What does CBD Balm do?
In the world of heath and wellness, few ingredients have garnered as much attention as CBD. Short for cannabidiol, CBD oils, CBD capsules, skincare options, and even CBD patches are now commonly available online, and in health food stores all over the UK. Topical applications are increasingly popular, and one of the most common forms is as a CBD balm. Balms are versatile, making them an appealing option for anyone looking to incorporate CBD into a daily self-care routine.
This article discusses ‘what does CBD balm do’, and how to use it. We’ll also touch on how CBD balm compares with CBD oil, CBD patches and other applications, giving you a broader understanding of the options available to try.
What does CBD Balm do:
CBD balm is a topical product infused with cannabidiol, a naturally occurring compound derived from the hemp (cannabis) plant. It is worth noting that not all CBD balms are created equal, and the Love CBD balm uses a broad-spectrum cannabis extract, not CBD isolate, which is a more commonly used ingredient in CBD balms. A broad-spectrum Cannabis extract is generally considered to be more efficacious than CBD isolate, as they contain a range of beneficial to health and wellness cannabis compounds, including terpenes, flavonoids and other cannabinoids.
Unlike CBD oils or CBD capsules which are taken orally, CBD balms are applied directly to the skin. Balms generally have a thick and waxy consistency, due to ingredients like beeswax, shea butter and coconut oil. CBD balms commonly contain essential oils, which are added for their scent properties. However, many essential oils have well established health beneficial properties of their own, and with a far longer history of use than conventional medicines.
Balms can provide a protective layer over the skin, and lock in moisture, while delivering the benefits of the ingredients, in this case CBD. It is essential when choosing topically applied products to look for ones containing natural ingredients. If you’re unwilling to eat it, you probably shouldn’t put it on your skin (not suggesting that you should eat a balm!).
What does CBD Balm do in a Wellness Routine
CBD balm is commonly used as part of a self-care routine, for relaxation, and for skin nourishment. Here are some of the key ways it can be incorporated into your daily routine:
What does CBD Balm do for Skin Hydration and Nourishment
The base of most CBD balms are natural oils and butters, which are used in skincare for their moisturising and conditioning properties. When infused with CBD, the balm becomes a dual-purpose product, working as a skin hydrator and protector, and also as a means of delivering CBD.
Relaxation Through Routine
Massaging CBD balm into the skin can be relaxing and a nice way to find a little ‘me time’, similar to using aromatic essential oils. Many balms are infused with calming scents and essential oils. The Love CBD balm contains Rosemary oil, which is said to help promote focus, memory and aid in de-stressing.
Targeted Application for Personal Care
One of the great attributes of a balm, is that it can be applied exactly where you want it. Unlike CBD oil, which has an oral application, a balm can be applied to where you need it. This makes it an obvious choice for people looking to target specific external areas of the body.
Working with Other CBD Products
CBD balm is often used alongside other CBD products, like CBD oils or patches. For example, someone may take CBD oil as part of a morning wellness routine, CBD patches before going to bed, for the slow-release function and use a balm on their skin as and when needed. The various types of CBD products available allows individuals to create a personal wellness routine.
CBD Balm vs. CBD Oil vs. CBD Patches vs CBD Capsules
Whilst a balm is an excellent choice for skin applications, how does it compare to CBD oil, CBD capsules and other CBD products.
CBD Balm:
- How it’s used: Applied directly to the skin as a topical application.
- Texture: Thick and waxy and not to be confused with cream.
- Best for: Localized application, skincare, aches and joint stiffness, minor skin irritations.
CBD Oil:
- How it’s used: Typically, taken orally under the tongue (sub-lingually) using a dropper. Love CBD oils are available in a more convenient and easier to dose spray format.
- Texture: Liquid (oil consistency depending upon carrier oil).
- Best for: Whole-body wellness routines, flexible dosing, versatility.
CBD Patches:
- How it’s used: Adhesive patches placed on the skin for slow-release and steady absorption.
- Texture: Thin and discreet.
- Best for: Long-lasting, consistent delivery, convenient all-day and night time use.
CBD Capsules:
- How it’s used: Consumed orally with water (better with a meal containing fat). Love CBD capsules contain coconut oil to boost bio availability.
- Texture: Either soft gel capsule (usually from bovine), or a harder 2 piece (vegan option).
- Best for: Whole body wellness but more convenient than CBD oil, and without the taste that puts some people off using it.
