What are CBD Topicals?

CBD topicals are products containing cannabidiol (CBD) that you apply to your skin, as opposed to consume orally. 

CBD is a cannabinoid found in the hemp plant (hemp is cannabis that contains less than 0.3% THC by dry weight). 

When applied topically, research suggests CBD may have therapeutic potential for pain, inflammation, acne, psoriasis, eczema, jaw pain, and dry skin.

Why Shop CBD Topicals from Natural Ways CBD?

At Natural Ways CBD, we only carry products that contain less than 0.3% THC and have been tested by a 3rd-party lab to verify their safety and potency. 

But legal, safe, and effective products are table stakes for any CBD brand — what truly sets us apart is our:

• Selection — We offer an extensive product line under our own brand name: Natural Ways CBD. But we aren’t limited to carrying our own products; we also curate the best of what other companies have to offer. This means you get more options to choose from without needing to spend more time vetting products: you can confidently select an option and know that it will be safe and effective. 
• Experience — Although we pride ourselves on providing a great online CBD shopping experience, Natural Ways CBD isn’t just an online business. In fact, we have six brick-and-mortar retail stores in the Houston, Texas area. Because we talk to customers face-to-face every day, we receive immediate and detailed feedback about how our products are working, allowing us to continuously improve our products. The end result? The CBD topicals and other products you buy from us are what’s actually working for real people, not some formula we think works. 
• Values —  We put people over profit. Our company was started after the owners experienced a medical scare with a family member and witnessed how CBD products helped. We’re dedicated to making natural wellness available to all; we do that by offering the highest-quality products at fair prices.

Are CBD Topicals Legal?

The 2018 Farm Bill made hemp-derived cannabinoids federally legal, including CBD. Therefore, CBD topicals are legal on the federal level. However, state-by-state legality varies — always check our state laws before you buy CBD online.

Types of CBD Topicals: Full-Spectrum vs. Broad-Spectrum vs. Isolate

There are three main types of CBD extract used in CBD topicals and other products: full-spectrum CBD, broad-spectrum CBD, and CBD isolate.

In its natural form, CBD extract contains cannabinoids such as cannabigerol (CBG), cannabinol (CBN), and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (less than 0.3% to comply with federal law), as well as terpenes, which are naturally occurring compounds in the cannabis sativa plant.

Other cannabinoids and terpenes can be considered secondary elements that are part of CBD extract. 

Different types of CBD contain different secondary elements in addition to CBD:

• Full-spectrum CBD – Consists of CBD extract as it naturally occurs. Includes other cannabinoids, including THC (legally less than 0.3%), and terpenes. 
• Broad-spectrum CBD – Consists of CBD extract with other cannabinoids and terpenes, but with no THC. 
• CBD isolate – Consists solely of CBD, with other cannabinoids and terpenes removed.

Benefits of CBD Topicals

Research suggests topical CBD may have several potential therapeutic uses:

Pain & Inflammation

Research suggests that CBD may have anti-inflammatory and analgesic (pain-relieving) effects, and CBD is frequently used for many different types of pain.  

Though CBD is typically taken orally in an oil or edible form, science suggests CBD is also able to render benefits in topical form. One study found that topical CBD may help with pain caused by nerve damage. 

Many people also use topical CBD to promote mobility and address the soreness that ensues after a hard workout.

Acne, Psoriasis, and Eczema

In addition to promoting physical relaxation and soothing, CBD topicals may help with skin conditions.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, CBD may help with acne, psoriasis, and eczema by reducing the inflammation that these conditions cause. 

Furthermore, the AAD states that CBD and THC topicals won’t cause any sort of adverse reaction on the skin — at least, not due to the CBD or THC. 

Jaw Pain & TMD

Research indicates that topical CBD may help with the jaw pain that results from temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD, also sometimes called TMJ). 

The temporomandibular joint connects your jawbone to your skull. If you have TMD, you may feel pain and experience compromised movement of the jaw.

Dry Skin

Research suggests that CBD may have hydrating properties for the skin – and these benefits are amplified if you’re using a high-quality CBD salve made with other naturally hydrating ingredients. 

How Do CBD Topicals Work?

CBD works by interacting with your body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is a receptor system responsible for regulating every vital function in your body used for moment-to-moment functioning. 

There are two main types of receptors in your ECS:

• CB1 receptors, responsible for managing how CBD interacts with your mind
• CB2 receptors, responsible for managing how CBD interacts with your body

Each type of receptor is located in different areas of the body, but there are some cannabinoid receptors near the surface of the skin. 

Although it doesn’t get deep enough into the skin to reach the bloodstream, topical CBD can interact with these receptors.

However, unlike some cannabinoids, CBD does not create a physical response with either main type of receptor. Instead, it plays a general support role for your ECS. 

Research indicates that CBD may prevent endocannabinoid breakdown and alter the potency of endocannabinoids, thereby allowing your ECS to more effectively keep your body in balance. 

For the skin, specifically, research indicates that topical CBD, due to its interactions with your endocannabinoid system, may “be a potential therapeutic option for acute and chronic inflammatory skin diseases, including atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis and psoriasis.”

Are CBD Topicals Safe?

A research review found that CBD is generally safe to use, and this is true of topical as well as oral CBD. 

CBD topicals do not reach the bloodstream, and therefore will not cause the types of side effects associated with oral products. 

However, there are a few precautions you’ll want to take when using CBD topicals:

• Don’t ingest them; topicals are made for external use only. 
• To avoid irritation and/or infection, don’t apply topicals to sores, open wounds, or broken skin. 
• Understand that some ingredients in topicals may cause skin irritation; this underscores the importance of carefully selecting a product based on the ingredients you know do and do not work with your skin. 

How To Use CBD Topicals

Best practices for applying topicals will vary by product. However, a general rule of thumb is to thoroughly apply whichever CBD topical you’re using to the affected area.

As we covered in the section above, CBD topicals are generally safe, but you’ll still want to check with your doctor before using them to ensure they’re the right choice for you. You’ll also want to avoid applying CBD topicals to damaged skin. 

Additionally, once you buy a new topical, you’ll want to test how it works with your skin by conducting a small patch test: rub a little bit of the CBD topical into your wrist and monitor for any irritation before applying it elsewhere.