A Practical Guide to CBD and CBG in Kannaco Topicals

J
James Garman, Founder
7 min read
A Practical Guide to CBD and CBG in Kannaco Topicals
In this article

This guide covers the long history of hemp, how CBD and CBG are extracted, and how formulation, stability, and third-party testing shape Kannaco topical blends.

We make topical creams and roll-ons for everyday routines. This guide covers where the CBD and CBG in our blends come from, how they are extracted, and what goes into a quality formula.

A Practical Guide to CBD and CBG in Kannaco Topicals Kannaco: Topicals for Daily Life Discover how our topical blends fit into an everyday routine. We make our topicals to be part of a daily self-care routine. Our botanists carefully select ingredients like CBD and CBG, combining them in creams and roll-ons made for the skin. This guide explores where these plant-derived compounds come from, how they are extracted, and how they are formulated. Learn about how our creams and roll-ons are made, and why quality and thoughtful ingredient combinations matter. Explore Our Topical Solutions

Our botanists carefully select floral hemp plant varieties to extract Cannabidiol (CBD) and Cannabigerol (CBG). These non-psychoactive compounds are key ingredients in our topical blends.

Our botanists craft each topical blend, combining CBD and CBG. Below we cover where these ingredients come from, how they are extracted, and how formulation and quality testing shape the finished product.

Key Takeaways
  • 1 A Long History: Hemp was documented in ancient Chinese texts more than 4,700 years ago. CBD was first isolated in 1940 and CBG in 1964.
  • 2 Topical Products for the Skin: Our creams and roll-ons are topical products for the skin, so we do not claim that they treat, cure or prevent any condition.
  • 3 CBD + CBG Together: Our topical blends combine CBD and CBG, two non-intoxicating cannabinoids from hemp, with attention to formulation, stability, and third-party testing.

How Our Botanicals Are Sourced and Extracted

We carefully select premium hemp, cultivated either indoors in biosecure environments or sun-grown when nature offers its best. Our botanists ensure each plant meets our high standards, yielding non-intoxicating CBD and CBG. We then use precise CO2 extraction, a high-pressure, sub-zero process, to secure the pure compounds for our formulas. 

The extraction process really depends on the operators and their patience and care when isolating and extracting the different chemical compounds within that specific plant variety and crop. Great operators generally employ a gentler multi-phase process to preserve terpenes, flavonoids, and cannabinoids. 

These hemp-derived cannabinoids are also known as phytocannabinoids, meaning cannabinoids that come from plants.

CBD (cannabidiol) is one of the most widely studied cannabinoids found in hemp.

CBG (cannabigerol) is often referred to as the “mother of cannabinoids” because many other cannabinoids (including CBD and THC) are derived from its precursor, cannabigerolic acid (CBGA). 

Where Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Research

The use of hemp has cultural roots spanning millennia.

According to a publication in the NIH archive on cannabis in ancient Chinese literature:

The earliest documented use of hemp dates back to ancient China, where it was first described in the Shen Nung Pen-ts'ao Ching (The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica), a foundational text attributed to Emperor Shen Nung around 2700 BCE. This ancient text classified hemp among its "superior herbs".

Read the full publication here

By 1070 AD, the Song Dynasty's Illustrated Classic of Materia Medica also included detailed hemp preparations.

Modern Cannabinoid Discovery

The modern understanding of individual cannabinoids began taking shape in the mid-20th century. CBD was first isolated by Harvard chemist Roger Adams in 1940, though its complete chemical structure wasn't determined until 1963 by Dr. Raphael Mechoulam and colleagues. CBG was subsequently discovered and isolated by Dr. Raphael Mechoulam and Dr. Yehiel Gaoni in 1964.

The endocannabinoid system was described in the early 1990s, including the identification of endogenous cannabinoids like anandamide in 1992.

The Science of Topical Cannabinoids

Our creams and roll-ons are applied to the skin as part of a daily routine. They are topical products for the skin, so we do not claim that they treat, cure or prevent any condition.