Step-by-Step Guide to Using CBD Balm
Using CBD balm is simple, but a few easy steps can make the experience more worthwhile:
Step 1: Choose the Right Balm
CBD balms are available in different strengths of CBD and with different carrier ingredients. Choosing one that contains high quality natural ingredients is key. It is also a good idea to check customer reviews, as this is a great way to get the opinions from other people that have used the balm. Love CBD has over 5000 reviews on Trustpilot with an average rating of 4.9 out of 5, some of which are about our balm.
Within the CBD space, all reputable brands will provide lab data for their products, including topical products like CBD balm. Always ensure that the lab reports are less than a year old, and that the testing has been undertaken by a UKAS accredited lab. Love CBD uses Eurofins, who were the first lab to hold an accreditation for Cannabinoids in the UK.
Step 2: Prepare the Skin
Always apply the balm to clean, dry and undamaged skin. This ensures the balm’s nourishing and conditioning function won’t have any interference from dirt or excess oil.
Step 3: Warm it Up
Scoop a small amount of the balm with clean fingers and rub it between the palm of your hands. Warming the balm softens it, making it easier to apply evenly on the skin.
Step 4: Massage It In
Gently massage the balm into the desired area of skin. The process of massaging will help the skin to absorb the balm, while helping to ease tension.
Step 5: Repeat as Needed
CBD balm can be used as frequently as required, depending upon your needs and reason for using it. Some of our customers report that they only used it occasionally for specific flare ups, whilst others use the balm several times per day, every day.
Why We Love CBD Balm
The appeal of CBD balm lies in its versatility and broad use case. Here are some reasons it has become a favourite among wellness enthusiasts:
- Aches and joint stiffness: As you get older, hands and joints can suffer from stiffness which is particularly problematic during the winter months. Massaging a good moisturising balm into these areas can help to ease the stiffness and loosen the affected areas.
- Nourishing dry skin: Balms are packed with moisturizing oils and butters that leave skin soft, smooth and in better condition. We commonly receive feedback about how our CBD balm has helped with a variety of skin complaints. The individual leaving the review often comments on how surprised at the degree of effectiveness the product has provided.
- Skin protection: A good balm will act as a barrier to the elements and can help protect the skin from environmental and weather conditions.
- Complementary: Works well alongside other CBD formats like CBD oils and capsules. Unlike ingestible CBD products, which for some individuals because of the cannabis connotation could cause alarm, CBD balm or other topical product are a better and gentler entry point.
Other uses for CBD Balm
If you’re new to CBD balm, here are some wellness-focused ways to make it part of your lifestyle:
- Individuals that regularly wash their hands: Apply a small layer to your hands to lock in moisture and add a layer of protection.
- For Hiking or Running: apply a protective layer to your feet to prevent rubbing and sore blistered feet.
- For Cyclists: Apply a protective layer to areas that can experience chaffing,
- Pre-Workout Prep: Massage the balm into muscles that are going to be used, to loosen them up in advance of exercise.
- Post-Workout Recovery: Massage a CBD balm into tired muscles as part of a cool-down process.
- Evening Wind Down: Massage, or better still get someone else to massage the balm into your temples, neck and back before bed. The essential oils within balm products can aid in the relaxation experience.
- Skin TLC: Apply it to dry patches, elbows, hands or knees as a moisturizing treatment.
- Lip Balm: Apply a small amount to your lips as a barrier, a small amount can often go far.
Tips for Choosing the Right CBD Balm
Not all CBD balms are created equal. To get the best experience, keep these points in mind:
- Check the Ingredients: Look for natural oils, butters, and plant extracts. Avoid products with unnecessary fillers.
- Do your Research: Reputable brands will often have customer reviews available to read. However, it is important that you only trust independently verified reviews as it is very easy to edit or select only the good reviews when placed on a brand website.
- Third-Party Testing: Trustworthy brands provide UKAS accredited lab reports to confirm cannabinoid content.
What does CBD Balm do Final Thoughts
CBD balm is not just another skincare product with a basic cosmetic function. Whether you’re using it to condition or moisturise your skin, or as a complement to other CBD products like oils, capsules and patches, it can offer a natural and versatile way to explore the benefits of CBD.
So, what does CBD Balm do? I hope that this article has shown the myriad of uses, but one of the best, is for individuals wanting to get into CBD in a gentle, topical, and enjoyable way, and CBD balm could be the perfect place to start.
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