What’s the Best Carrier Oil for CBD?

Revised April 2022

CBD (or cannabidiol) is one of the two main cannabinoids found in the cannabis sativa plant. People use it to reduce anxiety, improve sleep, provide relief from pain due to inflammation, and more. In its pure form, it is a potent crystalline powder. And as a full spectrum product, CBD is four times as effective as CBD in its isolated form. This potency can make CBD difficult to accurately dose in its natural state. This is where carrier oils come in. 

Keep reading for the most popular CBD carrier oils, and learn which one we feel is the best carrier oil for CBD.

What Is a Carrier Oil?

A carrier oil — sometimes referred to as a base oil — is a plant-derived fatty oil that’s used to carry an essential oil or cannabinoid extract (such as CBD) and deliver it to your body’s tissues. If you use essential oils, you may be familiar with carrier oils, which are used to make them less irritating to the skin and digestive tract.

As mentioned above, CBD in its pure isolate form is difficult to dose due to its high potency. However, infused evenly within a carrier oil, the CBD can be consistently measured and dosed sublingually. Carrier oils are typically mild in taste and weight, making them excellent additions to both essential oils and pure CBD.

 

 

What helps CBD oil absorb better? 

Sublingual application and letting the CBD absorb under your tongue (rather than swallowing it right away) preserves more of the CBD, allowing you to feel its effects more quickly.

But not all carrier oils are created equal. There are several different options, and each has its own benefits and drawbacks. Below we’ll talk about some of the most widely used CBD carrier oils.

What Carrier Oil Is Used for CBD?

Most Common Types of CBD Carrier Oils

When it comes to CBD carrier oils, there are several you’re likely to encounter when reading the ingredient lists of CBD oils: MCT oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil, and hemp seed oil.

MCT

MCT is an abbreviation for medium-chain triglycerides, a type of fat that is more easily digested than LCT (long-chain triglycerides) and more easily absorbed than SCT (short-chain triglycerides). While it can also be obtained from palm kernel oil, coconut oil is the most common source. It is sometimes marketed as liquid coconut oil because it holds a liquid state. MCT is often considered a superior carrier oil to coconut oil due to its higher concentration of these medium-chain triglycerides — 100% versus only 54% in coconut oil.

Coconut Oil

As far as plant oils go, coconut oil is highly praised and may have the longest list of known beneficial uses. It is relatively high in MCTs with a 54% concentration, making it useful for fat burning (though not as effectively as pure MCT). It is well known for its antimicrobial properties and is often used topically for improved skin health, as it is easily absorbed by the skin. Though it typically holds a solid state at room temperature, coconut oil will begin to melt at around 78° F.

Avocado Oil

Avocado oil is high in antioxidants and vitamins A, B, D, and E. It is quickly absorbed by the skin and less likely to clog pores compared to many other oils, making it beneficial as a carrier oil for topical CBD applications. Unfortunately, avocado oil is significantly more expensive and much thicker than a lot of other carrier oils, which may be unpleasant to some. It’s also more likely to cause an allergic reaction in those with certain allergies.

Olive Oil

Olive oil is likely the carrier oil you’ve heard most about. It’s the most researched oil on our list and has become a staple in most kitchens, which is no surprise considering the long list of well-established health benefits olive oil boasts. High in antioxidants, iron, and vitamins E and K, olive oil is known to reduce inflammation and boost immunity. While the LCTs in olive oil are absorbed more slowly than MCT, it’s possible it may absorb more efficiently. However, olive oil has a lower solvency than most other carrier oils, meaning it won’t hold as much CBD.

Hemp Seed Oil

Hemp seed oil (HSO) is extracted from the seeds of the cannabis sativa plant, the same plant that produces hemp or marijuana. HSO is a healthy, plant-based fat, high in omegas 3 and 6 in the ideal ratio for human consumption. In addition to sublingual preparations, it’s useful for topical application as it absorbs well into the skin. Since it’s sourced from the same plant as CBD, using HSO as a carrier oil may encourage the “entourage effect” — which is to say, it may make the cannabinoids in the solution more effective than they would otherwise be on their own.

Additional Benefits of Hemp Seed Oil as a CBD Carrier Oil

• Quality hemp seed oil comes without the risk of heavy metal contamination, which is not always the case with fish oils. 
• Did you know the saliva you produce when you consume cannabinoid oils is not just making it easier to swallow? It actually initiates sending messages to your body so it can prepare various receptors for the opportunity to react with and absorb the detected nutrients. When hemp seed oil (90%+ of the formulation) is carrying hemp extracts, there is no mistake that hemp is entering the system, allowing the body to properly prepare. 
• While fat-burning properties are desired by many and may lead some to choose a product that uses a coconut or MCT oil carrier, it’s important to keep in mind the interaction between the body and cannabinoids. Cannabinoids (such as CBD) are fat-soluble phytonutrients and need to be combined with a fat to facilitate absorption. The body’s ability to retain fat will influence the longevity of the effects from each dosage. If the fat is being burned quickly, your cannabinoid dosage is as well. 
• The Comedogenic Scale is used in cosmetics to rank ingredients based on their likelihood to clog pores. Hemp seed oil was ranked 0, indicating that it “won’t clog pores at all,” making it a wonderful topical application for all skin and skin types, and for the face and other sensitive areas. 
• Beyond its special properties when used for cannabinoid consumption, hemp seed oil offers many other health benefits, including improved skin health, heart health, women’s health; reduction of internal and external inflammation; better mood and brain function; and more.

The NuLeaf Naturals Difference

Wherever possible, we choose hemp-based ingredients due to their higher quality and low risk for allergens, as well as the synergistic benefits that come from combining hemp-based products. They also allow for the most natural connection to the body’s endocannabinoid system. Our CBD oil consists of only two ingredients, full spectrum hemp extract and USDA certified organic virgin hemp seed oil.

Ready to try NuLeaf Naturals CBD oil? Shop our cannabinoid products now.

Do you have questions about our products, or are you wondering which one is right for you?

Our Expert Team is here to help via phone, email, or online chat:
Telephone: +1 (720) 372-4842
Email: [email protected]
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