8 Things to Check When Buying CBD Oil in the UK

Buying CBD oil in the UK can seem pretty simple at first. Pick a bottle, check the strength, and place the order. But with so many CBD products now available, there are a few more things worth looking at before you buy. Even terms such as hemp oil can sometimes make things a little confusing, especially when different products use similar wording.

A few simple checks can help you understand what you are actually buying. From the CBD strength and ingredients to lab testing and THC content, here are eight things to look at when choosing CBD oil in the UK. 

1. Check the CBD Strength 

It is worth spending a little time checking the CBD strength before adding a bottle to your basket.

There are plenty of different strengths out there, and the percentage can be useful, but it does not tell you everything. Have a look at the total CBD in the bottle and see if the label also tells you how much is in each drop or serving.

Then check the bottle size. A smaller bottle and a larger one might have a similar percentage but still contain very different amounts of CBD.

Once you know what to look for, comparing bottles becomes much easier. You can also get a clearer idea of whether the price matches what you are actually getting.

2. Look at the Ingredients 

Next, check the ingredients.

CBD oil can contain other ingredients alongside CBD. For example, it may use coconut oil or hemp seed oil as a carrier. Some oils may also have added flavourings.

It is worth checking this list, especially if you are comparing different CBD products. CBD oils, gummies and capsules can all have different ingredients.

A clear label makes it much easier to see what is inside the product before you buy it.

3. Find Out Where the Hemp Comes From 

Check the source of the hemp as well. Seeing “hemp” on a label does not necessarily mean that a product contains CBD.

Hemp seed oil and CBD oil are made differently. Hemp seed oil comes from hemp seeds, while CBD is extracted from parts of the hemp plant that contain cannabinoids.

This is worth remembering when searching for hemp oil in the UK. Always read the product description and ingredients, so you know what the product actually contains.

4. Look for Independent Lab Testing

Lab testing can tell you much more about a CBD oil than the front of the bottle. Look for products where testing information is available and easy to find.

A useful lab report may provide information about:

• The amount of CBD in the product.
• Other cannabinoids that may be present.
• THC levels.
• Possible contaminants.
• The batch or product that was tested.

Lab reports can make comparing products a lot easier. They let you see if the information on the label lines up with the test results. 

Just make sure the report is actually linked to the product or batch you are buying, not simply a general claim that the company tests its products. 

5. Check the THC Content 

It is always worth checking the THC content before you buy CBD oil. Although CBD and THC come from the same plant, they are different cannabinoids.

Take a look at the product label and check for any lab test results that may be available. These can give you useful information about THC and other cannabinoids in the product. It can also help when comparing broad-spectrum, full-spectrum, and CBD isolate oils.

CBD products also have specific UK rules, particularly when they are sold as food or food supplements. The Food Standards Agency offers guidance and maintains a public list of CBD food products linked to novel food applications in England and Wales.

6. Consider the Type of CBD Oil 

There is more than one type of CBD oil, and the difference is mainly in the extract used to make it. You will usually see three names on product labels.

Full-spectrum CBD: CBD is kept alongside other compounds that are naturally present in hemp.

Broad-spectrum CBD: This includes CBD and other hemp compounds, but is generally produced without detectable THC.

CBD isolate: This goes through further purification, leaving a highly purified form of CBD without the other naturally occurring hemp compounds.

It is easy to assume that all CBD oils are pretty much the same. They are not, so have a quick look at the label before choosing one.

7. Check the Manufacturer and Product Information 

Before buying, take a few minutes to look at who makes the product and how much information they provide.

A reliable product page should give you useful details instead of leaving you to guess. Check for things such as:

• The manufacturer’s name.
• The CBD amount and strength.
• Full ingredients.
• Serving information.
• Batch details.
• Testing information.
• Clear contact details.

Good product information makes comparing different oils much easier. It also gives you a better idea of what you are buying before you spend your money.

8. Compare the Price With What You Are Getting 

It is worth looking at the price, but try not to make it the deciding factor.

For example, one bottle might cost less but contain a smaller amount of CBD. It may also provide less information about the ingredients or testing. A more expensive bottle is not automatically the better choice either.

Take a few other details into account before deciding. Look at the bottle size, total CBD, ingredients, testing information and the manufacturer.

With all of that in front of you, it becomes much easier to see what you are really getting for your money.

What About Other CBD Products? 

CBD oil is just one way to buy CBD. You may also come across products such as CBD massage oil in the UK, capsules, gummies and other edible formats.

These products can differ in their ingredients, CBD content and how they are used. For example, a CBD oil designed for use on the skin is different from a CBD food product.

You may also see the phrase cannabis edibles in the UK when searching online. It is important to check the exact product description and ingredients rather than assuming that every cannabis or hemp product is the same as a CBD food product.

The FSA treats CBD food products as novel foods and has specific guidance around their sale and use in Great Britain.

Keeping Things Together

Choosing CBD oil does not have to be complicated. At CBD Guru, we believe it helps to start with the basics, such as checking the strength, reading the ingredients, looking at where the hemp comes from and checking for proper testing information.

It is also worth checking the THC content, type of CBD, manufacturer details and overall value before making your choice.

At CBD Guru, we want to make choosing CBD products as simple as possible by giving you clear product information to look through. Taking a few extra minutes to check the details can help you compare your options and feel more confident about what you are buying.