Trendy, controversial, cure-all – CBD Oil has been described countless ways as it’s made its way into doctors offices, health food stores, beauty products and even pet shops. CBD Oil has reached an all time high (pun intended 😉 ) and the hype around this hemp-derived oil is also sweeping the skincare industry so we’ve been digging deep to uncover the facts. Our founder, Bethany, even traveled across the country to visit one of the world’s *best* CBD distributors to get a behind the scenes look at CBD.

We can’t wait to share what we discovered.

We’re breaking down what CBD oil actually is, the reality of THC (the part of the plant that gives it its bad rap), how the extraction method makes a BIG difference and the real reasons why CBD has become so much more than just a trend – but a truly transformative ingredient.

These days, everyone and their dog has heard about Cannabis – but what is it exactly? Cannabis is a flowering plant family with several different species, one being Cannabis Sativa, and has been used since ancient times for its medicinal benefits. Just like several plant varieties, Cannabis Sativa contains active compounds called cannabinoids. While the plant contains over a hundred different cannabinoids, two of the most common are Cannabidiol (CBD) and Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) – more about THC later. 🙂

CBD is one of the most prominent + popular compounds found in the Cannabis Sativa plant and contains powerful, beneficial properties for a plethora of health + skin concerns – all without the psychoactive side effects that are experienced from THC (but more about that later!). Those mind-altering side effects seem to be a concern for several people, so simply put, CBD infuses the skin and body with nutrient-dense goodness but without any worries of getting high.

Because of its rich medicinal and therapeutic benefits, you want to make sure you’re getting the most out of your CBD Oil. Just like with any natural skincare ingredient, the way it’s grown, sourced, and processed impacts the efficacy of the final product. So we’re about to explain why the method of extraction can make or break your CBD experience.

The majority of extraction methods for CBD Oil use high temperatures for long periods of time. What’s the problem with that process? For the same reasons we want to drink cold-pressed juices and why we don’t want to cook with EVOO. More heat means more breakdown of delicate molecules – and less goodness on your skin + in your body. It completely strips the plant of its potent compounds and significantly diminishes its effectiveness.

Not only do these industrial methods incorporate high heat, they often use solvents (such as propane, butane and ethanol – yikes) which are dangerous, highly flammable and risk leaving behind residual chemicals and contaminating the purity of the CBD Oil. No, thanks.

Another downside to many CBD products on the market (in our personal skincare opinion!) is that they include CBD Isolate. With a more transparent, thinner consistency, CBD Isolate is exactly what it sounds like: isolating CBD from the rest of the plant compounds – it’s refined until only pure CBD remains. Sure, pure CBD oil sounds great, but ultimately, your skin is missing out on all of the other beneficial properties found in the plant.

So what exactly are these potent compounds in CBD oil that we want to protect?

• Terpenes: You might be familiar with terpenes if you’ve ever used essential oils! There are hundreds of these naturally occurring compounds found in Cannabis and they’re what gives the plant its unique scent + specific effects and helps to boost absorption of other beneficial components of the plant.
• Flavonoids: Found in various foods + flowers, flavonoids are what create their vivid colors (think: raspberries, roses and yes, wine!). They are rich in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and when partnered with terpenes + cannabinoids, the therapeutic properties are seriously enhanced.
• Cannabinoids: While cannabinoids can be found in several plant species, there are over 100 of these beneficial compounds found in the Cannabis Sativa plant specifically that bind to receptors in the body. Our favorite cannabinoid and the one we’re focusing on today, CBD, primarily impacts the immune system and skin (unlike THC, which binds to receptors in the brain – hence, it’s mind-altering effects) to powerfully support health + homeostasis.

So what if there was a way to extract CBD oil in a natural way that keeps its powerful, terpene-rich profile intact? Well, there is – and it’s how our Soothing Serum +CBD Oil is extracted!

Before we dive into this unique, natural distillation process, we need to talk plant quality which is something we really care about at Primally Pure. Organically grown hemp is the only way to go. We want to stay far away from pesticides on our plate and in our skincare products. Our CBD Oil is sourced from hemp grown on organic farms in the U.S. and the quality control is taken a step further as it’s triple tested for any traces of toxins, harmful pesticides, and heavy metals.

Once the organic hemp plants are harvested + tested, it’s time to extract the CBD oil.

Using only heated air for a few, short seconds (no chemicals or solvents needed), vapor distillation is the only method in the world – yup, in the whole wide world – that ensures there are no traces of toxic chemicals (i.e. hexane, butane, propane), protects the fragile plant material and maintains the full-spectrum of beneficial compounds (like cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, etc).

They call this: flash activation + flash extraction.

The quick burst of heat (instead of hours exposed to high temperatures) captures all of the delicate, beneficial compounds of the plant without damaging or compromising the CBD in any way.

