CBD oil is an excellent way to supplement your lifestyle and improve your well-being. As its popularity grows, so does the number of products available. With wildly varying prices, purchasing the right oil for you can be a confusing experience. However, buying CBD oil needn’t be a risk if you’re armed with the correct information.
At Herb Reviews, we have been testing cannabidiol (CBD) since 2019; here you will find the best UK CBD oils based on our personal reviews. Each product on this list has been used for two weeks and you can find a full review elsewhere on the site.
If you’d prefer to save a little time; the number 1 CBD product we recommend is BioBloom CBD oil. It is full-spectrum and offers great value for money. Read the full BioBloom review here.
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Contents
Why Trust Herb Reviews?
With so much misleading and incorrect information on the internet, why should you trust Herb Reviews? Unlike many sites that only post sponsored content paid for by brands, we’ve actually tried every oil we recommend. We’ve held all of these products in our hands and used them daily for at least two weeks.
Not only do we get to know every item inside and out, but we’ve been trialling CBD oils since 2019. That’s a lot of hours, a lot of drops and lots of experience.
This experience helps us to find the best oils and cut through the ‘marketing speak’ that isn’t as honest as it should be.
How We Test CBD Oil
To ensure that we give every product the same review treatment, we always follow a set process. When it arrives, we familiarise ourselves with the information on the packaging and the website, before recording our first impressions.
Next, we tested it by taking a 20mg serving twice each day, once in the morning and once in the evening, and writing down how we felt. If you want to better understand how we review a CBD product, the full write-up can be found here.
The best CBD oils presented here all perform highly in the following areas:
Third-party Lab Results
All these selected oils have third-party lab results that are easy to access, detailed and simple to understand. The certificates match the claims and specifications made on the packaging. For example, if it’s labelled as ‘THC-free’ the analysis showed 0% THC or ‘none detected’.
Potency/ Effectiveness
All the featured oils produced noticeable potent effects when we tried them. If it doesn’t work for us, it probably won’t work for you either, so we won’t recommend it.
Value for Money
They all offer the best value when compared to similarly performing products. Most come in at no more than 6p per mg of CBD (£30 for a 500mg bottle).
In our experience, there are few oils that can justify charging more than £30 per 500mg. CBD extracts are not expensive to purchase from wholesalers and many of the products available in the UK come from large white-label producers.
Where we’ve included a higher-priced oil, it’s because the lab results, ease of use and potency make it worth the extra money. This is the case with the Bud and Tender CBD oil which has had the THC removed and been lab tested to prove that this is the case to a much more strict standard than any other broad-spectrum oil we have reviewed.
Our Favourite CBD Oils
To help you quickly find an oil that matches your needs, we’ve highlighted the best in five categories.
We’ve also included some other notable products, they are oils we rated highly, but they didn’t quite make it to the top of their type when we reviewed them.
The categories are:
Full-spectrum – This is our overall top choice because we’ve found that full-spectrum oils have the most beneficial ingredients and are the most potent when we reviewed them.
THC-free – Ideal if you’re concerned about THC intake, or are required to be drug tested at work.
Budget – If you want to keep your costs down or are new to CBD, a budget oil might be a good place to start. It won’t break the bank and there is little compromise on quality. We’ve balanced low prices with powerful effects to provide you with an option that’s incredible value for money.
Certified organic – Oils with an official organic certification have been rigorously tested and inspected by an approved organic authority. This gives an extra guarantee of quality and demonstrates that they’ve been produced without the use of artificial fertilisers and chemicals. (Currently, our choice for certified organic also happens to be the best full-spectrum oil)
Isolate – Containing only CBD and no other cannabinoids, isolate oils are free from THC, have a milder taste and are usually more affordable. They don’t provide the same range of benefits as those with additional cannabinoids but offer a useful alternative if on a tight budget.
Best UK CBD Oils
BioBloom – Best Full-Spectrum CBD Oil
Body and Mind Botanicals – Best Budget Full-Spectrum CBD Oil
Bud & Tender – Best THC-Free CBD Oil
Access CBD – Best Budget Broad-Spectrum CBD Oil
Medterra – Best Isolate CBD Oil
Eir Health No.9 Awake – Best CBD Oil for Alertness and Focus
Best of The Rest
Above are the best oils in each of the main categories. Since Herb Reviews began at the beginning of 2019 we have tested and reviewed over 50 different CBD brands. Those you will find below are all notable products. They are still high quality but don’t quite make as being best in class. It doesn’t mean that they are bad products, just that there are others where the results were slightly better or I personally preferred the flavour. So, in no particular order, we have:
Hempura CBD Oil
CBD Brothers Blue Edition
Cibdol CBD Oil
Endoca CBD Oil
Choosing a CBD oil – What you need to know
When you buy CBD oil for the first time it can be overwhelming. The language used is usually quite technical and all the products are slightly different. Here we will explain what these terms mean and give an overview of what you need to know to make an informed choice.
