Topical CBD vs Oral CBD: What’s the Difference?
Summarize
The CBD industry now offers a wide range of products, and most fall into two categories: topical or oral. The pharmacy savings company SingleCare tracks various statistics and conducts its own research. A SingleCare survey found that almost half of CBD users prefer topicals, oral CBD, and gummies (which technically is consuming CBD orally). There is a difference between CBD topical vs. oral, but each type of product can be used in various ways and sometimes interchangeably.
TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read):
Topical CBD products are applied directly to the skin and are often chosen for a more targeted area, while oral CBD products are taken by mouth and are typically used for more general effects throughout the body.
Table of Contents
Topical vs Oral CBD at a Glance
Topical CBD products are applied directly to the skin, while oral CBD products are taken by mouth. The main difference is how they are used, where they are intended to work, and which format feels easier to fit into your day.
| Feature | Topical CBD | Oral CBD |
|---|---|---|
| How is it used? | Applied to the skin | Taken by mouth, sublingual consumption |
| How fast may it feel? | May feel more immediate for some users, depending on the formula | May take longer |
| Approximate duration | Often around 2 to 4 hours | Often, around 2 to 4 hours |
| How long does it last? | Can vary by product type and how often it is used | Can vary by format, serving size, and individual factors |
| Targeted area | Often chosen for a more targeted area | Often chosen for a more general, whole-body experience |
| Common product forms | Creams, balms, roll-ons, lotions, salves, topical oils | Oils, tinctures, capsules, softgels, gummies |
| When may it fit better? | When you want a product for one specific area and prefer not to swallow anything | When you want a product that is simple to use each day |
What Are CBD Topicals?
A CBD topical is a CBD-infused product applied to the skin, thus the name “topical.” Multiple surveys have found that many users of topical CBD are searching for relief from dry, itchy, irritated skin. Although more research is needed on CBD’s impact on pathways, some long-standing studies, such as the one published by J Manzanares, MD, Julian, and A Carrascosa, report on CBD users’ experiences with CBD topicals for relief.
To date, medical research has shown that CBD cream bypasses the CB1 and CB2 receptors in skin cells and directly affects the neurotransmitter that blocks itch signals. Further research is needed to determine the optimal dosage for different body areas and the amount of skin to cover with the topical. You would need to experiment and find the amount and coverage that works best to meet your needs.
CBD Topical Bioavailability
CBD bioavailability refers to the rate and degree with which CBD is absorbed into the bloodstream. The bioavailability of CBD topicals is low because the CBD will not enter the bloodstream. Topicals are absorbed through the pores and the top skin layer (epidermis), and users report that topicals relieve skin discomfort quickly.
Types of CBD Topicals
CBD topicals are manufactured in a variety of forms.
- Creams
- Lotions
- Salves and balms
- Ointments
- Serums
- Transdermal patches
- Topical sprays
- Roll-ons
- Body oils
- Bath bombs
Each of these products contains different ingredients. For example, CBD ointments and salves are made with oils and waxes, so they have a thicker consistency. Creams and lotions are made by combining water and oil. Serums are primarily made with CBD oil.
Popular CBD Topicals
What Are Oral CBD Products?
Oral products are any CBD-infused products consumed through the mouth. It is really that simple.
What Are the Types Of Oral CBD?
Oral CBD products take many forms.
- Oils and tinctures
- Capsules, softgels, and pills
- Gummies
- Isolate (crystals)
- Edibles (food and drinks)
Methods of Taking Oral CBD
Oral CBD is consumed either:
- Through ingestion (swallowing)
CBD is processed through the digestive system and reaches the liver. In this first-pass metabolism process, the liver metabolizes CBD and sends the metabolites into the bloodstream.
- Sublingually
Using this method, you place CBD oil or tincture beneath your tongue. Under the tongue is a thin mucous membrane and capillaries, enabling the CBD to be absorbed directly into the bloodstream. This method has the highest bioavailability because the CBD quickly enters the bloodstream intact and is not broken down through the digestive system.
Popular CBD Oral Products
CBD Topical vs. Oral – Which is Better?
The best CBD product to use depends on the reason for using it. CBD topicals are good for relieving skin discomfort and perhaps discomfort in some muscles because:
✔️ The effects are more concentrated since the cannabinoid compounds do not enter the bloodstream (except for the transdermal patch)
✔️ Targets a particular area of the skin
✔️ Brings rapid relief to the targeted area
✔️ Can be applied directly to the skin area needing relief
✔️ Bypasses the bloodstream, except when using a transdermal patch
Oral CBD is a better choice:
✔️ When desiring longer-lasting effects
✔️ When desiring more widespread effects, since the CBD enters the bloodstream
✔️ Enjoy eating products with flavors like CBD edibles and CBD gummies
✔️ Prefer a quick consumption method like swallowing a pill
✔️ Want a quick way to use CBD products throughout the day
✔️ Want to use a premeasured CBD amount for a particular potency, i.e., potency and dosage of pills, capsules, and tinctures
FAQs
Can You Use Oral CBD Oil Topically?
CBD oil can be used topically. Apply oil like you would a lotion, cream, or balm. When you compare oil vs cream, oil will absorb faster than the lotions, creams, or balms simply because it is thinner.
Can I Use CBD Tinctures Topically?
CBD tincture can also be used topically. It is made with CBD extracts, carrier oil, and other ingredients like flavorings and terpenes. Depending on the ingredients, the tincture may provide an entourage-type effect on the skin.
What Is the Most Effective CBD Oil?
The most effective CBD oil begins with choosing a high-quality, lab-tested CBD oil that may contain other ingredients like camphor, menthol, and/or natural oils. Full spectrum CBD contains all of the cannabinoids in the hemp plant, so such oil may provide more relief than broad spectrum CBD oil. This is backed by research published in Frontiers in Pharmacology, which found that particular CBD compounds may have a greater impact on relief than others.
Can You Use Topical and Oral CBD on the Same Day?
Yes, some people choose to use both topical and oral CBD on the same day. A topical product is applied to the skin, while an oral product is taken by mouth, so they are used in different ways. The best approach depends on your personal preferences.
How Do You Choose Between Topical and Oral CBD?
The choice depends on how you want to use CBD and which format feels easiest for you. Topical CBD may be a better fit if you want to apply a product directly to one area of the skin. Oral CBD may be a better option if you want something simple to take throughout your day.
Conclusion
In the article A Cross-Sectional Study of Cannabidiol Users published on the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health site, survey results found that respondents use an average of two different administration methods. The most common administration form was sublingual via a CBD tincture, spray, and drops. So you may consider using both topical and oral CBD.
Sources
- https://www.singlecare.com/blog/news/cbd-statistics/
- Manzanares, J., Julian, M., & Carrascosa, A. (2006). Role of the cannabinoid system in control and therapeutic implications for the management of acute and chronic episodes. Current Neuropharmacology, 4(3), 239–257. https://doi.org/10.2174/157015906778019527
- https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2018.01259/full
- https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2018.01259/full
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6043845/
Share this post
0