Review: How Does the Expensive CBD Face Oil Compare to an Affordable one?
Image by Robert Nelson
I kinda hate trend products or ingredients. So when all the new CBD products flooded the marketplace, I was a bit skeptical about the quality of CBD being used within skincare. What are the benefits? Does it provide different benefits to other oils or moisturizers? Is it worth it?
Hopefully I can do a decent job of breaking all of this down.
What is CBD?
CBD (cannabidiol) is extracted as a powder from the marijuana plant and mixed with oil (olive, hemp or coconut) which help activate the effectiveness. It’s non-intoxicating, so you will NOT get high, that’s THC.
CBD is not hemp seed oil, which are sometimes confused or marketed as the same thing. Hemp seed oil only contains a little bit of CBD oil (if any), while CBD is a high concentration of cannabidiol. Double check your labels have “cannabidiol” listed in the ingredients, this is the FDAs requirement. If it has another name for it, it’s probably hemp or a hemp/CBD blend.
What does CBD do?
CBD in skincare caters to all skin types but really targets inflammation. Because CBD is packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents, it does a great job at treating eczema, acne, and psoriasis. It’s also known to have anti-aging benefits.
Studies have shown that when CBD oil is applied to skin, it calms skin inflammation (acne) and help soothe the skin (great for sensitive skin types). It’s also known to help balance skins natural oils and decreases any excess sebum production.
How to shop for it
If the word cannabididiol is not listed in the ingredients, it’s not INCI-compliant .
CBD oil is not the same as hemp seed oil (or extract).
If a brand is using pure CBD, they typically have some sort of certification listed either on the packaging or site. Check it to make sure you are getting what you pay for.
This is a sensitive ingredient. Be sure to pick brands that are using packaging to keep the ingredient stable. So no clear bottles or lids that may let oxygen in.
What products am I comparing?
I wanted to pick an expensive and affordable CBD oil, to compare benefits. Basically I wanna see if the expensive one is worth it. I picked Vertly’s CBD Face Serum that costs $110 for 1oz and Herbivore’s Emerald CBD + Adaptogens Deep Moisture Glow Oil that costs $58 for 1oz.
Image by Vertly
Vertly CBD Face Serum $110
What I like About it
Has a nice subtle smell to it.
It significantly reduce the redness in my skin.
Calmed my acne, to where it didn’t look like I was getting new break outs at all.
My skin’s textured looked fantastic.
Was incredibly hydrating.
Overall my skin looked like it was glowing!
Had a thick very olive oil like weight to it, but absorbed quite quickly into the skin. Great for layering.
Created a nice base for my makeup.
Packaging is nice!
What Don’t I like About it
It’s expensive.
How to use
Apply 3 to 5 drops onto clean skin. Warm drops between fingertips and gently press into face, neck and décolleté. Apply morning, evening or and as needed.
Ingredients
Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Borago Officinalis (Borage) Seed Oil, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Seed Oil, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Oil, Full Spectrum Cannabinoids (CBD), Caprylic/ Capric Triglyceride, Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Seed Oil, Brassica Oleracea Italica (Broccoli) Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Coffea Arabica (Green Coffee) Oil, Calendula Officinalis (Calendula), Flower, Centella Asiatica (Gotu Kola), Equisetum Arvense (Horsetail), Urtica Dioica (Nettle), Vitis Vinifera (Grapeseed Oil), Hippophae Rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn) Fruit Oil, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Citrus Aurantium (Bergamot) Oil, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens (Geranium) Oil, Boswellia Carteri (Frankincense) Oil, Jasminum Grandiflorum (Jasmine) Oil, Citrus Aurantium (Neroli) Oil, Daucus Carota (Carrot Seed) Oil
Image by Herbivore
Herbivore Emerald CBD + Adaptogens Deep Moisture Glow Oil $58
What I like About it
Is a great hydration booster.
It’s half the price of Vertly (and Saint Jane).
It does reduce the redness in my skin.
What Don’t I like About it
It has a very earthy smell to it. Like REAL earthy… a bit skunk-y….
It has a blend of CBD and hemp seed oil, which means this may not actually have a large amount of CBD in it.
The texture is more of a water-y oil.
It doesn’t absorb as nicely as the Vertly does, so I recommend using about 3-4 drops.
It made my pores a little congested, which is the opposite of what I want it to do.
How to use
Apply approximately two to eight drops to cleansed and toned skin. Massage into skin and allow to absorb for one to three minutes before applying makeup. Use both day and night.
Ingredients
Squalane, Cannabis Sativa (hemp) Seed Oil, Caprylic /Capric Triglyceride (MCT/Fractionated Coconut Oil), Withania Somnifera (Ashwagandha) Leaf Extract (and) Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil & Lentinus Edodes (Shiitake) Extract, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Borago Ocinalis, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Proprietary Blend of Pure Essential Oils and Absolutes, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract (and) Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract (and) Amino Esters-1 (ex Mimosa Tenuiflora) (and) Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract (and) Solanum Melongena (Eggplant) Fruit Extract (and) Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract (and) Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract (and) Ocimum Basilicum (Basil) Flower/Leaf Extract (and) Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract (and) Corallina Ocinalis Extract
Image by Gras Grün
In conclusion…
You get what you pay for. While I really wanted to love Emerald by Herbivore because of the price point, Vertly was the clear winner here. Vertly did exactly the same things as Herbivore but didn’t clog my pores and I really saw a big difference with my skins texture. So while the price point is high… (mom joke) the benefits outweigh it and i’ll be adding more Vertly products to my routine!
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