Since hemp-derived CBD has been legalized, you can find the products everywhere, from gas stations to grocery stores. And as more studies show the benefits, everyone wants to know if this miracle compound can help them.
The problem is that a market this saturated is often full of brands that aren’t pure and products that are confusing.
For example, the same shelf holds CBD oils and CBD tinctures, which look exactly the same.
So how do you choose between the two or will get to know about the benefits of cbc tincture, and at the same time, how can you tell you’re getting a legitimate, high-quality brand? We have the tips to help you narrow down your selection and walk away with a winning CBD product.
1. Oils Versus Tinctures
To start with, let’s break down the difference between an oil and a tincture. Yes, they look the same, but although there are similarities, there are also some key differences.
Both oils and tinctures are designed to be ingested sublingually (under the tongue) or mixed with your meals. It’s a simple, fast way to get the compounds into your bloodstream within minutes.
Beyond that, choosing between an oil or tincture requires learning what makes up each one.
Getting to Know the Products
When you buy a CBD oil, you’re getting a blend of the actual CBD extract combined with a carrier oil. The oil itself doesn’t do anything special. It’s necessary to house the CBD extract and any other compounds that come from the plant.
The manufacturer extracts the compounds and mixes them with the carrier oil. Finally, they may add some essential oils to flavor the liquid.
Oils Are Oil-Based, Tinctures Are Alcohol-Based
A tincture, on the other hand, uses alcohol-based extracts to remove the compounds from the plant. The compounds are removed and then stored with more high-proof alcohol to create the final tincture.
Most tinctures contain anywhere from 60 to 70 percent alcohol. The alcohol base helps the product last longer, but it also gives them a bitter taste that even essential oils can’t hide.
For that reason, it’s common to find additives like sweeteners and flavoring in a tincture. To balance these less-healthy ingredients with something that attracts consumers, companies add vitamins and supplements or herbs. That allows them to market the tincture as more than a CBD product, too.
2. Check the Manufacturer’s Reputation
Depending on the product, your CBD oil likely has flavonoids and terpenes, too. As long as they’re extracted with a precision method, the manufacturing process keeps high quality and bioavailability.
This is the part where the difference between brands becomes crucial. Usually, drugstore CBD products don’t have the extensive, cautious extraction measures a higher-quality brand went through.
If the oil versus alcohol base doesn’t matter to you, the next step is to check the manufacturer’s reputation online and look for a COA (Certificate of Analysis) on the label or website.
A COA means the product was tested and approved by an outside laboratory without a stake in the sales. This third-party system lets you know the process and product have met rigorous requirements before they hit the shelves.
Of course, if you want to know exactly what’s in your tincture or oil, you could make it yourself. As long as you have cannabis and high-proof alcohol, the process isn’t complicated, and you’ll know you can trust the finished product.
3. Decide On Your Goals
CBD has substantial potential to help the human body in various ways. However, certain products are designed to pinpoint specific features and conditions.
Consider these distinctive factors as you’re searching for your next CBD product:
- Are you fine with the bitter taste of a tincture, or do you prefer something that tastes better?
- When you ingest oil-based products (or alcohol-based), do you usually have stomach issues?
- Do you have a goal that an essential oil extract could help (lavender for calming, peppermint for alertness, etc.)?
You’ve found a reputable manufacturer that sells oils and tinctures. The last step is to take those answers to your store or online shopping cart to find the right product.
Someone looking for help with sleep and who prefers a tasty flavor would benefit from an oil infused with lavender extract. A shopper with oil sensitivity needs a tincture.
Conclusion
Armed with the knowledge of the differences between oils and tinctures and how to find the best products, it’s time to choose the best one for you. Whether you’re starting on your CBD journey or trying something new, the benefits could be life-changing!