CBD Tincture Vs. Oil: Understanding the Differences

Even if you’re familiar with CBD products, it can be difficult to distinguish between CBD oils and CBD tinctures. Many CBD oils are misrepresented as tinctures, even though their carrier ingredients are completely different. Knowing the differences between CBD oil vs. tincture can help you decide which option is best for you.

Key Takeaways:

1. CBD oils have an oil base, while CBD tinctures use alcohol as a base. 
2. Soaking your CBD and straining the result leads to weak CBD oils and tinctures.
3. The Quick Wash Extraction Technique (QWET) can deliver superior results.  
4. Both CBD oils and tinctures have their own pros, cons, and best use cases.  

First Things First: What Is CBD? 

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a chemical compound known as a cannabinoid. Like other cannabinoids, such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabigerol (CBG), CBD is found in the cannabis plant. 

Various cannabinoids (as well as other beneficial compounds like terpenes and flavonoids) can be extracted from the flower of the cannabis plant and infused into oil or alcohol. These oils or tinctures can be used topically or taken orally and are perfect for edibles, and DIY skincare products.

What Is CBD Oil?

CBD oil is pretty much what it sounds like: a carrier oil infused with CBD extract. This is one of the most common cannabis products on the market. CBD oil isolate has only CBD, with all other chemical compounds filtered out. 

Broad-spectrum CBD oil can contain terpenes, flavonoids, and other cannabinoids from the cannabis plant, with the exception of THC. Full-spectrum CBD oil contains all beneficial compounds, including any trace amounts of THC which were in the the plant. 

There are several ways to make CBD oil at home. Some people simply simmer cannabis flowers in a pure carrier oil (typically coconut, avocado, or olive oil) and then strain out the plant material, but this renders a weak infusion. Extracting the CBD first and mixing it with oil provides a stronger, more potent product.  

What Is CBD Tincture?

CBD tincture uses high-proof alcohol such as Everclear or food-grade ethanol instead of oil as the extraction and carrier agent.

As with CBD oil, CBD tinctures can be labeled as isolate, broad-spectrum, or full-spectrum products. Full-spectrum oils and tinctures are considered the most effective due to what is known as the entourage effect.  

Some people soak their cannabis plant material in alcohol for several weeks, then strain it. That makes a weak tincture. To make a more potent tincture, they may heat and evaporate away some of the carrier, which wastes a lot of alcohol. Not to mention, when done incorrectly, this is a dangerous process.

A better method is to use QWET (Quick Wash Extraction Technique). By freezing your alcohol and plant material first and then combining them, you can create a wash that infuses the alcohol with CBD. Let it rest for up to 10 minutes, strain and filter it, then process it. 

But there are better ways to make a CBD Tincture.

Using a vacuum extraction method like ExtractCraft’s SOURCE Turbo machine lets you reclaim up to 95% of your alcohol to use again later. It gives you a stronger, more potent and effective tincture. 

Cold ethanol extraction is considered to be one of the most effective ways to maximize CBD potency.

CBD Tincture Vs. Oil: What's Best?

Wondering whether oil or tincture is best for your needs? Here’s a comparison of the pros and cons of CBD oil vs. tincture:

CBD OIL	CBD TINCTURE
Is easy to dose	Is easy to dose
Performs better for topical use thanks to the staying power of the carrier oil	Performs poorly for topical use due to rapid alcohol evaporation
Can be easily mixed with most types of food or drink	May not mix well with some types of liquids
Takes longer to work when taken orally or sublingually	Absorbs quickly under the tongue for faster effects
Is typically cheaper to make depending on the carrier oil used	Can be expensive to make unless a high-quality extraction method is used
Tasted fairly mild, and can be easily flavored with various ingredients	Tastes bitter, but can be flavored using alcohol-based extracts

 

Making Your Own CBD Oils and Tinctures

Now that you know the difference between a CBD tincture vs. oil, you can decide which best fits your needs. If you want to use CBD topically, you’re better off making CBD oil. If you want a powerful, fast-acting sublingual product, flavored CBD tinctures are your best bet.

You can start making your own highly potent alcohol-based tinctures at home using QWET and ExtractCraft. It’s the faster, more cost-effective way to create CBD products that are stronger and less wasteful than traditional tinctures or oil-based infusions.