With the growth in CBD-infused skin care products and treatments, it is likely clients are asking questions related to drug testing. Skin care professionals can ease their concerns by explaining that the external use of pure isolated CBD skin care does not affect random drug tests. Drug panels test for THC and not CBD. THC is the psychoactive cousin to non-intoxicating CBD and is the reason consuming cannabis can produce a high.

When taking products internally, isolated CBD is the best bet. Full-spectrum, internal CBD products can be detected in drug tests as they have the full array of cannabinoids, including up to 0.3% THC. While 0.3% THC is a small amount, the way cannabinoids are processed in the body differs for each person. Therefore, it is always best to err on the side of caution.

To explain a bit more, products may be infused with either pure isolated CBD, full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, THC-free broad-spectrum, or whole plant extract.

• Pure isolated CBD is the cannabinoid CBD.
• Full-spectrum is an array of cannabinoids including THC and terpenes.
• Broad-spectrum is typically an array of cannabinoids including THC, but without terpenes.
• THC-free broad-spectrum is the same as broad-spectrum, except the THC has been removed.
• Whole plant extract is less refined and usually has an array of cannabinoids, including THC, as well as all the terpenes and other plant constituents, such as chlorophyll and lipids.

To help clients better understand CBD and drug testing, aesthetic professionals should choose to partner with a company that makes third- and fourth-party lab tests available. These tests show which cannabinoids are in the products.