Formulation and Quality 

Formulation Stability: Formulation research indicates that maintaining Products at slightly acidic pH levels (pH 5 to 6) helps preserve cannabinoid integrity.

Quality control remains crucial. Good practice includes third-party laboratory testing for cannabinoid content verification, standardized extraction methods such as supercritical CO2 extraction, and an appropriate formulation pH (5 to 6) for stability.

Current Research

Research on CBD and CBG in skincare continues. We do not make product claims based on it.

CBD and CBG Applications in Topical Products

CBD and CBG bring together a long history and modern formulation science in topical products. In our blends they are part of a formula made for the skin and used in a daily self-care routine.

As research continues, standardized quality control remains essential. Look for third-party lab testing and a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis (COA) with any topical you choose.

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a cell-signaling network in the human body. It includes endogenous cannabinoids (endocannabinoids) produced naturally by the body and the metabolic enzymes that break down these compounds.

Supercritical CO₂ extraction is an environmentally friendly method that uses carbon dioxide at supercritical conditions (above 31.1°C and 7.4 MPa pressure) to extract cannabinoids from cannabis plant material. This process produces solvent-free extracts, preserves heat-sensitive compounds, and allows for selective extraction of different cannabinoids by adjusting temperature and pressure parameters.

Transepidermal water loss is a measurement of how much water passes through the skin and evaporates from its surface. It is used as an indicator of skin barrier function. Lower TEWL values indicate better skin barrier integrity, while higher values suggest compromised barrier function.

Decarboxylation is a chemical reaction that converts acidic forms of cannabinoids (like CBDA and CBGA) into their neutral forms (CBD and CBG). This process involves applying heat over time to remove a carboxyl group. The conversion rates depend on processing temperature and duration.

Phytocannabinoids are naturally occurring cannabinoid compounds found in cannabis plants, as opposed to endocannabinoids produced by the human body or synthetic cannabinoids created in laboratories. CBD and CBG are examples of non-intoxicating phytocannabinoids.

Bioavailability is a general scientific term for the proportion of a substance that reaches the place where it is measured.

Terpenes are aromatic compounds that contribute to the scent of cannabis, while flavonoids are a group of plant metabolites. Multi-phase extraction processes aim to preserve these compounds alongside cannabinoids.

Floral hemp varieties are cultivars of Cannabis sativa L. specifically bred and grown for their flowers (female buds) to maximize cannabinoid production, particularly CBD, CBG, and other compounds. Unlike industrial hemp grown for fiber or seed, floral hemp varieties are cultivated with wide plant spacing (typically 6+ feet apart like Christmas trees) to allow large flowers to develop, and exclusively use feminized seeds to ensure all plants produce cannabinoid-rich female flowers rather than pollen-producing male plants. These varieties require intensive cultivation similar to horticultural crops rather than traditional row crops, with careful monitoring during the 90-120 day growing cycle. The female flowers contain the highest concentrations of cannabinoids like CBD and CBG, which develop significantly as flowers mature, typically reaching peak concentrations at 6-7 weeks post-anthesis (flowering). Floral hemp must maintain THC levels below 0.3% by dry weight to remain legally compliant, distinguishing it from marijuana varieties of the same species.

Yes, many people use them as part of their daily skincare routine. If a product is new to you, try a small amount on a small area of skin first.

Conclusion

CBD and CBG are well-known hemp compounds used in topicals. Understanding their history, sourcing, and formulation can help consumers make informed choices. Look for third-party lab testing and a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis.

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

 

Kannaco

About the Author

James Garman, Founder

Content Director, Kannaco Wellness | CBD Formulation & Education Specialist

Editorial Team Topical Education

James Garman is the Content Director at Kannaco Wellness, specializing in cannabinoid science, topical formulation education, and wellness content. With deep expertise in 1:1 CBD+CBG topical applications, James translates complex formulation science into practical guidance for both consumers and healthcare professionals. His work is informed by Kannaco's partnerships with licensed practitioners across the United States.

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