Cold-Pressed vs. CO2-Extracted CBD Oil: Key Differences

Two bottles sit side by side. One says cold-pressed, the other says CO2-extracted, and the prices aren’t even close. So what do those labels actually tell you about what’s inside?

Cold-pressed CBD oil is made by mechanically pressing hemp with no solvent, while CO2-extracted CBD oil uses pressurized carbon dioxide to pull cannabinoids and terpenes from hemp flowers and leaves. Some oils labeled cold-pressed are really hemp seed oil, which contains little or no CBD, so the batch Certificate of Analysis (COA) is how you confirm what is inside.

Below, we break down both meanings of “cold-pressed,” how CO2 extraction works, and how the oils compare on CBD content, purity, taste and price. We’ll also show you how to read any CBD oil label, whichever method made the oil.

Key Takeaways

• Cold-pressed hemp seed oil contains little or no CBD.
• CBD forms mainly in trichomes, the tiny resin glands on hemp flowers and leaves.
• Neither method decides CBD oil purity on its own. The batch COA does.
• To compare any two oils fairly, divide the bottle price by the total milligrams of CBD.

What Is Cold-Pressed CBD Oil?

Cold-pressed CBD oil is oil made by mechanical pressing, with no added heat and no solvent. The term covers two different products: cold-pressed hemp seed oil and whole-plant oils that sellers market as pressed. Because pressing simply squeezes oil out of plant material, the part of the plant you start with decides what ends up in the bottle.

Cold-Pressed Hemp Seed Oil

Cold-pressed hemp seed oil comes from hemp seeds. It’s a green, nutty oil that contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, and people use it in the kitchen and as a carrier oil. Here’s the catch: hemp seeds contain little or no CBD. The plant makes CBD mainly in trichomes on its flowers and, to a lesser extent, its leaves. So a bottle of cold-pressed hemp seed oil doesn’t supply a stated amount of CBD on its own.

Cold-Pressed CBD Oil, as Sold

Cold-pressed CBD oil, as sold, starts from whole-plant hemp material, and sellers describe the process in different ways. Some mix plant material with a carrier oil and then apply pressure. Others describe a solventless press that uses water, ice, heat and pressure. Others describe pressing only. There’s no standard definition, so the steps behind the label vary from brand to brand.

Pressing can leave much of the CBD behind in the plant material. That can mean a lower yield per batch and, often, a higher cost per milligram of CBD. Less refined pressed oils also keep plant fats and chlorophyll, which give them an earthy, bitter taste. For the seed oil side of the story, see our guide to CBD oil vs. hemp seed oil.

What Is CO2-Extracted CBD Oil?

CO2-extracted CBD oil is made by using carbon dioxide under pressure to dissolve cannabinoids and terpenes out of hemp flowers and leaves. When the pressure is released, the CO2 turns back into a gas and leaves the extract, so no liquid solvent residue stays behind. Makers then blend that concentrated extract into a carrier oil and label it in milligrams of CBD.

Pressure and temperature are what make the method adjustable. Carbon dioxide reaches its critical point at about 31°C (88°F) and about 1,070 psi (73.8 bar), according to the NIST Chemistry WebBook. Below those values, CO2 is subcritical. At or above both, it’s supercritical. Each state pulls a different mix of compounds, so makers choose the conditions on purpose. Our page on CO2 extraction goes deeper into the method.

What Is Hybrid CO2 Extraction?

Hybrid CO2 extraction runs a subcritical stage and a supercritical stage on the same hemp. The first stage captures delicate compounds, and the second raises the yield.

• Subcritical CO2: lower pressure and temperature, a smaller yield and a longer run. It helps keep terpenes and other fragile compounds.
• Supercritical CO2: at or above the critical point, a larger yield and a shorter run. It also pulls larger molecules such as lipids, chlorophyll and waxes.

Hybrid extraction combines the strengths of both stages, and it’s the method we use.

Cold-Pressed vs. CO2-Extracted CBD Oil: How Do They Compare?

Here’s how cold-pressed hemp seed oil, cold-pressed CBD oil and CO2-extracted CBD oil stack up, side by side.

On a shelf, cold-pressed CBD oil and CO2-extracted CBD oil can look almost identical, and hemp seed oil isn’t always easy to spot either. The batch COA is how you tell all three apart.

How Do Cold Pressing and CO2 Extraction Affect CBD Oil Purity?

Neither method decides CBD oil purity on its own, because purity means two things: which compounds come along with the CBD, and whether the oil is free of contaminants.

Extraction method shapes the first part. Cold pressing keeps plant fats and chlorophyll. CO2 extraction can be tuned by stage: subcritical CO2 helps keep terpenes, while supercritical CO2 also pulls waxes and chlorophyll. CO2 also leaves no liquid solvent residue, which speaks to the second part.

The second part only gets answered by testing. A full Certificate of Analysis (COA) reports:

• Potency: the milligrams of CBD and the other cannabinoids.
• Terpene profile: the terpenes in the batch.
• Heavy metals: metals the hemp plant can absorb from soil.
• Pesticides: residues from farming.
• Residual solvents: leftovers from extraction.
• Mold: microbial contaminants.

The COA also shows the exact THC result for the batch, so you can check it against the federal hemp limit set by the USDA. Match the batch number on your packaging to the batch number on the COA. For potency, look at the milligrams per milliliter on the label, not the method name. Our guide to the Certificate of Analysis (COA) walks through each line.

Does Cold-Pressed CBD Oil Cost Less Than CO2-Extracted CBD Oil?

Not always. The fair comparison is cost per milligram of CBD, not bottle price. Divide the bottle price by the total milligrams of CBD on the label. For a bottle that lists 1800mg of CBD, for example, divide the price by 1800.

Two things drive most of the gap between methods:

• Yield: pressing can pull less CBD out of the plant per batch, so each milligram of CBD in a pressed oil carries more of the batch cost.
• Equipment: CO2 extraction systems are a major investment for producers, which shapes the price of CO2-extracted oil.

Cold-pressed hemp seed oil usually costs less per bottle, but that’s because it contains little CBD. It’s a different product from a CBD oil. Use the same per-milligram math for every oil, and you’ll always be comparing like with like.

Which Extraction Method Do We Use at NuLeaf Naturals?

We use hybrid CO2 extraction: a subcritical stage first, then a supercritical stage. Our extraction and formulation process page walks through each step.

We’ve been making hemp products since 2014. Every batch is third-party lab tested, a COA is available for every batch, and the batch number is printed right on the packaging.

Our CBD Oil keeps things simple. It’s a tincture with just two ingredients: full-spectrum hemp extract and organic virgin hemp seed oil as the carrier. Our guide to organic CBD oil explains why we choose an organic carrier.

• Potency: 60mg/mL
• Strengths: 300mg, 900mg, 1800mg, 3000mg and 6000mg
• Serving: 10 drops (0.5mL), which is 30mg of CBD
• Packaging: every bottle has a child-resistant dropper

Browse our full range of CBD oils and tinctures.

What Should You Check on Any CBD Oil Label?

Whatever extraction method made the oil, these six checks tell you what’s actually inside:

1. Read the front label for milligrams of CBD, not just milligrams of “hemp oil.”
2. Match the batch number on the packaging to the batch COA.
3. Check the CBD and THC results on the COA.
4. Confirm the heavy metal, pesticide and residual solvent results show a pass.
5. Review the ingredient list for the extract name and the carrier oil.
6. Divide the bottle price by the total milligrams of CBD.

These checks work the same way for cold-pressed and CO2-extracted CBD oil. If you take medication, are pregnant or are nursing, talk to your doctor before use.

*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.