Category: CBD Basics

What's Inside a CBD Intimacy Oil: Five Ingredients, Explained

By Sarah Miletich 5 min read

Proof's CBD Intimacy Oil has five ingredients. That's on purpose. An oil meant for intimate skin is a place where less really is more: every extra ingredient is one more thing that can irritate, and most "extras" in this category are there for effect rather than for your skin.

Here's each ingredient, in label order, what it does, and what we chose to leave out. (The same style of post exists for our roll-on: what's inside our Ice Hot Roll-On.)

Key takeaways

  • Three carrier oils (grapeseed, sunflower, and MCT coconut) set the feel: light, slick, and nearly scentless.
  • Broad spectrum hemp CBD oil supplies 300 mg of CBD per 30 ml bottle, made to be THC-free.
  • Vitamin E is there to keep the oils fresh.
  • No fragrance, essential oils, flavors, or warming or tingling agents.
  • Oils and latex condoms don't mix. This oil is not latex-compatible.

The ingredient list

Grapeseed oil, sunflower oil, MCT coconut oil, hemp cannabis oil, vitamin E.

Ingredients are listed from most to least, so the carrier oils make up most of the bottle.

1. Grapeseed oil

Grapeseed oil is one of the lightest plant oils you can work with. It's thin, spreads easily, and doesn't leave a heavy or greasy film, which makes it a good base for anything you want to glide rather than sit on the skin. It also has very little scent of its own.

You'll sometimes see big claims made for grapeseed oil on skin. The honest picture is that it's rich in linoleic acid and natural antioxidants, but its direct effects on human skin haven't been well studied (Lin et al., 2017). We chose it for how it feels and how it spreads.

2. Sunflower oil

Sunflower oil is soft, mild, and one of the most widely used oils in skin care. Like grapeseed, it's high in linoleic acid, a fatty acid that's part of the skin's own outer layer.

It also has some of the better evidence among plant oils. A review of topical plant oils notes that sunflower seed oil has been shown to preserve the integrity of the skin's outer layer and improve hydration in adults without causing redness (Lin et al., 2017). That's the kind of gentle profile you want against sensitive skin.

3. MCT coconut oil

MCT stands for medium-chain triglycerides. MCT oil is made from coconut oil by separating out the lighter fats, which leaves an oil that stays liquid at room temperature, has almost no scent or taste, and resists going rancid. Regular coconut oil goes solid when it's cool; MCT oil doesn't.

That stability is the main reason it's here. It helps the blend stay fresh and silky, and it's also a common carrier for CBD. (It's the same carrier we use in our drops.) If you have a coconut allergy, note that MCT oil comes from coconut.

4. Hemp cannabis oil (broad spectrum CBD)

This is the CBD. It's a broad spectrum hemp extract, which means it keeps some of the plant's other minor cannabinoids, with the THC removed. There are no terpenes or other plant material in it.

Two things worth knowing:

  • This isn't hemp seed oil. Hemp seed oil is pressed from the seeds and contains essentially no CBD. "Hemp cannabis oil" on our label is the CBD extract.
  • The amount is stated: 300 mg of CBD in every 30 ml bottle, which is 10 mg per milliliter. Topicals don't have a "dose"; the per-bottle number is how you compare products. Our post on what 1,000 mg means on a topical explains why.

You can see Proof's lab reports (COAs) on our lab testing page, and Full Spectrum vs. Broad Spectrum explains the different CBD types.

5. Vitamin E

Plant oils oxidize over time: exposure to air, light, and heat slowly breaks them down, and that's what gives old oil a sharp, stale smell. Vitamin E (tocopherol) is an antioxidant that slows that process, so it's in the formula to help keep the oils fresh. We use it in our drops for the same reason (does CBD oil expire?).

What we left out

  • Fragrance and essential oils. They're among the most common causes of skin irritation, and intimate skin is more sensitive than most.
  • Flavors and sweeteners. Not needed.
  • Warming, cooling, or tingling agents like menthol, cinnamon, or capsaicin. These create a sensation by mildly irritating the skin. That isn't what we want here.
  • Petroleum and mineral oils. We prefer plant oils for feel.

Before you use it

  • Patch test first. Put a little on your inner arm and wait a day.
  • Not compatible with latex condoms. Oils can weaken latex (CDC). If you rely on condoms, check their packaging for what they can be used with.
  • Store it cool and dry, out of direct sun. The batch number and expiry date are printed on the box.
  • Pain, burning, or irritation that doesn't settle is a reason to stop and see a clinician.

  • For external use only. Warm a few drops between your hands and apply to skin for massage and intimate moments. Avoid contact with eyes.

FAQ

Why only five ingredients? Every ingredient should earn its place. On intimate skin, a short list means fewer chances for irritation.

Is it scented? No. Any faint scent comes from the oils themselves.

Does it contain THC? It's made with broad spectrum CBD that has the THC removed. Check the COA on our lab testing page for the numbers.

More in our CBD intimacy oil guide and the owner's guide.

Shop CBD Intimacy Oil

Sources

  • Lin TK, Zhong L, Santiago JL. Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2017;19(1):70. PMC5796020
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Condom Use: An Overview

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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