CBD is seemingly everywhere these days, showing up in a multitude of product categories, some beneficial and some altogether questionable (CBD bedsheets, anyone?). With so many options and applications, it can be difficult to separate fact from fiction — and to know where to start. We’re breaking down the basics, and sharing some easy ways to implement this wonder-working ingredient into your wellness regimen.
First, a quick intro: CBD, short for cannabidiol, is one of over 100 compounds called cannabinoids found in cannabis plants, including hemp. This compound interacts with receptors in the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which plays a critical role in maintaining homeostasis, or balance, in all animals. Your body produces its own cannabinoids (called endocannabinoids), but you may choose to boost your natural supply. That’s where CBD-infused supplements, sips and skincare come into play. Unlike Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD won’t get you high. In fact, by law, “hemp” is generally defined as cannabis that contains levels of THC that do not exceed 0.3%.
When it comes to CBD, we’re all about ease of use (and real benefits). Here’s a list of our favorite ways to fold 2020’s most popular plant into your daily routine…
Make it a Morning Ritual
Simplifying the measuring required of other hemp extract products, a CBD softgel — designed to align your natural body systems to restore balance that helps support everyday stress, sleep, recovery, mood and immunity* — can be the perfect way to start the day. Our pick, Prima’s The Daily, is a vegan option made with organically grown whole hemp extract with naturally occurring CBD, terpenes, polyphenols, flavonoids, and sterols. Wash one down with a big glass of water before your morning coffee or tea, and say hello to a significantly more even-keeled day. This is, hand’s down, our favorite way to take CBD.
Earn Your Recovery
Between everyday wear and tear and hard-but-necessary workouts, our bodies can take quite a beating. Take comfort (and enjoy a deep sigh of relief) with an advanced recovery rub featuring concentrated levels of CBD and a botanical blend to encourage whole-body recovery. This one from Prima, aptly named R+R Cream, boasts a whopping 750mg of CBD and a bevy of beneficial ingredients including cooling menthol, soothing eucalyptus, and skin-softening marula oil and shea butter — for intense hydration with a non-greasy feel.
Hand it Over
Raise your hand if you’ve been feeling the effects of repeated washing and obsessive sanitizing. Yeah…us, too. It turns out, a luxurious, CBD-rich body butter may be exactly what your mitts have been missing. Designed to soothe and replenish dry, dehydrated skin — and infused with whole plant hemp extract and five organic oils and butters — Prima’s Skin Therapy absorbs quickly to restore balance for skin in need. Bonus points: the soothing notes of citrus, clove, geranium and ylang ylang will keep you coming back just as much as your newfound butterysoft skin.
Skip the Alcoholic Sip
For many, a glass of wine (or an alternative alcoholic beverage) serves as an easy way to unwind after a long, stressful day. But for those looking to cut back — or perhaps leaning toward the sobercurios — a CBD powder blend that dissolves smoothly and seamlessly into any sip may be just the thing. A favorite: The Go-To from Prima, which features a subtle, clean flavor that pairs nicely with water, juice, tea (any beverage, really) and delivers what is essentially, instant zen. Even better: thanks to the convenient, single-serving packet format, it’s ideal for travel or on the go.
Soak it In
The idea of a nice bath at the end of a long day is often a welcome one — and for good reason. But some of the science-backed benefits of this self-care ritual might surprise you. From lowering blood sugar and burning calories to improving mood and cardiovascular health, the pluses are aplenty. Want to reap even more benefits from your regularly scheduled soak? Try adding a thoughtfully formulated CBD bath bomb like Prima’s Bath Gem. With Epsom salt, meadowfoam, eucalyptus and camphor, this cult favorite not only helps bring comfort, restore balance and encourage some much-needed relaxation, it leaves skin feeling beyond soft and luxuriously hydrated.
Get Your Glow On
It’s true, CBD can be found in so many products, it can be difficult to separate the legitimate from the less than. But one category that has certainly earned its place in the CBD space, is skincare. In fact, CBD has been shown to visibly smooth, calm and even skin tone, help support the skin barrier to restore vibrance and combat environmental stressors, and help reduce the appearance of discoloration, texture and redness for a healthy-looking complexion. And you’d be hard pressed to find a product that delivers on all of these (and then some) more than Prima’s Night Magic.
Harnessing the power of prickly pear oil and phytocannabinoid-rich whole plant hemp extract, combined with a multitude of vitamins, phytosterols and active botanicals, this award-winning facial oil literally works wonders while you sleep. Want proof? In an independent clinical study of 30 women after 8 weeks of use, 93 percent of participants saw an overall improvement in their skin appearance, while nine out of 10 saw visible a improvement in their skin texture, agreeing that their skin looked healthier, felt calmer, and benefited from an enhanced luminosity and radiance.
Turn up Your Wind-Down
In need of a good night’s sleep? Consider adding some CBD to your wind-down routine. Prima’s Rest Easy CBD powder — featuring a calming, relaxing botanical blend of whole plant hemp extract, L-theanine, hops, valerian and passionflower — is the stuff dreams are made of. Simply add a pre-measured packet to your beverage of choice and settle in for some well-deserved shut-eye. Want to make your non-alcoholic nightcap even more delicious? Add a single serving of this sleepy CBD powder blend to a cup of ginger tea. Add comforting honey, almond milk or lemon to taste.
