CBD Tinctures VS Oil: 3 Differences Consumers Should Know

The use of CBD products can have a variety of positive effects when used properly. Their supposed benefits can range from pain management to sleep aid. These and more are reasons an increasing number of people are inclined to try them. So, when it comes to trying the best CBD product for you, which one does which? 

CBD oils and tinctures can be great places to begin for people new to the scene. They’re easy enough to find and their variety of uses means you’re not likely to run out of ideas to try out. Learning their nuances can help guide you to the product that suits your needs.    

Additionally, it’s not uncommon to mistake one product for the other. They both come in similarly-sized containers and colors. Uninformed individuals have also mistakenly used the terms interchangeably on the Internet. Spending a few minutes to learn their differences can help you toward clearing up any misinformation you may have heard.

Read on to learn the key differences between CBD oil and its tincture counterpart.

3 Differences Between CBD Tincture Vs Oil

1. Components of CBD Oil vs. CBD Tinctures

The components of any product can be excellent indicators as to what it’s used for. The same can be applied with CBD products. Learning what they contain will help you make better decisions on which product is right for you.

Furthermore, doing some research on CBD sourcing can help assure you of a high-quality and ethical product. A helpful tip when considering the trustworthiness of a supplier can be through a thorough check of certifications. NAYSA and other leading companies practice this transparency on their websites. Ultimately, a quick look there can give you a better image of the product.   

CBD oil is made by extracting the product from parts of the hemp plant. Stalks, flowers, and seeds are all processed in order to get the most yield out of every plant. After which, the extract must be diluted with other carrier oils or base oils. 

These base oils can be:

• Vegetable glycerin base
• Coconut oil
• Olive oil
• Hemp seed oil
• Medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil  

Infusing the CBD isolates with the oil is necessary to create the final product. CBD extracted from the hemp plant doesn’t come out in liquid form yet. It appears as tiny granules that one might compare to cooking salt. Having the extracts in this state makes it difficult for the human body to absorb. 

This issue is quickly addressed through the introduction of carrier oils or base oils. CBD molecules are fat-soluble. As such, this makes binding their oils to carrier oils a smoother process. 

Additionally, it helps to achieve a product that the human body can better assimilate. Oils are naturally processed by the body in the small intestine, which means better nutrient absorption. 

Furthermore, other compounds may also be extracted during the processing. Flavonoids and terpenes are commonly drawn out as well. These can be used to make other products related to CBD as well.   

On the other hand, CBD tinctures are known to include a greater number of ingredients on their list. These added components create a more flexible and longer-lasting alternative to regular oils.

Components unique to CBD tinctures include:

• Water
• Sweeteners 
• Essential oils
• Vitamin supplements
• Herb mixtures
• Melatonin

Instead of diluting the pure extract with other oils, alcohol is the substance of choice here. Suspension levels of around 70% can be expected when looking up CBD tinctures. Furthermore, the use of this specific component is what makes the use of the word ‘tincture’ appropriate. 

CBD tinctures open up a world of possibility for application. The alcohol base makes it easier to introduce flavorings into the mix. Increasing the delicious and edible elements of these products has seen their popularity grow exponentially in the last few years.  

2. Shelf Life of CBD Tincture Vs. CBD Oil

Knowing your CBD products’ shelf life is an important aspect to keep in mind. Considering their specific lifespans and storage needs can help extend their usage in your home for as long as possible. It can also affect their taste and overall effectiveness when time comes for application.  

Firstly, CBD oils are also known to expire quicker due to their all-natural components. The extracts are merged with other oils, so other preservatives aren’t added in the mixture. Their shelf life typically lands somewhere between one to two years after production.  

Consequently, CBD tinctures offer more longevity when it comes to shelf life. The alcohol solution helps stave off deterioration even longer. You can expect your bottles to last for up to three to five years with proper care.  

One area these products share in common is the list of factors that can affect their integrity. Prolonged exposure to these conditions can affect your CBD product:

• Oxygen
• Light
• Heat 

A helpful tip when considering storage is focusing on dark, sealed, and cool storage places. Areas like medicine cabinets and difficult-to-reach cabinet shelves are some examples of excellent places to store your CBD products at home. 

Additionally, they also make it difficult for other members of the household to locate or even reach them. Application of these products must be meticulously controlled, so keeping them hidden can help prevent accidental ingestion from occurring.

3. Potency

Extract potency can differ between oil and tincture products. This can be attributed to the various ingredients added throughout the process. It’ll be necessary to keep this in mind in order to properly gauge the strength of the product during application.

CBD oil retains much of its potency when compared to tincture products. The oil itself is an immediate product of the extract, so the higher strength can be attributed to this.

Another reason are the other added ingredients to the mixture. Base oils serve to positively interact with the CBD oil. This means that dilution isn’t likely to happen and tamper with extract strength.

When compared to oils, CBD tinctures can come in the same amount, but harbor less potency. The hemp plant is saturated in an alcohol solution, and then slowly heated over time. This process provides a method of introducing CBD molecules into liquids.

Moreover, the other added ingredients also serve to dilute the concentration by a fair amount. The added benefit of flavor will also mean a slightly less potent mixture. It’ll be important to remember the amount consumed as the delayed effects can sometimes trick people into consuming larger amounts than recommended.

Conclusion on CBD Tincture Vs Oil

While looking into how these products help in everyday life, finding the product that best answers your needs will be the key area to focus on. While similar in some aspects, a clear look at the finer details can quickly reveal which product fits best with your lifestyle.  When looking at CBD Tincture Vs Oil you need to take these things into consideration.