You could be forgiven for thinking that CBD oil is a cure-all, based on its rave reviews and the results of 50 years of research. Of course, this is not true; in the UK, CBD is not even classed as a form of holistic medicine, but it does have certain benefits for self-care.

Many people use CBD oils, CBD vapes, and CBD edibles to promote calmness and good sleep or use CBD topical skincare to soothe dry or sensitive skin.

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a component found in the cannabis and hemp plants. Unlike other cannabinoids, CBD has little or no tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which means that it has no psychoactive effects. However, the other ingredients found in hemp extract, such as terpenes and flavonoids, are believed to have some benefits, because of the way they stimulate the endocannabinoid system.

Since 2018, CBD products with low or no THC content are legal in the UK for sale and personal consumption. Many CBD brands in the UK now produce THC-free CBD capsules, edibles, and oils in broad and full-spectrum forms.

While pure CBD has its benefits, experts prefer these versions because they have more of the natural extracts from the plant. This creates something called the entourage effect, where the natural substances in hemp extract support each other to increase effectiveness.

Will CBD Get Me High?

No, CBD oils and products in the UK must be either THC-free or contain a very low level of THC that will not cause psychoactive effects. Even full-spectrum CBD products in the UK are made up of the non-psychoactive ingredients of the cannabis plant.

These include terpenes, flavonoids, and, of course, CBD, which activate the endocannabinoid system but do not have the same effect as the cannabis plant in its natural form.

6 of the Best CBD Brands in the UK industry

Because CBD was legalized so recently, the UK. market has generally suffered from a lack of the same high-quality CBD oil products that can be found in the U.S. In recent years, this has started to change, and these CBD companies stand out compared to others.

1.Vibes CBD

Vibes CBD really is all about the vibes; they have strong ethics, a positive outlook, and they distil this into their business and products. As well as offering some of the best organic CBD oil products on the U.K. market right now, Vibes CBD also stocks CBD gummies and CBD capsules for those who prefer to avoid droppers.

Experienced CBD users will be pleased to hear that their products come in both 1000mg and 2000mg per 10ml potencies, while first-time users may enjoy their range of flavoured CBD oil drops. Vibes CBD recommends that you use their CBD oil sublingually (under the tongue) for fast absorption and effects, but it can also be used as a food supplement (mixing in a drink).

Why we love Vibes CBD

Vibes CBD is dedicated to sustainable farming practices and does not use hemp plants that have been treated with harsh chemical pesticides or herbicides. Add this to their sustainably produced, recyclable packaging and you have CBD oil you can feel good about buying. Those looking to buy CBD that is balanced, effective, and smooth would do well to consider the original Vibes CBD oil.

2.Blessed CBD

Though there are now many brands selling CBD tinctures, oils, and edibles in the U.K, Blessed CBD remains as one of the well respected market leaders. Thanks to their unmatched quality, potency, and attention to safety, Blessed CBD has a wealth of customer reviews that rave about their products.

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Their products range in potency and you can find just about any amount of CBD per 10ml, with their strongest being 1800mg and the mildest being 500mg per 10ml. They also offer broad-spectrum and full-spectrum cannabidiol (which is believed to be the greatest benefit of CBD) without the strong, earthy taste that is common in such products. Each formula is created with a gentle, non-chemical extraction method, complementary carrier oils, and a range of phytocannabinoids, including CBG, CBDa, and CBGa.

Why we love Blessed CBD

What we love most about Blessed CBD is their range of lab tested products. Alongside their original CBD oil drops, you can also find CBD gummies, CBD capsules, and CBD vape pens and e-liquids.

3.Dreem Distillery

With the singular purpose of improving sleep around the U.K., Dreem Distillery is a specialized CBD brand with laser focus. Creating soothing, no-THC, organic, and sustainably produced CBD oil drops, Dreem Distillery offers high-quality products packed with beneficial ingredients. Their proprietary ‘Super Terpene’ blend takes full advantage of the entourage effect to promote good sleep.

As well as producing pure CBD products that are not contaminated by pollutants or chemicals, Dreem Distillery is committed to reducing their impact on the planet with sustainable, recyclable packaging. Their CBD oil drops and skincare topicals range in potency from 100mg to 1600mg, which makes it easy to get the precise CBD content you need.

