How to Read a CBD Label: Potency, Ingredients & COA Explained
One of the driving forces behind Gemma and me starting Unspun was how unclear most CBD labelling felt. You shouldn't need a science degree to understand what you're buying. So when we got to designing our own packaging, we spent an unreasonable amount of time (Gemma would say it was perfectly reasonable) working out the information hierarchy to give people exactly what they need to make an informed decision.
Here's what we landed on: product type first, then cannabinoid profile (isolate, broad-spectrum, or full-spectrum), followed by the total mg of CBD. We find milligrams so much clearer than percentages, which can feel like you need a maths degree to decode. We also show how much CBD is in each dose, so you're never guessing. And if you're unsure what amount might work for you, our dosage calculator can help.
Being able to read a CBD label properly matters. It's the difference between knowing exactly what you're taking and just hoping for the best. Not every brand obsesses over making this information clear (honestly, most don't), so we've put together this guide to help you read any CBD label, whether you buy from us or not.
Quick Answer: A good CBD label should clearly show the total mg of CBD, the spectrum type (full, broad, or isolate), and a full ingredients list. It's also a good idea to check the brand's website for a clear Certificate of Analysis (COA) or lab report. If any of these are missing or vague, that's a red flag.
Why label transparency matters?
Being able to read a CBD label properly means you understand exactly how much CBD you're taking, can spot vague or misleading information, know whether a product contains THC, and can avoid poor-quality products with questionable additives.
It puts you in control.
CBD potency: what the mg actually means?
This tells you how much cannabidiol is in the entire product and, ideally, per serving. For example, if a 30ml bottle says "1500mg CBD", that works out to 50mg per ml, or 25mg per 0.5ml serving. We have a graduated dropper for our CBD oil so you know exactly how much CBD you're using. Some brands use mg per drop — that's basically useless since not all drops are the same size, obviously.
Spectrum types: full, broad, and isolate
The spectrum type tells you what compounds are in your CBD product. Cannabis and hemp plants contain at least 113 different cannabinoids, and the spectrum determines which ones end up in your bottle.
- Full-spectrum contains CBD plus other cannabinoids, including trace amounts of THC (up to 0.2% to be legal in the UK). Some people prefer this for the potential "entourage effect" — the idea that cannabinoids work better together.
- Broad-spectrum contains a fuller range of cannabinoids but with THC levels below the legal limit — less than full-spectrum but still trace amounts. The line between the two can be a bit subjective, but broad-spectrum gives you more of the full cannabinoid profile whilst keeping THC minimal. This is what we use at Unspun for our CBD oil.
- Isolate is pure CBD only. Nothing else from the plant. If drug testing is a concern, isolate is your safest bet.
A good label should tell you clearly which type you're getting.
Looking for some CBD?
Ingredients: what's actually in there
A transparent brand lists everything, not just "hemp extract". Look for the carrier oil — common options include:
- MCT oil (from coconut),
- olive oil,
- hemp seed oil.
We think hemp seed oil is the best choice because it keeps products 100% hemp-derived and brings its own anti-inflammatory properties. That's why we use it at Unspun.
You'll also want to check for flavourings (especially in gummies or flavoured tinctures), sweeteners, or preservatives if you have allergies or dietary preferences.
One thing to watch: products that say "hemp seed oil" or "Cannabis sativa seed oil" without mentioning CBD content. Hemp seed oil on its own contains little to no actual cannabidiol — it's not the same thing.
Certificate of Analysis (COA): your best quality check
A COA is a lab report from an independent, third-party laboratory confirming what's in the product — and what isn't. It's your gold standard for verifying:
- actual CBD and THC content,
- checking for contaminants like pesticides, heavy metals, solvents, or mould,
- tracing batch-specific data to your exact product.
When you're checking a COA, make sure the lab is independent, confirm the batch number matches your product, and look at the testing date (recent is better). If you have any questions about a COA, whether it's ours or another brand's, email the brand. Any decent company should be happy to explain their lab results.
If you can't find a COA? That's a red flag. We test every batch of Unspun CBD and make the results available because transparency isn't optional — it's the baseline.
What to look for before you buy?
Before clicking "add to basket", check the label for:
- Clear CBD amount - specific mg shown (total and per serving), not just vague "hemp extract"
- THC content stated - should be within UK legal limits (0.2% or less)
- Spectrum type labelled - full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or isolate clearly stated
- Full ingredients list - including carrier oils, flavourings, and any additives
- Accessible COA - third-party lab results available (check their website if not on the label)
- Serving size explained - so you know how much you're actually taking
- No medical claims - avoid anything claiming to cure, treat, or prevent conditions
- Not unreasonably cheap - random brands on Amazon are not your friend; they usually mean lower quality or mislabelled doses
If you can tick all of those, you're in good hands.
Why this matters?
Buying CBD doesn't have to feel like a gamble. Being able to read a label means you know what strength you're getting, you understand what's in your product, you avoid surprises (hidden THC, weak potency, dodgy additives), and you feel confident about your choice.
That's what we wanted when we couldn't find CBD that met our standards — and it's why we built Unspun. Clear labels, transparent sourcing, products that do what they say. If you want to dig deeper into how to choose quality CBD, we've written more on that too. And if you've got questions, our FAQ covers the most common ones.
FAQs
What does mg mean on a CBD label?
Mg stands for milligrams and tells you how much CBD is in the product. Look for both the total amount in the bottle and the amount per serving or dose — this helps you know exactly what you're taking.
What's the difference between full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate CBD?
Full-spectrum contains CBD plus other cannabinoids including trace THC (up to 0.2% in the UK). Broad-spectrum has a fuller range of cannabinoids but with THC levels below the legal limit — less than full-spectrum but still trace amounts. Isolate is pure CBD only. If drug testing is a concern, isolate is your safest bet.
What is a COA and why does it matter?
A COA (Certificate of Analysis) is an independent lab report showing exactly what's in a CBD product. It verifies CBD content, THC levels, and checks for contaminants. No COA available? That's a warning sign.
How do I know if a CBD product is good quality?
Look for clear mg labelling, stated spectrum type, a full ingredients list, and an accessible third-party COA. Vague terms, missing lab reports, or health claims that sound too good to be true are red flags.
