We're always on the lookout to develop new products that aid in our pursuit to provide cannabidiol in a novel and exciting new way that works. Our motto has always been to produce or re-sell products that make a difference, or we can have an advantage over other offerings out there.

We also do our best not to confuse our customers and provide products that are closest to how nature intended them to be. Our medicine cabinets are mostly well equipped with essentials like sunscreen and eye cream, face cream/serum that we have tried, tested and have trust in them. So it is hard to convince users to replace their beloved moisturiser, pain relief gel, or other typical product made by significant pharma, or multi-billion market cap beauty companies.

@CleverBotanics we are delighted to be able to introduce EdenAromata's Full Spectrum Water-Based Hemp Roll-On 2.5% - 6 ml containing 150mg of Full Spectrum Hemp Oil Extract.  We have also produced the 10ml bottle with a pipette and spray pump option for application on a larger surface area. The product is available for purchase, with Swiss Organic Partners Water-Soluble Hemp Extract bottled and distributed by Eden Aromata in the UK for EU.

Also, choosing CBD related products should never be stressful (that would sort of defeat the purpose). Therefore, we pooled our collective knowledge, did a bit more research, and try and explain our approach for developing a Hemp Extract CBD Serum that works.

This article is for those that are already convinced of the power of the plant's health benefits. The science is somewhat complicated, and there are many other blogs here, and elsewhere I am sure you have already read. Having said that, you are not alone in having no earthly idea what a serum is and how it can be different from Oil or Balms and other topicals out there. Even if in the past you have purchased or given samples before, it's not particularly evident what the product is by reading the labels. There are several contradictions too: It's moisturising, but you still use other moisturisers. It can be oily or should it be watery, or it may contain other terpenes to exaggerate the smell? So many questions and we haven't even gotten to ingredient lists yet!
 

Can a CBD Serum also be a moisturiser?

The short answer is that they can be combined with moisturising ingredients (hyaluronic acid, ceramides), to help skin retain moisture while allowing the penetration of cannabidiol into the skin. However, that doesn't make them moisturisers in the traditional sense. Face lotions and creams are richer and create a barrier on top of the skin. They are mostly used to keep all that good stuff in and protect the skin from external harm. The Serum will have a better performance as the first layer without oil or moisturising component and therefore increase skin absorption of the cannabinoids by many folds. One can apply another layer of different products containing vitamins, and other relevant supplements without confusing the purpose of the ingredient in the CBD Serum, which in our case is organic Hemp Extracts with high CBD and minimised THC content.

Also combining the pure hemp extract product with oil-based moisturisers may reduce the ability for the cannabinoids to penetrate the skin. A lot of effort is made to make the particle/molecule sizes smaller and combining them with moisturiser is not a good idea as it will just add to the size and .

Typical usage of CBD Serum?

Depending on the condition, different quantity is required. Theoretically, once a day will probably cover your bases. A daily application after cleansing before moisturising is recommended and gently smooth and massage a small amount into the skin, wait at least 4 minutes before applying other layers of moisturisers or other medical ointments. Please consult your doctor if your doctor prescribes the lotion. At least ask your pharmacist if using an off the shelf product. Typical usage of CBD Serum?

The easy to use roll-on option is suitable for one person consumption and ideally not to be shared. The 10ml spray or pipette option can be shared by many and provides a more accurate dosage.
 

Tips and Directions for using your Serum. 

• Step #1 – Cleanse 
  Cleanse your skin with your favourite face wash and then exfoliate if necessary.
   
• Step #2 – Apply Toner, Mist, or Water
  If facial toners or mists aren't your style, you can dampen a wash-cloth with lukewarm water and gently pat on your face.
  This step is crucial because damp skin, whether by toner, mist, or water, is up to 10x more permeable than dry skin alone and in turn will be more accepting of your nutrient-dense face serum. If applying to other skin areas, soon after a hot shower is also a good idea.
   
• Step #3 – Application of the Serum 
  The standard application is one pump/spray is equivalent to 1/8 ml or 3mg of CBD and is enough for 20 square cm area. If you are using the roll-on then just roll on, and when wet, then that is good.
  If you are using the pipette, then 20 drops are equivalent to 1 ml. One drop should cover 8 square cm or just over one square inch.
   
• Step #4 – Wait 5 Minutes 
  After you have entirely applied your Serum, wait 5 minutes for the product to fully absorb.
   
• Step #5 – Moisturize
  While some face and body serums contain moisturising agents but our product does not have any other component than the water content. The product does not intend to replace your daily moisturiser or night cream or any other supplement that you may feel is necessary for your skin.
   
