What Should CBD Look Like - Color, Packaging, and More

The old saying, “don’t judge a book by its cover” is a decent standard by which to live. However, in the case of CBD oil, paying close attention to how it looks and is packaged is very important. After all, what your CBD looks like can potentially indicate its potency, whether it’s expired or incorporates ingredients you should avoid

Not all CBD is created equal, and certain visual cues may help you discern quality products from imposters. 

What Color Should CBD Oil Be?

The color of CBD oil can range from clear or slightly golden, to brown, dark green, and almost black. Several factors determine the color of CBD oil including the extraction method, filtering technique, type of carrier oil, as well as any ingredients that are added back into the oil. Generally speaking, the darker the color the more concentrated the CBD oil product is. 

CBD by itself is an almost clear color and is called CBD isolate. This type of CBD involves the highest level of filtration, removing all other compounds and terpenes. CBD isolate is less common for use because the terpenes and other components of the hemp plant assist in providing health benefits when combined with CBD. One positive to removing all other compounds except CBD is that you can feel confident you won’t receive exposure to THC.

Full-spectrum CBD oil has a dark brown or black color because it is a more concentrated form of hemp extract. A dark green color indicates that the CBD is still in its “raw” state and has not been filtered or processed in any way. Filtered CBD oil goes through decarboxylation to strip down most of the plant materials. Due to this removal of plant materials, the color will change and appear gold giving the CBD a smooth quality. 

So, you still may be wondering, what color should good CBD oil be? Well, that depends on what type of CBD you want to use. A good rule of thumb is to make sure you purchase high-quality products that are tested by a third party and are nowhere near their expiration date. 

Keep in mind that the consistency should never be cloudy. If this is how your CBD looks, it may be a sign that it is expired or uses subpar additives. 

Important: The Color of the Bottle Plays a Role in the Quality of the CBD

The packaging of CBD products isn’t just for looks. CBD oil lasts longer in certain types and colors of airtight containers. Amber and opaque-colored bottles help protect CBD oil from exposure to air and sunlight, both of which can cause the product to expire faster. 

Don’t Overlook the Taste & Smell of CBD

High-quality, fresh CBD oil should smell earthy and in no way unpleasant. If your CBD smells skunky or too strong, it has either expired or is not of adequate quality. 

CBD oil is usually described as having a nutty, earthy, or grassy taste. Full-spectrum CBD oil looks somewhat like resin or tar and has a stronger cannabis smell. If your CBD oil tastes “off”, it is likely expired. 

What to Expect from CBD From Botanika Life

Botanika Life exceeds the “gold standard” for using clean ingredients and creating effective CBD products. Rigorous third-party laboratory testing and quality control are conducted for all products, providing detailed certificates of authenticity accessible by QR code on all product packages.

So what does Our CBD look like? It is a clear, golden color due to the use of high-quality full-spectrum CBD and the superior filtration process. The color and lightness of each product vary based on the other natural ingredients featured in our skincare elixirs.

Botanika Life uses top-of-the-line opaque bottles to help prolong the shelf-life of our products by shielding them from UV rays. What more can you ask for from your skin care products… organically grown ingredients, potent CBD, and environmentally friendly packaging! No matter how you choose to use your CBD, we have the perfectly tailored wellness solution. 

Containing the purest and most effective form of CBD, the Elite Elixir not only transforms your skin but can also be ingested for a full-body experience. This powerhouse product combines hemp seed oil with full-spectrum CBD to decrease inflammation, reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and provide healing benefits to your body.

  

By Emily Wegener

With a unique background as an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, Masters Degree in Teaching and experience in Psychology, Emily spends much of her time researching and trying out new holistic healing modalities.