Why Do People Use CBD?
There are numerous reasons why people use CBD. Most of them are health-based and include:
- Improved sleep
- Reducing anxiety
- Giving up smoking
- Pain management
- Reducing inflammation
- Managing depression
- Exercise recovery
- Reducing blood pressure
Whilst there is emerging evidence to suggest that CBD can help with some of these conditions, much of it is anecdotal and not proven by peer-reviewed studies. Don’t buy CBD expecting a miracle cure-all. It isn’t, and the studies carried out often use much higher servings of CBD than are available in the food supplements sold here in the UK.
Is CBD Oil Legal?
Yes, CBD oil is legal in the UK, but there are some rules and regulations in place to ensure that it is safe and to prevent rogue retailers from making unproven claims. There are four criteria a CBD oil must meet to be sold legally:
- The container must have less than 1mg of THC, THCV, CBN or other controlled substances.
- It must not be sold as a medicine or with inferred medical benefits. To do so requires MHRA licensing.
- The controlled substances (THC, CBN etc.) must be packaged in such a way that they cannot easily be separated from the main product.
- The brand must apply for and receive Novel Foods Authorisation from the FSA.
Note: There is no law determining what the strongest CBD oil that can be sold is. If you would prefer a strong option, these are the strongest CBD oils available in the UK.
CBD Facts & Precautions
Non-intoxicating – Unlike THC, CBD is non-intoxicating and won’t leave you feeling high.
Side effects – Whilst CBD is considered safe (WHO), some people experience mild side effects. These can include nausea, fatigue, irritability, dry mouth, reduced appetite, diarrhoea and drowsiness.
Interacts with medications – CBD can interact with some medications causing unwanted effects. If you are taking any medication, you should consult with your pharmacist or doctor before trying CBD. If your medication has a grapefruit warning, then you must consult a medical professional first.
Not addictive – According to the World Health Organization; “In humans, CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential”.
CBD won’t show on a drug test – However, if you chose an oil containing too much THC, the levels can build up over time causing a failed test. If you’re expecting to be drug tested, we recommend choosing a THC-free option.
Extract Types
There are 3 main types of extracts used to make CBD oil; isolate, broad-spectrum and full-spectrum. Each one has its own pros and cons; a better understanding of these will help you find a product that provides value for money and is best suited to your needs. You will sometimes see other names used by retailers, these will also be covered below.
Full Spectrum CBD Oil
A full-spectrum extract is one that contains all the naturally occurring cannabinoids found in the hemp plant. CBD will be the most abundant, but you can also expect to find traces of THC, CBN, THCV, CBG and more.
Full-spectrum CBD oil can sometimes be referred to as “whole-plant”. A whole-plant extract is one that contains all the naturally occurring cannabinoids as well as any plant lipids and nutrients. Not all full-spectrum oils are ‘whole plant’, some brands prefer to filter their products to remove these plant nutrients leaving only the cannabinoids and terpenes.
Filtering out these lipids removes some of the bitter earthy flavours that the best CBD oils will usually have. Personally, we find whole plant and full-spectrum oils to be the most effective and this is why we recommend them above all others.
Pros
The most effective CBD oils are whole-plant or full-spectrum A range of cannabinoids, including THC is needed, to achieve what is known as the entourage effect.Cons
They can taste bitter and earthy They are more expensive than isolatesBroad Spectrum CBD Oil
A broad-spectrum CBD oil refers to one that has had the THC removed. The process most commonly used is chromatography, which is both complex and expensive and even then, some traces may remain.
These expensive processes mean a good quality broad-spectrum costs more than a full-spectrum oil. This price increases again if there are good lab reports to show how thorough the removal process was.
Lab reports for broad-spectrum products will test THC to ensure it comes in below a level of quantification (LOQ). The LOQ is the smallest amount of the substance that can be detected by their equipment. Products with no detectable THC are then sold as “THC-free”.
Note: We have also seen broad-spectrum referred to as narrow spectrum, usually when only a few cannabinoids can be detected on lab tests. One brand that offers a “narrow-spectrum” oil is Dragonfly CBD.
Pros
Gives peace of mind if you are drug tested at work. Suitable for those who are sensitive to the effects of THC.Cons
Good quality broad-spectrum oil is expensive Doesn’t contain THC that contributes to the entourage effect Not all broad-spectrum oils are truly “THC-free”.CBD Isolate Oil
CBD isolate is exactly what it says it is. The CBD has been separated from all the other cannabinoids, plant nutrients and terpenes to create a product that is almost pure. Usually testing at around 99% purity, isolate comes in the form of a powder or crystals that can be added to a carrier to create a CBD oil.