With a greenish/brownish hue + thicker consistency, this hemp-derived, full-spectrum oil is something experts like to refer to as the Entourage Effect. It contains the broadest + most beneficial variety of plant compounds in their specific ratios to optimize the effects of CBD oil. Studies have even shown that the synergy of phytonutrients has a greater capacity to contribute to skin health, homeostasis + your overall sense of wellness. When it comes to CBD and its compounds, they’re better together.

To sum it all up, why is the CBD extraction process such a big deal? You get more of the good stuff and less of the bad. The full plant profile is in the final product and your skin will reap the benefits.

So by now, you may be thinking, “Okay cool, the full plant profile – I’m all about it. But that must mean THC is still present?” Yup, it’s time to talk THC.

One of the most common questions + concerns about CBD Oil is: “Will it make me high?” Short answer: Nope.

THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is another naturally occurring cannabinoid found in the Cannabis Sativa plant and is most famous for its psychoactive properties (aka that “stoned” feeling). Part of the controversy with THC, and even CBD, is due to the confusion surrounding the verbiage being used about the topic: weed, hemp, marijuana, cannabis, CBD… what’s what?

While we’re not going to get into the nitty-gritty of ganja, here’s a simple guideline to help explain. Not to be confused as the exact same plant, think of Hemp and Marijuana more like cousins. While they’re in the same Cannabis family, their functions are slightly different.

One of the main differences between the two is their THC content. Marijuana is higher in THC and lower in CBD, while Hemp is higher in CBD but lower in THC. To keep things legal (and sober), distributors extract CBD oil from Hemp – not Marijuana – so there are only trace amounts of THC (staying well below the less than .3% guidelines set for CBD Oil products).

But while THC may have a bad rap, there is actually some good that comes from this cannabinoid. In minimal amounts, THC helps to contribute to that Entourage Effect we explained earlier. By maintaining the full plant profile, instead of isolating a specific component of the plant (like with CBD Isolate), your skin is fed the full range of benefits found in that ingredient.

All full-spectrum CBD Oils are going to have trace amounts of THC – keeping the synergistic benefits intact but without altering your state of mind or leaving you with the munchies. It simply creates a more potent, transformative CBD oil and offers significantly more therapeutic + medicinal support for skin and overall wellness.

Starting to understand CBD oil a bit better? Good! Because we’ve got even more CBD goodness to share with you – and specifically, how it will seriously transform your skin.

While people have been taking CBD Oil internally to help relieve issues like anxiety, pain, depression, inflammation and insomnia for centuries, it’s just recently become a buzz word in the beauty world. And for GOOD reason. Just like the benefits that CBD Oil offers when ingested (a more quiet mind, calm mood + balanced state of being), research is showing that it has a similar effect when applied topically to the skin.

The visible improvements in the skin are why this natural ingredient is starting to saturate the skincare market. This beauty botanical is most well known for its potent antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits. So for sensitive skin, acne-prone complexions, and inflammatory conditions, CBD is a dream.

When you think CBD, think skin superfood.

• It contains a variety of vitamins (like Vitamin A, D + E), minerals and multiple amino acids (the building blocks of our body) to strengthen the skin, create a more resilient complexion and optimize collagen production.
• It has the perfect ratio of omega 6 to omega 3 fatty acids to maintain a healthy appearance and more GLA (Gamma Linoleic Acid a.k.a. a strong anti-inflammatory compound) than any other plant, helping to relieve painful skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema.
• Plus, by helping to inhibit the buildup of dead skin cells and minimize inflammation, it’s an effective natural acne treatment.

Okay, we might sound like a broken record, but quality really matters when it comes to the CBD Oil in your skincare.

Be sure your hemp-derived, whole-plant CBD Oil is sourced from organically grown plants so the product (and your skin!) is free from pesticides and harmful chemicals. And remember, full-spectrum ensures the Entourage Effect is in full force and unlocks the plant’s full power to maintain its rich profile of terpenes, cannabinoids, and flavonoids to create the highest level of efficacy available.

As a powerful skin soother for puffy, red, stressed, irritated, damaged, inflamed (should we go on?) complexions, CBD’s presence in the skincare world will only continue to expand because of its power to truly transform the skin. And we cannot wait for you to experience it.

While conversations (and even laws) surrounding CBD may still seem unclear or controversial and research is still uncovering the full impact CBD can have on the skin, we hope this post helps to clear the air about Cannabis and why we’re sold on its transformative benefits – for skin, mind and body.

Shop our Soothing Serum +CBD with our hemp-derived, full-spectrum CBD Oil here! Or you can shop our herb-infused Soothing Serum if you prefer a calm complexion sans CBD. And be sure to leave a comment below with any more CBD questions or stories about how this ingredient has supported your beauty + well-being.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The CBD Oil in our Soothing Serum is for topical use only, do not ingest. Cannabidiol (CBD) has not been evaluated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Therefore, CBD may not be used to diagnose, treat or cure any disease or health problem. If you have any health concerns/questions, please consult your medical professional before using any product.