Topicals made from cannabidiol oil are excellent for relieving skin irritation or localized pain – without ingesting the CBD oil or getting it everywhere.
While the method will not allow for the CBD to enter the bloodstream and affect the entire body, this can be a point in favor if you only want to help a specific area.
When making your own CBD topical, the process is rather straightforward. Make sure to note three main aspects, and you can enjoy a DIY version within minutes.
1. Choosing Your Base
When making a base, there are many different ingredients to choose from, such as:
- Shea butter
- Cocoa butter
- Coconut oil
- Jojoba oil
- Olive oil
- Wax
- Beeswax
- Or any store-bought lotions.
Each one comes with its own benefits and will provide a different consistency. Beeswax, for example, is more frequently used to create a harder salve, as opposed to a softer lotion. A salve will be an ideal choice if you intend on applying the topical to a small, contained area. However, a lotion will be easier to spread across a larger area.
You can combine however many ingredients you feel are necessary to make you base. For example, coconut oil and beeswax may provide a balanced consistency that also massages the skin.
Alternatively, if you’re on a budget, simply incorporating your chosen CBD oil with a store-bought lotion will serve your needs properly. Be sure to check the ingredient’s list, however, and ensure your branded lotion has a low water content. Water and oil don’t mix, after all, and this can lead to a topical that doesn’t spread evenly.
2. Choosing your CBD Oil
When making a topical, you’re going to use anywhere from 300 to 600 milligrams of cannabidiol oil. Depending on the strength of the oil you purchase, that can be anywhere from six to twelve drops, or more than that if you already own or plan to buy a weaker strength.
Charlotte’s Web offers extra-strength options, which can reduce the amount needed for each topical batch.
3. Measure Properly
Unlike preparing a drink using CBD oil, you make a topical for many future uses to store and hold onto until you need it. Measuring becomes extremely important, as you want to balance the amount of base with the amount of CBD oil, according to how much is needed each time.
When making a salve, you’ll be using less total ingredients than with a lotion. This is because salves are more condensed and deliver focused results, so you can incorporate less beeswax but the same amount of CBD oil.
If you decide to make your own salve, add the CBD oil before taking it off the heat. If you decided to buy a pre-made salve, remove it from its container and heat it either on low in the microwave or in a pot on the stove at low heat. Add 400ml of CBD oil for every two ounces of salve.
For a lotion topical, you’ll have more to use, but you’ll need a greater amount to get the same affect. Since lotion is already easy to mix, simply add 600ml of CBD oil for every one cup of lotion and stir until completely dispersed into the lotion.
If you decide later that your topical is too strong or too weak, you can add more base or CBD oil to it as needed. Salves will need to be warmed up before adding more CBD oil, as they tend to harden and will resist the oil.
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