Short answer: serious CBD skincare should not contain THC in amounts that have any effect or break the law. CBD used in cosmetics comes from industrial hemp, EU-approved varieties with no more than 0.3% THC in the crop itself, or from synthesis, which is entirely THC-free. In the finished product it is a matter of trace amounts at most, and serious manufacturers verify each batch with laboratory analysis.
The difference between the crop and the product
The EU's 0.3% THC limit applies to the hemp plant in the field it is the criterion for a variety to be grown as industrial hemp under the EU's agricultural policy. The finished cosmetic product is another step in the chain: there the CBD has been isolated or refined, and the THC content must be negligible.
Synthetic CBD contains no THC at all. Hemp-derived CBD may carry trace amounts, that is why batch testing exists.
How to check a product
Ask for the product's certificate of analysis (CoA) a third-party laboratory's analysis of the specific batch. Three things to look for:
- The THC value should be "non-detectable" or a trace amount far below the crop's 0.3%
- LOQ (limit of quantification), how low a level the lab can even measure; a "0" without a stated LOQ says less than it seems
- The method HPLC is the industry standard
| Check on the certificate of analysis (CoA) | Good sign |
|---|---|
| THC value | "Non-detectable" or a trace amount far below 0.3% |
| LOQ (limit of quantification) | As low as possible, and stated |
| Method | HPLC (industry standard) |
We have written a complete guide: Sweden applies a strict stance on THC, stricter than many EU countries. That makes documentation more important here than anywhere else, and that is why at Helsama we require CPNP notification, a full INCI list and batch documentation for every external product we take in. Read about Read our review of hemp and drug tests.
Are THC and CBD the same thing?
No, they are different cannabinoids. THC is psychoactive and classified as a narcotic; CBD is not. More on hemp seed oil on the INCI list.
What does "non-detectable" mean?
That the level is below the laboratory's limit of quantification (LOQ), the lab cannot measure any THC with its method. The lower the LOQ, the stronger the assurance.