By: Elements Of Green
- What Exactly Are CBD Topicals?
- What Are CBD Topicals Used For?
- How Much Should I Use?
- Are There Any Application Tips?
- How Does The Body React to CBD Topicals?
- Are CBD Topicals Legal For Athletes?
- CBD Topicals For Pets?
- How Do I Select The Best Topical To Buy?
Topicals Introduction
CBD continues to be more and more popular among European consumers looking for alternative ways to manage pain, stress, anxiety, and sleep issues. This increased interest also introduces many European CBD consumers to new and innovative delivery methods. The main ways to consume or use CBD include; tinctures or oils, vaping, capsules, and topicals. One of the aspects of any new product that matters most to consumers is how the product feels. 65% of CBD users in one survey said the product felt like natural relaxation. This is potentially one of the reasons why demand for CBD products has grown at such a rapid rate. Recently, CBD topicals have quickly become a favourite amongst European CBD consumers. Elements of Green has responded by providing a dedicated page to CBD topicals sourced from Europe’s top brands.
This article will provide you with the definitive guide on selecting the best CBD topicals, including the benefits they can provide. As always, before trying something new, we recommend speaking with your doctor, medical professional, or dermatologist about the best ways to use CBD topicals.
CBD infused topicals’ increased popularity is changing the way people view CBD use in society. For example, many people who are hesitant to consume CBD view CBD topicals as a less stressful way to explore the benefits of the cannabinoid as it can be applied discretely without the need to inhale, consume or pull out a tincture bottle with a liquid dropper.
What Exactly Are CBD Topicals?
CBD topicals come in various forms; the most common are CBD creams or lotions, balms, gels, and even lip chap. Essentially, these products are infused with CBD to provide targeted relief to specific areas of the body without having to inhale, consume, or have any compounds enter the bloodstream.
CBD topicals have become so popular that even Good Morning America ran a segment covering celebrities and athletes that have used the products, in addition to what to look for in product selection and answers to common questions. The video can be seen below.
What Are CBD Topicals Used For?
CBD Topicals provide targeted relief, this makes them an ideal product for issues with skin or joint and muscle pain. Generally speaking, consumers looking to try CBD topicals have issues with the following:
- Skin Irritations
- Athlete Recovery
- Fitness Recovery
- Joint or Muscle Pain
- Eczema
- Psoriasis
- Arthritis
- Dry Skin
- Pain Management
- Headaches
Specific areas consumers use CBD topicals include:
- Neck
- Lower Back
- Elbows
- Wrists
- Hands, Fingers and Joints
- Feet
- Knees
- Temples
As reported by Rae Lland (@rae.lland) for Leafly and in consultation with the lead chemist for Heylo, Lo Friesen, we learned that CBD Topicals can be excellent for preventative measures or preventative medicine. According to Friesen, using topicals daily and multiple times throughout the day allows the body to uptake CBD quicker as well as build a CBD level in a particular area, which could prevent worsening inflammation.
Depending on what issue you specifically have, consumers can look to the added ingredients for specific relief. For example, CBD Vital Hydracalm looks to nourish dry and irritated skin while their Arthro Cool product with mountain pine and peppermint oil looks to support sore and overused muscles.
How Much Should I Use?
Runnersworld.com covered this topic in their article “Next-Generation CBD Products for Athletes,”outlining how the industry and products have evolved. Specifically, how last year’s product may have contained 200 to 400 milligrams of CBD per 2-ounce container now likely contain closer to 1,000 or more milligrams for the same 2-ounce product. As you can see, the progression is leading to more CBD concentration, which could be a direct result of consumers wanting more and more of the active ingredient.
According to our friends at Leafly, there are even strain-specific topicals that can use the power of certain terpenes and cannabinoids to provide different results. Additionally, many topicals are actually infused with ingredients many are familiar with like lavender, aloe, jojoba, avocado, vitamin E, and other popular essential oils.
Are There Any Application Tips?
Absolutely, we recommend checking the ingredients in your CBD Topical, for example, if there is peppermint or citrus included, you will not want to apply the cream or balm to your face or anywhere near your eyes. It is always recommended to clean the area you are applying the topical to and, of course, wash your hands before and after application. Some consumers have reported a better experience after taking a hot shower or using a warm cloth to help open up pores in the skin.
How Does The Body React to CBD Topicals?
Similar to internal CBD receptors within the human body, CBD topicals interact with receptors within our skin. Since CBD topicals and creams are not ingested and pass through the digestion processes, the effect can last much longer, and the onset or feeling can happen much quicker.
Are CBD Topicals Legal For Athletes?
Back in 2018, the World Anti-Doping Agency (“WADA”) removed CBD from its list of prohibited substances. It is essential to read the label of your CBD topical to determine if any THC percentage is present and further consult with the brand. Given that CBD topicals do not enter the bloodstream, it is unlikely that it would interfere with any regulatory testing; however, we recommend checking with your doctor, league or regulatory professional before using prior to or during competition.
Famous NFL player, Rob Gronkowski has been quoted that these “products changed my life” and has further partnered with a brand called CBDMEDIC in the United States, you can see Rob applying a topical CBD cream above as part of his rehab and workout regimen. His full story can be found here. Gronkowski is just one of a growing number of professional athletes that have turned to CBD and CBD topicals to treat injury and recovery from their respective sports.
Penguin CBD listed another 15 high profile athletes advocating for CBD that include; Megan Rapinoe, Nate Diaz, Derrick Morgan, Riley Cote, David Ahrens, Bubba Watson, Ryan Vanden Bussche, Jake Plummer, David Wells, Jay Williams, Chris Camozzi, Eugene Monroe, Yair Rodriguez, Marvin Washington, Mike Tyson and more.
Further, our friends at Daily CBD wrote an article titled CBD & Sports: 7 Reasons Athletes Should Consider Cannabidiol suggests athletes try CBD topicals on problem areas that contain 100 mg of CBD per ounce or more.
CBD Topicals For Pets?
There have been numerous reports and positive feedback of the benefits of CBD topicals for skin conditions and irritants for pets. For example, according to Consumer Reports, And Powers, Vice Chairman of the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Council on Biologic and Therapeutic Agents, credits CBD for easing his dog’s distress. The article continues to outline the importance of gradual dosing, start with a smaller amount, watch closely to see how your pet responds, and increase accordingly from there. Remember, it is imperative to check with your vet about the legalities of these products in your respective jurisdiction. For example, CBD is legal in the UK; however, and unfortunately for pets and pet owners, it is not currently legal to purchase pet CBD in the UK. If that isn’t a head-scratcher, we don’t know what is? If you are in Europe and are not located in the UK, we suggest checking out Element of Green’s extensive Pet CBD Product offerings to see if you can find the right fit for you and your pet.
How Do I Select The Best Topical To Buy?
Consumers need to do proper research into the various brands out there before making a purchase. We recommend exploring a variety of products on trusted marketplaces like Elements of Green that have done extensive due diligence into the brands and have also reviewed the Certificates of Analysis (“COAs”). This ensures the products actually have the ingredients and components that they say they have. Ask questions! Reach out to the brands, ask them what they recommend, and why? Beyond that, check into customer reviews, you are not alone, many people are shopping for CBD topicals and have left reviews on products for your benefit. Get social, check social media channels for influencers who have tried these types of products, Youtube, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook Groups. It can be beneficial with detailed product reviews and further commentary on the particular product you are exploring.
