CBD has become a holy grail of natural healing products, and it seems like people are now adopting it in larger numbers for anxiety, pain, sleep, and inflammation issues.
However, the demand for CBD oil has brought up a lot of new brands in the market, which all try to place their product differently via different branding styles.
Sometimes you’ll notice that this difference is not limited to just the outer appearance, and the color of CBD oil also differs from brand to brand. This can be quite concerning for new users, but the color doesn’t affect the product’s effectiveness.
So even if you come across CBD oil in different colors, there’s no need to worry, as its healing and therapeutic effects will remain the same.
Today we will explore all the factors in detail and figure out why CBD oils have different colors and what it tells us about the product.
So whether you’re a newbie who is thinking about using CBD oil for sleep hygiene or an experienced user planning to buy new stock, this article will serve as a good refresher.
Type Of Hemp Extract Used
All CBD oils are made using extracts from hemp plants; they have a higher concentration of CBD and only trace amounts of THC. In fact, in all CBD products, the limit for THC is kept capped at 0.3%. CBD oils are mainly made with three types of extracts.
That’s why there are full-spectrum CBD oils, broad-spectrum CBD oils, and isolated CBD oils. The type of extract used is one of the major reasons behind the color difference in CBD oils.
Isolate CBD oil is the purest form of CBD and doesn’t have other hemp compounds like terpenes and flavonoids or the rest of the cannabinoids in it. That’s why it’s usually colorless, as it’s made by mixing carrier oil with dry and powdery pure CBD extract.
Next, we have full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD oils, both of which have all the cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes in them. The only exception is that broad-spectrum CBD oils don’t have any amount of THC in them, whereas full-spectrum CBD oils have 0.3% THC in them.
That’s why these oils usually have a darker shade of color due to the presence of multiple hemp compounds in them. This color range can also vary because of the type of hemp plant used, the environment and soil it was grown in, and other environmental factors.
The higher the concentration levels, the darker the color. The color range can go from golden to dark brown to a green tint, depending on the extracted source and additives involved.
Usually, the addition of flavors to CBD oils also affects their color. So an orange-flavored oil may have a slightly different color from a strawberry one. Though reputable brands usually avoid using coloring agents, you should still check the ingredients.
Type Of Extraction Method Used
The type of extraction method used in making the CBD oil can result in different colors. CO2 extraction and ethanol extraction are the safest and industry-standard methods.
The CO2 extraction method involves advanced machines that lightly heat the extract to separate the compounds, and it is a much cleaner and more efficient way. This usually yields light-colored oils as compared to the ethanol extraction process. Ethanol extraction results in darker and greener-tinted shades.
Why? This process involves the extraction of plant chlorophyll, which ends up forming the greenish pigment in the final product. Hence, you can figure out the type of extraction used based on color.
Alcohol extraction CBD oils may have a dark greenish shade, and CO2 oils may have a lighter or goldish shade. Though the filtration process can also affect the color, sometimes even ethanol-based oils may have a light greenish tint due to a decreased amount of chlorophyll.
Sometimes brands use even stirrer filters to completely remove the green color shades, so keep this in mind and don’t worry too much while buying CBD next time.
Carrier Oil Used, Expiry Date, And Ingredients
All CBD oils are made by mixing CBD extract with certain types of oils, like hemp oil, medium-chain fatty acid oils (coconut), and olive or argan oil. Most brands usually go with coconut oil, as being an MCT oil enhances the CBD absorption process.
Coconut oil is clear in shade, resulting in light-colored or colorless CBD oils and sometimes an orangish tint depending on the exact concentration. Whereas the use of olive or argan oil results in golden shades, the use of hemp oil gives dark brown and green shades.
The expiration date is also another major factor behind the color of CBD oil. CBD has a very long shelf life, and it is usually good to use even after two years from the manufacturing date. Though they do lose some effectiveness over time, they still remain completely safe for consumption.
The longer CBD oil stays on the shelf, the darker, thicker, and more bitter it becomes. It may also develop an off-putting smell and taste, so it’s better to be cautious and keep your CBD oil in cool and dark places with an airtight lid.
The type of ingredients can also affect your CBD oil’s color, so give it a good read on the label, and maybe you’ll figure out why the oil has a certain shade. Still, it’s better to buy from reputed brands only, which give you the latest lab test reports, accurate concentration levels, and a full ingredient list.
The Final Thoughts
To sum it up, the color of CBD oil usually doesn’t affect its effectiveness. The effectiveness is mainly dependent on cannabinoid concentration levels and frequency of use. Factors like the type of extraction method, hemp plant, ingredients, and expiry can give a range of different colors to CBD oil.
A CBD isolate will be lighter in color than Broad Spectrum Oil, but both will still have healing and therapeutic effects upon consumption. So next time you go on a CBD shopping spree, don’t let colors change your decisions.
Just make sure that you are buying it from authentic sites like Colorado Botanicals and have the most up-to-date lab test reports. Though try to store it properly, it does have a longer shelf life, but improper storage can lead to a bitter taste, a much darker color, and less potent effects.
So whether your CBD oil is green, brown, golden, or light, just make sure to store it right. Also, always start with a low dose and gradually increase the dosage for the best results.