There are thousands of CBD oils on the market, and quality varies widely. Use this checklist to compare products and find one you can trust.
1. Read the lab report first
The most important document is the Certificate of Analysis (COA). It should match the product and batch you are buying, list the amount of CBD the lab measured, and show the results of contaminant testing such as pesticides, heavy metals, microbes and residual solvents. If a brand cannot show you a COA, choose another brand. Our guide to reading a CBD lab report explains each section.
2. Check the type of CBD
- CBD isolate is purified CBD.
- Broad spectrum contains CBD plus other hemp compounds.
- Full spectrum contains most of the plant’s compounds.
Read more in CBD Isolate vs. Full Spectrum CBD.
3. Look at how much CBD is in each serving
The label should tell you the total CBD in the bottle and the amount in each serving. A 30 ml bottle with 1,000 mg of CBD has about 33 mg per 1 ml dropper. Compare products by milligrams per serving, not by bottle size or price alone.
4. Know how it was extracted
CO2 extraction and food-grade ethanol extraction are common clean methods. If a product used hydrocarbon solvents, the COA should show residual solvent results below safe limits.
5. Check the carrier oil and other ingredients
Most tinctures use MCT (coconut) oil, hemp seed oil or olive oil as the base. Look for a short, clear ingredient list, especially if you have food allergies.
6. Know where the hemp came from
Hemp grown in the U.S. under state or USDA hemp programs is regulated and tested. A trustworthy brand will tell you where its hemp was grown.
7. Watch for big promises
Be cautious of any brand that says its CBD will cure or treat a condition. The FDA has not approved over-the-counter CBD products for any medical use.
Our CBD tincture
Airlie CBD ElixiRx is made with hemp CBD isolate in organic fractionated MCT oil, in a 1 fl oz dropper bottle. Its lab results and COA are on the product page.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This article is general information, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor before using CBD, especially if you are pregnant, nursing or take medication.