8 CBD products you need to try—even if you’re a skeptic

When it comes to choosing a CBD product, it can feel like the Wild West. With almost no regulation in place, how can a wellness-minded, CBD-curious gal be sure she’s choosing a tincture, topical, or edible that will actually get her the results she craves? She turns to a trusted in-the-know source—which is why we’ve enlisted Anna Duckworth, co-founder and editor-in-chief of Miss Grass, an elevated lifestyle shop and publication for women and cannabis, to give us the lowdown on the CBD products *she* swears by.

Okay, so you’ve heard a lot about CBD: That you just have to try it. That if you haven’t tried it, you’re not living. That once you try it, all will be right with the world. And there’s some truth to all that. For many people, cannabidiol or CBD—the non-psychoactive healing compound found in the cannabis plant—can be a powerful treatment for common issues including anxiety, insomnia, and chronic pain. But with all the fanfare around CBD, the expansive sea of products on the market, and the fact that CBD is almost entirely unregulated, the onus really falls back on us—the consumers—to understand what we’re buying. And, more importantly, to understand what we’re putting in and on our bodies.

A quick Google search of “CBD products” turns up a mere 93 million results. That’s clearly more products than any one person could possibly be expected to try, much less try for long enough to know whether the products actually work. To make matters more complicated, there are a whole range of ingestion methods—vaporizers, sublinguals, edibles, smokeables, topicals—that can affect very different results, dosing recommendations fluctuate depending on the condition that needs treating, and products available in one state or country are not likely to be available in the next.

Needless to say, the variability of experience is vast. And navigating your way through the noise to find a product that works for you, that’s made with ethically-sourced ingredients, can be tricky—even on a really good day.

Rounded up here are some of my favorite, tried and true, give-these-to-your-mom products.

Apothecanna Extra Strength Spray, $38

This brand is what CBD dreams are made of. They’ve been around longer than just about any of the others and one of the founders started his career at Aveda—which is to say, he grew up in the plant-based beauty world before it was *a thing.* One of Apothecanna’s standout products is their anti-inflammatory Extra Strength Spray. Spritzed on swollen joints or sore muscles, the cooling, anti-inflammatory, and anti-rheumatic effects of the arnica, peppermint, juniper, clove and CBD can be felt almost instantly.

Foria Awaken, $48

Unless you’ve been blessed with a vagina that knows how to self-lubricate (and stay lubricated!) on demand, then you’re probably on the lube tip. You’ve tried them all: the goopy gels, the unruly sprays, the get-on-everything liquids, the mysteriously sweet-tasting ones—and the ones that conspicuously taste like antiseptic. But just like our mouths, our vaginas are another delicate orifice that deserves only the finest ingredients. Foria Awaken’s CBD-infused lube is all that—a completely natural coconut-oil-based lubricant that’s as good to eat as it is to spray on your fancy bits. Made with CBD, kava, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, peppermint, vanilla, and cacao, this lube has a warming effect that encourages natural lubrication by increasing blood flow and easing tension in the pelvic floor. So whether you’re slipping into something more comfortable all by yourself or with company, do yourself a favor and invite the CBD lube.

Wildflower CBD+ Vaporizer, $60

CBD vapes are getting more and more popular, but there aren’t many that draw as smoothly and refreshingly as the Wildflower CBD+ one. The beauty of a vaporizer is that it’s super discreet, and depending on your appetite for naughtiness, is pretty easy to slip into your pocket and steal away to the bathroom for some midday anxiety management. Other people are more in favor of the CBD vape before bed. Either way, it packs ultimate chillout effects with lavender, peppermint, and full-spectrum CBD.

2Rise Naturals CBD Oil Tincture with Turmeric, $60

The bioavailability of CBD—our body’s ability to absorb it—is surprisingly quite low unless taken with fats. Which is one reason the 2Rise Naturals tincture works so well; it’s made with pure MCT oil (yep, the same stuff you put in your Bulletproof coffee). Just a few drops under the tongue can help with brain and central nervous system function. (Or so say those who swear by it—as with all these products, results vary for each person.) And if that weren’t enough, the taste of this potion puts others to shame. Try a dash in your next homemade salad dressing or cocktail for an extra kick.

Cannuka CBD Calming Eye Balm, $38

Head to a pharmacy or big box beauty retailer and you’ll find eye creams on eye creams. But many of them, due to a lack of regulation of the beauty industry in the US, are made with some pretty questionable ingredients. And since your skin is a sponge, not a shield, it’s your job to do that due diligence. Cannuka’s eye balm is a staple for any clean beauty routine. Made with pure, simple ingredients—like beeswax, Manuka honey, grapeseed oil, shea butter, vitamin E, and rosehip oil—this hydrating balm is a sublime way to refresh and protect delicate under-eye skin while tackling puffiness and dark circles.

Plant People, Calm Capsules, $59

It’s always nice to know who makes the products you buy. Do they share your values when it comes to sourcing high quality ingredients? Are they nice people? Plant People is a brand that ticks all these boxes. The founders come by their obsession with CBD honestly: One of them is an award-winning chef, so it’s no surprise that their products are not only well-made, but good for us, too. The Calm Capsules are a quick, easy way to get your daily dose of CBD. This particular blend is designed to destress, help with adrenal rejuvenation, and boost brain function by pairing full-spectrum CBD with other clinical strength adaptogenic ingredients like ashwagandha, schisandra berry, and holy basil leaf.

Vertly CBD Lip + Skin Balm, $22

Vertly’s infused balm is deliciously moisturizing, healing, and protective. Use it on your lips or other dry patches—elbows, anybody?—and you’ll be back in business in no time. Made with coconut oil, beeswax, shea butter, cacao, CBD, jojoba oil, vitamin E, peppermint, and vanilla, this balm is entirely plant-based. And the woman behind the magic? She happens to be a former beauty editor, so she knows her stuff.

Ildi Pekar CBD-Infused Tissue Repair Serum, $148

This one doesn’t come cheap. But if ever you were going to shell out on a decadent serum for your face, let this be the one. Possibly the first CBD serum of its kind, and developed by none other than Ildi Pekar—facialist to the impossibly beautiful Miranda Kerr—think of this as a magical blend of highly concentrated ingredients that can target, correct, and actually prevent cell damage. Made with aloe, vitamins C and B3, probiotics, hyaluronic acid and even maple syrup, this stuff will quench your parched skin if anything can.

Thinking about adding CBD to your wellness regiment? First, talk to your doctor. Then, read up. And here are even more cannabis products to help with your sexual health *and* pleasure.