How to Read CBD Labels

There’s a lot of terminology that comes with picking out a CBD product. Not all CBD is created equal, so it’s important to know what to look for when you’re reading a product’s label. We’re here to help you understand the key elements of what goes into CBD products so you’ll be able to make the best decision for your wellness.

Hemp Seed Oil vs. Hemp Extract

Sure, both come from the same plant, but hemp oil and hemp extract vary quite a bit. Onyx + Rose features premium hemp extract in all of our products. Full plant hemp extract contains many beneficial cannabinoids, which are lacking in hemp seed oil. Hemp seed oil is made by extracting oil from raw hemp seeds. Our hemp extract on the other hand uses a more complex extraction multi-step process that uses more of the full plant. Hemp seed oil extraction is simple and relatively inexpensive, whereas CO2 extraction used when making full plant hemp extract takes longer and requires highly specialized equipment and training.

Always look for hemp extract on your CBD labels so you know you’re getting the most out of your product.

Full or Broad Spectrum

CBD products are labeled either Full or Broad Spectrum. Full Spectrum uses unaltered CBD right from the hemp plant. With Full Spectrum, there can be very low traces of THC, so if you’re worried about passing a drug test, we wouldn’t recommend using a Full Spectrum product. There are usually other compounds from the hemp plant present in Full Spectrum CBD, which is where the entourage effect comes into play. This means that the other components of the plant are working together to make the CBD you’re taking even more effective.

Broad Spectrum products use Full Spectrum hemp oil that is processed a bit more to remove any THC. Broad Spectrum products are best for those that want to pass a drug test, as there is no THC present. You’ll still get the entourage effect when taking Broad Spectrum, as other components of the hemp plant are still present.

What do the Numbers Mean?

Just like a nutrition label, there will be a few numbers to keep an eye out on the back of your CBD product. Potency in CBD oil products depends on how they are formulated. While it may seem intuitive to check the volume of a product and base potency solely based on that, the most important thing to look at is the milligrams of CBD. A 4 ounce, 1000 mg bottle of CBD oil and a 2 ounce, 1000 mg bottle of CBD both offer a total of 1000 mg. However, the difference in volume leads to differences in potency if you were to consume a 1 mL dropper of each. A 1 mL dropper from the bigger 4 ounce, 1000 mg bottle would actually be half as potent as a 1 ml dropper from the 2 ounce, 1000 mg bottle. Bigger doesn’t always mean better, so be sure to understand how much CBD you’re getting in your products. Depending on how strong you want your dose, or what agrees with your body, it takes a little trial and error. Check out our blog on CBD potency to understand how to get the best amount of CBD for your needs.

Quality Standards

Not all the information you want is able to fit on the label of a CBD product. A batch number or QR code is usually included on the packaging. This will give you the opportunity to check out the third-party lab testing on the product that you have.

The Onyx + Rose website offers a search bar to find your product’s lab reports on our website. Transparency is everything to us, so we make it easy for you to learn more about the exact CBD that you’re taking.

Although reading a CBD label can seem a little daunting, by focusing on a few key items you’ll be sure that you’re getting the best CBD for your wellness ritual. Make sure your product uses pure Hemp Extract, like all of our O+R products do. Depending on your needs, understanding the difference between broad and full-spectrum CBD can make all the difference in your purchase. Don’t forget to check your serving size and for a little more info you can always take a look at the product’s lab report.