Why we love Dreem Distillery

Dreem Distillery is perfect for new CBD users looking for targeted effects from a fairly mild and soothing blend. We love their dedication to their principles; they stick to their guns and put quality before profit when it comes to their range of products. The original Night Drops offer an accessible and gentle starting point for first-time users and those looking for sleep promoting products to add to their wellness routine.

4.Excite CBD

As one of the only UK-based CBD brands that bases every part of its supply line within the UK itself, Excite CBD is pretty unique. This choice is a direct extension of the founders’ desire to retain control over every aspect of the final product, and the results are stunning. Their range of CBD products include skincare, topicals, CBD gummies, e-liquids, and CBD oil drops (amongst other things), and their quality is hard to beat.

From seed to sale, Excite CBD avoids pesticides, herbicides, and chemical solvents, using only the best hemp plants to create pure CBD products in a range of potencies. Lab tested and packaged in recyclable materials, each product offers consistent goodness. With products ranging as high as 10,000mg per bottle, Excite CBD offers one of the largest ranges of CBD content per 10ml.

Why we love Excite CBD

As well as being organic, potent, and effective, Excite CBD products are accessible. While many of the best CBD brands only sell directly via their own websites, you can find Excite CBD products in Holland & Barrett or Boots. This opens the world of CBD to first-time users more easily. We love their Green Edition CBD oil for new CBD users, because of its mild potency and flavour.

5.Hempura

Hempura is one of the leaders in the U.K. CBD market for a number of reasons, but the most important is definitely their precise approach to their formulas. The vast range of CBD products on offer have all been tailored with a variety of wellness needs in mind.

In their range of lab tested, pure products, you can find CBD oils and CBD isolate tinctures in a variety of potencies and flavours. Using only organic hemp plants and a CO2 extraction process that doesn’t involve chemical solvents, Hempura has created a range of broad-spectrum CBD and full-spectrum CBD products that meet targeted needs.

Why we love Hempura

Hempura is one of the most versatile CBD brands in the U.K. market when it comes to potency. Their oils, topicals, and tinctures vary in CBD content from 300mg to 3000mg per 10ml, which means they have an option for CBD users of every experience level. They also offer flavoured options for people who aren’t a fan of the raw, earthy taste of pure CBD oil drops. Their low potency ‘No 3’ CBD oil is perfect for first-time CBD users.

6.The Good Level

If purity and sustainability matter to you, The Good Level could be your new favourite CBD brand. Using the best hemp, grown organically in the U.K. and Ireland without herbicides and pesticides, they use a cold-pressing extraction method to produce their CBD oils.

Each product is independently tested by a third-party laboratory, and lab reports are available on their website for CBD users who like to know exactly what they are getting. Fortified with olive oil, MCT oil, and hemp seed oil (all great, natural carrier oils), their products have a sweet, slightly earthy taste.

Why we love The Good Level

The Good Level is a perfect example of a company that lives up to its ideals and is great for beginners. Careful about who they work with, committed to ethical business practices, and exacting about the content of their CBD oil drops and products, they are consistent. Their range of truly full-spectrum CBD products vary in potency from 2.5% to 5%. We love the 4% CBD oil for its mild taste and balanced CBD content.

How We Choose the Best CBD Oil UK

When researching for this list, NutraHolistics considered a number of factors to ensure that we only recommended some of the best hemp CBD oil products and brands. These factors include:

  • Organic production
  • Extraction method
  • CBD content
  • Purity
  • Variety
  • Transparency

We chose the brands listed above because they use some of the best quality hemp plants, do not approve the use of pesticides or herbicides, use non-chemical extraction processes, and have their products lab tested by a third party. This ensures that there are no contaminants in the CBD oils and products they produce.

These brands also favour cruelty-free, sustainable, and ethical business practices, meaning their products are food for the planet as well as the body.

If you haven’t tried CBD yet in 2023, you could look into the brands we’ve suggested. Although brands are not allowed to advertise specific benefits of CBD, you can always spend a minute or two reading their testimonials to learn more.

This informative buyer's guide is the result of the collaboration between NutraHolistics, a Dutch health and wellness supplement retailer, and Nathalia Hoedjes, who has personally tested each product. Please be aware that NutraHolistics may obtain a commission for any products acquired through this guide, both now and in the future. If you have any hesitations or questions about using CBD, consult a healthcare professional or your doctor.

This article was brought to you by NutraHolistics and is not necessarily representative of the views of the Norwich Evening News