CBD Oil Tinctures vs. CBD Topicals: Which Is Right For Me?
by Kit O'Connell
Today, we’re comparing two of the most popular types of CBD products: CBD oil and CBD topicals, with a focus on Populum Full-Spectrum CBD Oil and Cold Therapy Hemp Rub.
With thousands of products to choose from in the CBD and hemp marketplace, it can feel overwhelming for newcomers. Even once you’ve identified a quality CBD brand, you may not know where to start from the product offerings. A lot of people start with CBD oil, because it’s one of the original and most common types of CBD products available. As a result, they might overlook the benefits of using a CBD topical (or of trying them both together).
Both CBD oil and CBD topicals are becoming incredibly popular, and more widely available. Nowadays, everyone from professional athletes to office workers to gardeners use CBD products daily. While CBD oil is wonderful for promoting feelings of balance and overall wellness, and encouraging relaxation and restful sleep, CBD topicals like Populum Cold Therapy Hemp Rub can offer targeted relief .
Whether you are buying CBD oil or CBD topicals, remember it’s always important to buy from companies with a great reputation and friendly, knowledgeable customer service. Always check for third-party lab results to make sure you’re really getting what you pay for: a pure, potent CBD that’s free of toxins like heavy metals and pesticides.
In this guide, we’ll help you understand when to buy different kinds of CBD products. First we’re going to explain the differences between CBD oil and CBD topicals, then we’ll talk about when and how to use Populum CBD Oil and our CBD topicals. By the end, we hope you’ll know a lot more about what products might be right for you.
A brief introduction to CBD oil
As we mentioned above, CBD oil, sometimes called CBD tinctures, are probably the most common CBD product on the market and often the first product people encounter.
There’s another good reason you’ll find so many CBD oils out there: lots of people feel a significant boost to their overall wellness when they take CBD. Many consumers report there are long-term benefits to CBD too.
The best CBD oils are relatively simple products, featuring hemp CBD extract combined with one or more carrier oils and, optionally, flavoring. Carrier oils, as the name suggests, help carry the CBD into our bodies, making it easier to absorb and easier to take the same amount each time.
Flavoring is a popular addition because hemp extract has an earthy flavor. Populum’s most popular product, Populum Full-Spectrum Hemp CBD Oil, adds a natural orange flavor that customers love. An unflavored version is also available, so you can find which you prefer most. Either way, Populum CBD Oil has a mild flavor that’s easy to swallow or mix into drinks.
The most common way to take CBD oil is to measure out a half or full dropper of oil then place the product under your tongue. Hold it there for 30-60 seconds. You can then swish it around your mouth a bit before swallowing. Many people take CBD oil once or more a day, working it into their regular daily routine.
CBD consumers and research suggest that CBD oil can promote feelings of overall wellness, balance and health. However, many consumers take CBD oil to ease specific symptoms as well.
CBD Topicals: What are they and how do they work?
CBD topicals are probably the second most popular form of CBD. In fact, topical preparations are now available for purchase in major brick and mortar stores like Anthropologie or some drug stores.
CBD topicals are designed to be applied to your skin, either to relieve physical feelings of discomfort or to promote healthier skin. Researchers suggest CBD has natural anti-inflammatory benefits, which is a major source of its popularity in these kinds of products.
Topical CBD products often combine CBD extract with added ingredients that can soothe by promoting warming or cooling sensations. These are mixed into carriers like aloe extract which already make our skin feel better. It’s worth noting that, since ingredients differ widely, some CBD topicals may not be suitable for vegetarian or vegan use. Populum recently redesigned more of our products to be vegan so everyone can enjoy them.
Got sore muscles or aching joints? CBD topicals like Populum Cold Therapy Hemp Rub can simply be applied directly to almost wherever you need a little more relief, from your back to your neck to your arms, legs, hands and feet. People use topicals for everyday aches and pains, and before and after workouts to help with workout recovery. You can apply CBD topicals multiple times a day, whenever you need them.
Another popular class of CBD topicals are aimed more at skin care. These include Populum Lavender + CBD Face Oil, which our customers say leaves their skin glowing when they make it part of their nightly routine.
Choosing CBD oil vs. CBD topicals: Comparing two popular CBD products
Now that you know a little bit more about the different kinds of CBD, let's put topicals and CBD oil up against each other and see which is best for different situations.
Use CBD oil for long lasting, overall wellness and relief: CBD oil products are a great choice if you want to feel better overall, or want to promote long term relief of aches and pains, promote better sleep or relief of everyday anxiety or stress, or ease troubling symptoms that aren’t easily reached by a topical.
Product Recommendation: 500mg Full-Spectrum Hemp CBD Tincture
Use topical CBD products for fast-acting, targeted treatment: Thanks to the anti-inflammatory and the added soothing ingredients found in quality CBD topicals, consumers say these products quickly ease painful symptoms of soreness and strain. They are best when you need relief in a specific muscle group or other part of your body.
Product Recommendation: Cold Therapy Hemp Rub
Use CBD skin care products to reduce inflammation and promote healthier skin: CBD consumers love adding CBD-infused topicals to their skin care routine, with soothing scents like lavender that can also promote relaxation.
Product Recommendation: Lavender + CBD Face Oil
There’s nothing saying you can’t use more than one CBD product, too. For example, you might take CBD before a workout to help support your body’s endocannabinoid system, then use a CBD topical on any sore muscles afterward.
This combination approach can be deeply rewarding, and many customers find relief in different places. For example, while CBD Oil is popular for promoting better sleep, many Populum customers report using our Cold Therapy Hemp Rub before bed to ease discomfort that can interfere with getting rest.
Final tips on choosing the right CBD
Although it’s very popular, CBD is still relatively new. The best way to learn how to use it is to experiment and see for yourself. Millions of people have used CBD products, from oils to topicals and beyond, to help them feel their best.
We know it can be confusing to pick the right product. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, start with just one… or pick up one of Populum’s CBD kits so you can try a little bit of everything.
Populum’s friendly customer service is here if you have any questions. We’d love to help guide you on your wellness journey.
* Author Bio: Kit O’Connell is a writer and journalist from Austin, Texas. His work has also appeared in Yes! Magazine, the Texas Observer, and elsewhere. He served as Editor in Chief of the Ministry of Hemp from 2017 until 2021.
