5 Best Carrier Oils for CBD
What is a Carrier Oil?
Carrier oils are various oils that may be used to produce CBD oil from CBD isolate or distillate powder. They help create stable, easy-to-use products with some additional health benefits.
One may use CBD isolate or CBD distillate to create CBD products. However, these have a very high concentration of CBD and are unfit for direct consumption. Even if one extracts CBD using CO2 extraction, it will still result in a high-concentration product with poor bioavailability and would be difficult to use for health benefits.
Since CBD is naturally soluble in oils, it is a common practice to dissolve it in some oil to create an end product. These oils in which CBD extract, CBD isolate, or CBD distillate are dissolved, are called carrier oils.
Impact of Adding Carrier Oils to CBD
It is worth understanding that CBD distillate or broad-spectrum CBD is also rich in terpenes, polyphenols, and essential oils. Many of these compounds are highly volatile, and they tend to degrade quickly, whereas using carrier oil reduces their volatility and enhances stability.
Additionally, carrier oils may also help boost the bioavailability of CBD products. Most often, people would take CBD oil sublingually, and part of the CBD would be quickly absorbed. However, another part enters the intestines, where CBD carrier oils may help protect CBD from the harsh effects of gastric juices.
Benefits of CBD Carrier Oils
Improved stability
These oils form the base of the product, to which one may add CBD isolate or distillate to create the end product. It is also common practice to add various terpenes and essential oils to enhance the aroma and health benefits of CBD products. Mixing these various compounds with carrier oils helps create a much stable product, as carrier oils are not volatile and have an excellent shelf life.
Improved absorption
CBD is naturally soluble in lipids and does not dissolve well in water (except specifically created water-soluble CBD). Thus, it is natural to use carrier oils to dissolve CBD isolate. These carrier oils also help protect CBD from gastric juices and improve CBD’s absorption through the intestine.
Further, dissolving CBD in oils may also help prolong its action. Without carrier oils, whatever CBD makes it to the bloodstream would be quickly metabolized by the liver. On the contrary, CBD dissolved in carrier oils takes much longer to metabolize. It may also accumulate in greater amounts in various fatty tissues.
The unique mechanism of action
Fats are absorbed and metabolized quite differently by the body than carbs, water-soluble nutrients. After digestion, fats are taken up by the lymphatic system. In contrast, water-soluble ingredients go directly to the liver. By bypassing the liver and using lymphatic tissues, fat-soluble substances may have unique health benefits. For example, most lymph is rich in immune cells. Thus, fat-soluble agents may have more significant immune-modulating action.
Easier dosing
Theoretically, one may consume CBD isolate powder. However, since CBD is needed just in a few milligrams a day, dosing CBD isolate or distillate would be almost impossible. On the other hand, dosing CBD oil is much easier, and one can use a few drops of CBD oil a day.
Helps provide unique products
These days it is a common practice to create CBD products for specific needs. It is achieved by adding terpenes from other plants like tea trees, Spanish sage, and citrus fruits. Thus, some CBD products may help calm the nerves, while others may help uplift the mood. Therefore, carrier oils help create value-added products. Moreover, not only CBD but most terpenes also dissolve pretty well in oils.
Apart from terpenes, some CBD manufacturers may add essential oils to CBD products, like eucalyptus oil and lavender oil. However, essential oils cannot be consumed directly as they may irritate mucus membranes. But using carrier oil helps create effective and safe products.
Added health benefits of carrier oils for CBD
Carrier oils are not inert. They may also have their health benefits. Some may be rich in high-quality fatty acids. For example, olive oil is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids and may help reduce inflammation. Some oils may be rich in fat-soluble vitamins, minerals, and so on.
List of carrier oils and their benefits
Hemp seed oil
It is perhaps the most natural choice. The hemp seed oil contains cannabinoids only in traces, and it may contain other beneficial compounds in small amounts, like terpenes. Further, it has an excellent balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. It means that using it as a carrier oil may help boost the “entourage effect” of the end product. It is especially preferred when creating full-spectrum or broad-spectrum CBD oil. Thus, it could be regarded as one of the best carrier oils for CBD.
MCT oil
It is usually created from coconut but may be extracted from palm kernel oil. This oil differs from all other types of oil in the way that it has high amounts of saturated fats. It does not contain inflammation-causing omega-6 fatty acids. Saturated fats are good for health in small amounts, and they also appear to improve gut health. Saturated fats also absorb quite well and quickly. It is also among the inexpensive options.
Olive oil
It is the most well-known healthy oil that is exceptionally high in omega-3 fatty acids. It is also among the lighter oils due to its high content of monounsaturated fats. Moreover, it is one of the most well-studied oils. One of the distinct benefits of using olive oil as a carrier oil is that it absorbs pretty well through the skin. Thus, it may be a good choice for creating CBD oil for topical use. In addition, olive oil is thought to boost immunity, reduce inflammation, and help prevent age-related cognitive decline.
Avocado oil
It is another carrier oil gaining popularity. It is especially good for topical use, as it absorbs readily via the skin. However, it is among the thicker oils, and not everyone may like it. It is also among the most expensive carrier oils. Nonetheless, it is worth understanding that many people may love the idea of consuming avocado oil along with CBD due to its numerous perceived health benefits.
Arnica oil
CBD is gaining popularity among physically active people and athletes. These are individuals prone to sprains and strains. Arnica oil may be preferred for topical use for reducing inflammation, muscle soreness. In addition, it possesses some pain-killing properties. However, arnica oil may not be a good choice for oral formulations as it may cause side effects at higher doses.
Manufacturing CBD Products
CBD oils are highly popular for a reason; they are pretty straightforward to produce. Thus, one may buy CBD isolate or CBD distillate (THC-free broad-spectrum) in bulk. The next step would be deciding on the carrier oil. Thus, one may dissolve CBD isolate or distillate in a carrier oil in the necessary amount to create the desired concentration, and the CBD oil is ready! For added benefit or product differentiation, one may add terpenes to it. Generally, terpenes are added in a very small amount (rarely exceeding 2%). They enhance the aroma and health benefits of the final product.
About us
At Essentia Pura, we specialize in manufacturing high-quality white-label CBD and private-label CBD products, helping businesses launch their own unique CBD brands. With cutting-edge hemp extraction methods and a commitment to compliance and quality, we support companies in the nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. Whether you’re looking for ready-to-market formulations or custom solutions, we’re here to help you succeed in the growing CBD market.