Isolate is by far the cheapest form of CBD as most people find it to be the least effective. As it is so cheap, it is often used to produce lower-quality products or increase profit margins.
Pros
Flavourless and odourless Cheaper than other types of CBD Perfect for those who are sensitive to the effects of THC.Cons
Doesn’t contain the other cannabinoids and terpenes that contribute to the entourage effect. Often found in lower-quality products.The Different Carrier Oils
There are a few common carrier oils that are used to deliver CBD. You may have already seen that CBD oils contain anywhere from 2.5% to 50% cannabidiol. This CBD extract is fat-soluble, so it’s mixed with a fat-based carrier oil to help it reach your bloodstream.
In 2019, the University of Minnesota published a study that demonstrated that the presence of fat significantly increased the absorption of CBD
The type and quality of carrier can make a difference to the bioavailability (how much CBD reaches your bloodstream, more on this later) and the overall effectiveness of your chosen CBD oil.
The most common types of carrier oil are:
- MCT oil
- Hemp seed oil
- Olive oil
MCT Oil
Medium-chain glyceride (MCT) oil is a form of fat that is easily digested. Normally extracted from coconuts, we consider this the best carrier oil as the easy ingestion of MCT allows the most CBD to reach your bloodstream.
Our personal testing backs this up; we take 40mg of CBD per day when reviewing a CBD oil and those using MCT oils are nearly always the most effective. Oils using MCT as a carrier often have a slightly buttery taste.
Hemp Seed Oil
Hemp oil has been extracted from pressed hemp seeds. It is a highly nutritious oil that is rich in omega-6 fatty acids. The benefits of taking hemp seed oil include reducing skin inflammation and the risk of heart disease.
However, when using CBD drops, you consume such a small amount of hemp seed oil that these benefits are insignificant. Oils using hemp seed as a carrier tend to have a slightly nutty taste. It’s not noticeable in all CBD oils, but in the mild ones, you can detect the pleasant hemp seed flavour.
Olive Oil
This is the least common of the three and is used because olive oil is linked to a number of health benefits. However, like with hemp seed oil, you will not consume enough to see any benefits.
The olive oil carrier is often highly filtered and doesn’t add any noticeable taste to the oil.
Bioavailability
Bioavailability refers to how much of the active ingredient makes it to your bloodstream to be utilised. It’s not unreasonable to assume that taking a serving of 40mg would see 100% of the CBD make it. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case.
Depending on how you take your CBD oil, this number is actually much lower. This is because CBD is broken down or destroyed along the way. The only way to get 100% bioavailability is to inject it directly into a blood vessel (DO NOT INJECT CBD!).
There are two main methods of ingestion; taking it sublingually (under the tongue) or swallowing it. Taking CBD under the tongue is the most effective of the two because it’s absorbed via the thin membranes in your mouth into your blood.
Choosing the correct application method can save you a lot of money in the long run. Choose the wrong one and most of the CBD will go to waste.
The different methods of CBD have varying rates of bioavailability, looking at numerous studies it is generally accepted that:
Method | Percentage | Speed of Effects | Effect Duration |
Sublingual Application | Up to 35% | 15 – 25 mins | 4 – 6 hours |
Swallowed/ Eaten | 4-20% | 30 mins – 2 hours | 6 – 8 hours |
Inhaled/ Vaporised | Up to 56% | 10 mins | 2 – 3 hours |
Rectally | 8-50% | 20 mins – 1 hour | Unknown |
It is clear that the most efficient method is vaping your CBD (if this is of interest, these are our selections for the best CBD e-liquids) but taking an oil under the tongue comes close.
Improving Bioavailability
Some manufacturers formulate their oils specifically to enhance bioavailability. A common way to do this is to use an MCT carrier oil. MCTs are smaller than most fats and allow CBD molecules to pass quickly from the digestive system into the blood. This is likely to speed up digestion and increase the amount that reaches your cells.
Another method that some brands advertise as providing enhanced bioavailability is to make it water-soluble. To do this, manufacturers treat the CBD molecules in various ways to allow them to dissolve in water. This means they can pass quickly into your blood and may avoid digestion. However, so far, there is minimal evidence to indicate these products produce better results than oils. Also, our personal testing of water-soluble products has seen no noticeable improvements in effectiveness when compared to traditional CBD oils.
What Strength CBD Oil?
When first starting with CBD oil, building up slowly from a small amount is the key to finding the appropriate serving size. Start with a lower strength, between 5-10% ideally, then steadily build up until you know how many mg of CBD per day works for you.
