means coconut oil with the longer fat molecules removed to isolate the smaller fat molecules like MCTs.
Coconut oil contains abundant saturated fats, particularly medium-chain triglycerides. It’s considered one of the most preferred choices for highly potent and stronger CBD oils for many several reasons. Some of these include having little to no flavor, making it perfect for CBD oil tinctures. Also, when compared to other oil, it’s thinner in texture. This fact makes it easy to measure and dispense.
MCT oil also provides many benefits on its own. These include antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, enhanced cognition, improved skin health, and provision of essential fatty acids.
#2 Hemp Seed Oil
This oil is also among the best carrier oils for CBD products. Hemp seed oil and CBD come from the same plant. However, they are different things altogether. For instance, CBD is from the flower, while hemp seed oil is from, as the name suggests, the seeds.
Furthermore, hemp seeds contain fewer cannabinoids and terpenes than hemp flowers. However, there are also beneficial compounds present in the seeds.
Manufacturers use hemp seed oil as a base for CBD oil because it encourages the entourage effect. This entourage effect suggests that using many plant parts together is more effective than just one. It also applies to combining different cannabinoids of the hemp plant instead of using only CBD.
#3 Olive Oil
Olive oil is a favorite carrier oil for most people. It contains oleic acids, which are powerful antioxidants. It’s also rich in iron, vitamin K, vitamin E, and antioxidants.
Olive oil is well-researched and has many established health benefits. Some of these include improved heart health, anti-inflammatory properties, a boost in immune functions, and many others. Olive oil has a somewhat fruity flavor and is commonly used for cooking.
#4 Grape Seed Oil
As you already guessed, this is an extract from the seeds present in grapes. The grape seed oil has a light fruity flavor and contains high unsaturated fats.
Although it’s a less common carrier oil than MCT or hemp seed oil, it’s a great choice. It has a fast absorption rate and high solubility.
Also, it contains compounds such as linoleic acid, tocopherol, oleic acid, carotenoids, and many small, medium, and long-chain triglycerides. This oil is well-known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
#5 Avocado Oil
This oil is increasingly becoming popular among manufacturers in the CBD industry. Avocado is popular as cooking oil for its rich flavor and has many beneficial properties to health. This oil is an extract from the pulp of the fruit. It’s high in healthy fats, oleic acid, Vitamins A, B, D, E, and a host of antioxidants. Avocado oil has anti-inflammatory properties and is beneficial to the skin, heart, and eyes.
Which Carrier Oil Should You Pick?
The ultimate question is, which one should you pick from the list of carrier oils mentioned above? We strongly advise people to choose MCT oil. Not only because it’s regarded as the best carrier oil around, but it also provides the users with many additional health benefits.
Almost all the best CBD tinctures in the market that are found to provide relief from pain, inflammation, anxiety, stress or almost any other remedies contain MCT oil as the base oil. The oil is easily absorbed, has little to no taste, and stands out from other carrier oils.
Hemp seed oil or Avocado oil is also a great option for other use cases. The Hemp seed oil on its own has a long list of benefits such as improved skin, lower blood pressure and many more.
So, it’s always a good idea to try the oil you prefer. By comparing the results, select the one that gave you the most positive outcome.
Final Opinion
Choosing the best carrier oil for CBD products depends on many factors, like the type of CBD product, personal preferences, and allergies.
Overall, the best carrier oil around is MCT oil. However, if you try it out and don’t like it, you can always choose another one. The most important thing here is to make an informed decision. Consider factors such as bioavailability, taste, and nutritional content before making a purchase.
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