Full Spectrum CBD Topicals vs THC-Free Topicals
Full spectrum CBD topicals vs THC-free options: what’s inside, how they feel on skin, drug-testing considerations, and how to choose.
What You Need to Know About Broad-Spectrum CBD
With so many options to choose from, hemp extracts can feel complicated, but that’s where Charlotte’s Web comes in. We’re going to cover broad-spectrum hemp extract specifically, explaining what broad-spectrum CBD is, how it compares to full-spectrum CBD and CBD isolate, and why it may be the right choice for you.
Broad-spectrum CBD comes from a whole-plant extract with THC refined to non-detectable levels.† But there’s more to it than that.
What Is Broad-Spectrum CBD?
CBD (cannabidiol) is a naturally occurring cannabinoid found in the hemp plant. Hemp also contains other beneficial plant compounds, including terpenes and flavonoids.
Scientists believe these compounds may work better together than on their own in what is known as the entourage effect.
Broad-spectrum hemp extract contains CBD along with these naturally occurring cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, but without detectable THC.†
| Minor cannabinoids: Naturally occurring hemp compounds that interact with the body's endocannabinoid system alongside CBD. |
| Terpenes: Aromatic plant compounds that give hemp its distinctive scent and may influence how cannabinoids interact with the body. |
| Flavonoids: Naturally occurring plant compounds with antioxidant properties that complete a hemp plant’s botanical profile. |
Examples of Minor Cannabinoids
Hemp contains more than 100 naturally occurring cannabinoids, many of which occur in much smaller concentrations than CBD. These minor cannabinoids each have distinct properties and are often studied for the roles they may play individually and alongside other hemp compounds.
Broad-spectrum hemp extract preserves CBD along with minor cannabinoids like CBG, CBC, and CBN.
CBD (Cannabidiol)
Why CBD?
People choose products with CBD to support everyday balance, including stress management, exercise-related recovery, and restful sleep. CBD integrates easily into wellness routines, taken in the morning for focus and calm, the afternoon for recovery and stress management, and the evening for relaxation and sleep.*
Researchers are studying CBD for its potential anxiolytic, pain-relieving, and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as its effects on sleep quality and healthy sleep cycles.
CBG (Cannabigerol)
Why CBG?
People choose products with CBG to stay alert and pay attention, incorporating a CBG into their morning routine before heading to work, tackling their to-do list, or starting a busy day.*
Researchers are studying CBG for its potential role in supporting focus and cognitive health.
CBC (Cannabichromene)
Why CBC? People choose products with CBC to support recovery after physical activity, like a workout session or a long hike. People often incorporate a product with CBC into their post-exercise routine to help rest and refuel.*
Researchers are studying CBC for its potential role in supporting a healthy inflammatory response.
CBN (Cannabinol)
Why CBN? People choose products with CBN to help stay asleep throughout the night. Along bedside habits like limited screen time, reading, or keeping a consistent bedtime, people often use CBN to prevent nighttime awakenings.*
Researchers are studying CBN for its potential role in supporting restful sleep.
Who Might Choose Broad-Spectrum CBD?
So why choose broad-spectrum over the other two forms of hemp extract (full-spectrum CBD and CBD isolate)? Broad-spectrum hemp extract may be a good option for people who:
- Want naturally occurring cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids.
- Prefer products with THC-free† formulas.
- May be subject to workplace or athletic drug testing.‡
- Want a whole-plant hemp extract rather than CBD isolate.
‡No hemp-derived product can guarantee a negative drug test.
Is THC-Free† Always the Same as Broad-Spectrum?
No. A product can be THC-Free† without being broad-spectrum. Some manufacturing processes remove THC along with many of the other naturally occurring hemp compounds, resulting in a CBD isolate-based product rather than a broad-spectrum extract.
Does broad-spectrum CBD have THC in it? There is no detectable THC† in broad-spectrum hemp extract. Charlotte's Web uses the same proprietary hemp genetics from our full-spectrum products to make broad-spectrum hemp extract, removing THC through a refinement process that preserves the naturally occurring plant compounds that define a true broad-spectrum extract.
Does full-spectrum CBD have THC in it? Yes. Full-spectrum hemp extract contains trace amounts of THC (less than 0.3% THC).
You can even view a Certificate of Analysis to see the cannabinoid profile for each and every batch.
Full-Spectrum vs. Broad-Spectrum CBD vs. CBD Isolate
Because both broad-spectrum and full-spectrum extract retain cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, both can produce the entourage effect, an interaction in which scientists believe these compounds may work better together than on their own.
| Broad-Spectrum CBD vs. CBD Isolate | Broad-Spectrum CBD vs. Full-Spectrum CBD |
|---|---|
| CBD isolate contains only CBD. Broad-spectrum hemp extract contains CBD plus additional naturally occurring cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, while removing THC to non-detectable levels.† |
Both broad-spectrum and full-spectrum hemp extracts contain multiple naturally occurring cannabinoids and other beneficial hemp compounds. Only broad-spectrum extract refines THC to non-detectable levels.† Full-spectrum hemp extract includes trace amounts of THC (less than 0.3% THC). |
How Charlotte's Web Broad-Spectrum Hemp Extract Is Made
Charlotte’s Web takes a seed-to-shelf approach to our hemp extracts, controlling each stage to maintain the quality and consistency of the hemp’s naturally occurring compounds.Here’s how we turn our proprietary hemp into broad-spectrum extract.
Proprietary Genetics: It starts with proprietary hemp genetics developed through traditional breeding methods. That means non-GMO and no modern genetic engineering, only selection based on natural traits. These are the same genetics used to create our Original Formula.
Careful Cultivation: Before planting, growing conditions are carefully assessed, including soil and irrigation water testing. The hemp is then grown using organic farming practices and monitored throughout the growing season by agronomists and chemists to help ensure quality and consistency before harvest.
Whole-Plant Extraction: After harvest, the hemp undergoes supercritical CO₂ extraction to draw out CBD along with naturally occurring minor cannabinoids and other plant compounds. The resulting extract is then purified and prepared for the next stage of refinement:
- Done prior to extraction, decarboxylation uses heat to convert cannabinoid acids into their active forms.
- Winterization removes unwanted plant materials such as waxes and fats.
- Distillation and purification further concentrate and clean up the extract before the THC-removal step.
To create our broad-spectrum extract, we then use a proprietary refinement process called Supercritical Fluid Chromatography. This process removes THC to non-detectable levels† while preserving the naturally occurring cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids from the whole-plant extraction.
The finished extract is then tested for potency and contaminants, including pesticides, heavy metals, residual solvents, and microbes.
Want to try our broad-spectrum extract? Charlotte's Web offers options like broad-spectrum CBD oil in our THC-Free† CBD Collection.
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†THC-Free means this product contains non-detectable levels of THC. No hemp-derived product can guarantee a negative drug test.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products referenced are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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