Once you know this number, you can buy a higher strength, which is normally significantly cheaper per mg. We do not recommend starting with a stronger oil because some people find it effective in small amounts (as little as 10mg per day) and the stronger oils can contain up to 25mg of CBD per drop.
Starting with the strongest oils could see you taking more than you need and spending too much.
The below table shows roughly how much CBD is contained in each drop of oil. This can differ slightly from one brand to another as the droppers come in different sizes. Double-check the product information when you buy to get the exact number.
Strength | Mg Per Drop |
2.5% | 1.25mg |
5% | 2.5mg |
10% | 5mg |
15% | 7.5mg |
20% | 10mg |
30% | 15mg |
40% | 20mg |
50% | 25mg |
How Much Should You Take?
Every person is different. The right amount to take will depend entirely on you. An effective serving for one person does not necessarily suit another. Bodyweight, metabolism and body composition can all be factors dictating how you react.
It is a good idea to start with a low, regular dose. Let your body get used to taking this small amount, then slowly increase it until you find what works.
The first few days begin with 5-10mg in the morning and another 5-10mg in the evening. Record how you felt each day and compare it to how you were pre-CBD. If after 3 or 4 days there’s no change, up it a little and follow the same process for a few more days.
Don’t take too much too soon, be patient when you start out. Why?
- CBD is biphasic – This means that it can cause different effects in different amounts. Alcohol is the perfect example of this in that a drink or two can make you feel happy, but in higher amounts, it is a depressant. If you take too much too soon, you may not get the desired effect and give up before you’ve even begun.
- CBD takes time to make changes in your body systems and it may take a few days, or longer before you notice any improvements.
FSA Rules on CBD
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has set out recommendations regarding the maximum amount of CBD an adult should consume alongside some warnings. They are as follows:
- No more than 70mg of CBD should be consumed each day (28 drops of 5% CBD oil).
- Do not use CBD if pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Do not consume CBD if you are taking any medications.
How Novel Foods Changed CBD
In the last two years, UK CBD regulations have put pressure on UK CBD brands resulting in significant changes in the products they bring to market:
The first and most publicised change was the European Commission’s ruling on novel foods. In 2019, they ruled that there was no proof that CBD had a significant history of consumption before May 1997. As a result, Novel Food Regulations classify CBD oils as a ‘novel food’ that must be evaluated and authorised prior to being advertised for sale.
In the wake of the Novel Foods ruling, some CBD brands presented their products to the Food Standards Agency for evaluation and authorisation, while others made fundamental changes to their products to bypass the regulations. For example, some brands opted to make cold-pressed oils, a traditional extraction method that doesn’t require modern solvents. Brands that offer cold-pressed CBD oils believe that they are exempt from the novel food ruling and that their products don’t need to be authorised.
The second change involves the interpretation of UK drug licensing guidance that states no container of CBD oil should contain more than 1mg of a controlled substance. While it might initially seem quite a precise rule, some brands were unclear as to whether it refers to each controlled cannabinoid individually or to all controlled cannabinoids in total. As a result, many brands have opted to introduce new THC-free products to completely remove any chance of them being taken off the shelves for their controlled cannabinoid content. This means more isolate and broad-spectrum (THC-free) oils are on retailers’ shelves than ever before.
How Long Will a Bottle Last?
This will be slightly different depending on how much CBD you consume each day. The below chart will give you a rough estimate based on purchasing a 5% oil. So, a 10ml bottle will contain 500mg of CBD and a 30ml bottle will contain 1500mg of CBD.
The table also lists cost per month (CPM) and this is based on a 500mg bottle of oil costing £30 which is 6p per mg and the upper end of what we believe to be a fair price. Buying a stronger oil will lower these costs if you find you need to take a higher serving size each day.
Amount per day | 10ml Bottle (500mg CBD) | 30ml Bottle (1500mg CBD) | Cost Per Month |
10mg | 50 days | 150 days | £18 |
20mg | 25 days | 75 days | £36 |
30mg | 17 days | 50 days | £54 |
40mg | 12.5 days | 37.5 days | £72 |
50mg | 10 days | 30 days | £90 |
60mg | 8 days | 25 days | £108 |
70mg | 7 days | 21.5 days | £126 |
How to Use CBD Oil
CBD oil is an incredibly versatile product. The simplest and most efficient method is to lift your tongue, squeeze as many drops of oil as you require into the bottom of your mouth and hold them there for about 90 seconds.
Do not swallow it straight away; as we saw earlier in the bioavailability section, eating your CBD is the least efficient delivery method. You are looking to absorb CBD through the membrane under your tongue.
If you have any questions or comments please leave them below.