• Tip #1 – Patch Test
  What makes face serums work so well are their highly potent and concentrated ingredients. Never apply to open cuts and other damaged areas of the skin. If you have a complex skin condition, then please consult your Doctor or Dermatologist before any test.
   
• Tip #2 – Storing Your Serum
  In order to get the most out of your face serum, store it in a cool, dry place. If you are using the roll-on, then please do not share with others for obvious reasons. After usage, please use the product within 60 days.

Why a CBD Serum can make a good Topical

Having researched the subject and had long conversations at various conferences with many producers of CBD face cream, topicals, and I found most manufacturers try to infuse isolates into their existing products because they find it rather easy. We were not happy with the approach and stocking these products as with mixing an isolate CBD product which is devoid of many other critical cannabinoid components and much less effective. Also, combining pure organic hemp extract with other beauty ingredients creates confusion and may require much longer testing before releasing them into the market. IMHO it is better to apply them separately to the skin as we don't have enough knowledge of how they may interact with one another as a combined product.

• Oil-based products carry some inherent limitations. Namely, oil-based products suffer from bioavailability issues when ingested or in particular when used topically, because of the rather large Particle/Molecule sizes that cannot penetrate the skin.
   
• Using CBD isolate is also not a good idea. In order to reduce THC levels, so much of the plant goodness is forced out with the extreme processing of the original material during THC extraction. The product will almost completely be lost of its potency and almost all of the other useful cannabinoids. 
• We can mostly find Full/Broad Spectrum CBD Oils with low THC and high CBD content, including flavonoids, terpenes and other cannabinoids like CBN, CBDV, THCV, CBG, CBC, THCA, CBDA. Although their content is significantly lower than CBD, but they play a crucial role in achieving the entourage effect (cannabinoids “working” in synergy). Because THC content is so low, there is almost no possibility that you would feel any psychotropic effects that THC is famous for.
   
• Water-Based cannabidiol in nano-sized pieces is probably the best way to make the Serum with maximum bioavailability when absorbed into the skin. Water-based serums go under the moisturisers and other creams that you may find important. The Serum can nourish the inner layer of the skin because the molecule/particle size is tiny, so it penetrates deep to reach the important layers without the unnecessary oil carriers.

Is Essence also a Serum?
Serums and essences are very similar. If anything, they differ only in texture; Serums are more concentrated, while essences are watered-down with a more fluid texture. For example, same Estee Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair Serum is called an “essence in some countries and Serum in others.

What is the serum's expiry date?
Unopened bottles have a one-year shelf life and if opened the rule of thumb is to store the product in a cool, dry place and use it up within six months to a year.

Is serum right for your skin?

(Back to basics) Get to know your ingredients first. If you have a medical issue, then please consult your doctor for advice. However, it is clear from researching the Crowd-Sourced Data that the following can be helped with the plant properties.

Acne-prone:

Psoriasis

Feeling dull:

Wrinkles and Anti-Aging

Sensitive Skin

Pain (Fibromyalgia)

Many more issues that you can find more details in the references list below.

Just a little more on the science behind cannabidiol.

CBD stands for cannabidiol, which is a cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant. The products with CBD will not get you high like fellow cannabinoid THC. CBD derived from Hemp is always legal, while CBD derived from the marijuana plant is illegal except if the THC is sufficiently extracted from the product to bring it to <0.2% THC. While there is evidence that shows CBD and THC can reduce inflammation and pain when applied topically, not enough research is done on the science behind it. "There's a 2014 study in the Journal of Clinical Investigation that showed promising results for using CBD to treat acne." But more research is needed to validate the findings. Please google the subject of CBD Serum and topical application, and many positive results will come up for you to read. 

Finally is CBD topicals and serum safe to use on skin?

Unfortunately, this lack of research is kind of par for the course when it comes to skin-care ingredients. However, if you're already using something with CBD in it that isn't causing any issues and you are gaining benefits, that's great!

Luckily, CBD does seem to be relatively safe, and if you do have a bad reaction to a CBD product, it's unlikely that it was the CBD that caused it. Instead, it may have been other botanical ingredient, fragrance, dye, or preservative added to the product, for instance. If you want to give a try, it would still be smart to do so carefully—especially if you have sensitive skin. Using the product on an open wound or any major medical complications does require advice from your medical practitioner.

Please do apply on a test patch and ensure it doesn’t irritate you or cause an allergic reaction before proceeding with the formal application of the topical serum.