CBD Extraction Methods and Why We Choose CO2

When talking about CBD oils, the first question most people ask is about strength or whether it’s full- or broad-spectrum. One question you rarely hear, but should, is about the extraction method. 

Extraction is the very first step in turning hemp into the CBD oils and topicals we rely on, and the process used can influence everything from purity and potency to consistency and overall effectiveness.

Because of that, understanding CBD extraction methods matters more than most people realize. The method shapes the final product, and not all approaches treat the plant with the same care. 

Quick Links:

• Overview of the Most Common CBD Extraction Methods
• How Supercritical CO2 Extraction Works
• Why We Choose CO2: The Best CBD Extraction Method
• What This CBD Extraction Method Means for Our CBD Products

Overview of the Most Common CBD Extraction Methods

Let’s start with one of the most basic questions that leads us into extraction: Where does the oil come from?

Before CBD can become a tincture, oil, or even a CBD topical, it has to be separated from the hemp plant in a clean, efficient, and reliable way. That’s where CBD extraction methods come in.

Essentially, extraction is the bridge between raw plant material and a refined, ready-to-use CBD oil. Hemp flowers contain valuable compounds such as cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, but they’re locked inside these microscopic, sticky glands on the hemp flower.

Extraction breaks those compounds free so they can be transformed into full-spectrum CBD oil, broad-spectrum blends, isolates, and other CBD products.

There are several ways to do this, and, much like CBD oils themselves, not all extraction processes are created equal. Each method uses a different combination of pressure, temperature, or solvents to draw out cannabinoids. Some approaches are older (more traditional) and still widely used; others are more modern, more precise, and designed for purity.

Here’s a quick introduction to the most common CBD extraction methods you’re likely to see in the market today:

1. Ethanol Extraction

Ethanol extraction is one of the oldest and most widely used CBD extraction methods. The hemp plant material is soaked or washed with cold ethanol, which dissolves the cannabinoids, terpenes, and other soluble compounds. After the wash, the mixture is filtered and the alcohol is gently evaporated off, leaving behind the extracted oil.

Ethanol is effective, relatively fast, and scalable, which makes it popular for larger operations, but the soaking process also pulls out chlorophyll, plant waxes, and other materials, which often need additional filtering and refining later on.

2. Hydrocarbon Extraction (Butane, Propane, or Blends)

Hydrocarbon extraction uses solvents such as butane or propane to separate cannabinoids from hemp. This method can preserve delicate terpenes and produce highly potent concentrates, which is why it’s often used in the cannabis industry.

However, because hydrocarbons are flammable and require careful post-processing to remove residual solvents, it’s not the approach every CBD brand chooses. Even when done correctly, this method requires rigorous testing to ensure no trace amounts remain, which can make some brands and practitioners more cautious about its overall purity.

3. Olive Oil (or Lipid) Extraction

This is the most natural and beginner-friendly method. Plant material is heated and combined with olive oil (or another carrier oil), which pulls out cannabinoids. Much like ethanol, it also draws out other plant compounds like fats, waxes, and chlorophyll.

It’s safe and simple, but it produces low-potency extracts and isn’t practical for commercial-scale CBD products. You’ll mostly find this method used in small-batch or DIY settings.

4. CO₂ Extraction (Supercritical and Subcritical)

CO₂ extraction, especially supercritical CO₂ extraction, is one of the most advanced and precise CBD extraction methods available today. Instead of relying on harsh solvents, this technique uses carbon dioxide under carefully controlled temperature and pressure to act as a clean, selective solvent.

Subcritical CO₂, uses lower temperatures and pressures, making it a gentler process that can preserve even more delicate compounds, but it often extracts smaller amounts of CBD and takes longer.

Supercritical CO₂, on the other hand, behaves like both a liquid and a gas, which allows it to pull cannabinoids and terpenes without leaving anything behind (none of the other materials that need to be filtered out later).

Because of its technical advantages (which we’ll dive into later), CO₂ extraction has become the gold standard for producing clean, pure, consistent CBD C02 extracts. It’s the reason many premium brands, including SuperTrees Botanicals, choose it for their CBD oil.

How Supercritical CO2 Extraction Works

To understand why CO₂ extraction is considered a gold standard, it helps to know what’s happening behind the scenes, but don’t worry, we won’t get too bogged down with lab-speak or lingo.

In laymen’s terms, Supercritical CO₂ is simply carbon dioxide that’s been placed under enough pressure and heat that it becomes something “in-between” a liquid and a gas.

In this special state, CO₂ can move through hemp the way a gas would, while also dissolving valuable compounds the way a liquid does. This makes it incredibly good at reaching the tiny resin-filled parts of the plant that hold the cannabinoids and terpenes with precision, without extracting any of the other materials that might need to be filtered later on.

The extraction process itself is fairly straightforward:

1. Hemp is dried, ground, and packed into a chamber.
   
   
2. CO₂ is pressurized until it becomes supercritical, then pushed through the plant material.
   
   
3. As the CO₂ moves through, it cleanly and effectively collects cannabinoids and terpenes.
   
   
4. In the next chamber, the pressure drops, turning the CO₂ back into a gas, where it naturally separates from the extract. What’s left behind is a concentrated CBD oil without solvent residue. Clean and pure.

From there, the extract can be gently refined if needed, but the bulk of the work is done by the CO₂ itself. Because it leaves no chemical traces and can be adjusted to target specific compounds, this method creates a clean, consistent CBD oil that many practitioners and consumers prefer.

Why We Choose CO2: The Best CBD Extraction Method

When you’re committed to producing clean, reliable, and effective CBD oil, the extraction method isn’t just a technical detail; it’s the foundation of the entire product.

For us, supercritical CO₂ extraction is the clear choice because it supports what matters most: purity, consistency, and trust.

We work with natural ingredients every day. Our goal is always the same: to deliver wellness products that are as close to the plant as possible, without introducing anything that doesn’t belong. CO₂ extraction lets us do exactly that.

1. It’s a Clean, Solvent-Free Method

Unlike hydrocarbon extraction (which uses butane or propane) or ethanol extraction (which requires careful filtering to remove unwanted materials), CO₂ leaves no chemical residue behind. After the extraction is complete, the CO₂ simply evaporates back into a gas and can be reused.

That means what’s left is the plant, nothing more, nothing less.

2. It Protects Delicate Plant Compounds

CBD oil isn’t just about CBD. The plant contains a wide array of beneficial compounds that enhance the overall wellness effect (the entourage effect).

Because CO₂ extraction uses controlled temperatures instead of harsh heat, it also helps protect the oil from oxidation. Oxidation can degrade plant compounds and, according to recent research on oxidized dietary oils, may contribute to unwanted inflammatory responses in the body, something most CBD users are trying to reduce, not introduce (1).

Minimizing heat exposure with supercritical CO₂ extraction helps keep the extract stable, fresh, and closer to its natural state, allowing us to capture more of those components without damaging them, resulting in a fuller, more authentic botanical profile.

3. It Produces a Consistent, High-Quality Extract

Supercritical CO₂ is extremely adaptable. Adjusting temperature and pressure, allows us to dial in the extraction to isolate the exact compounds we’re targeting. (Check out our first batch in 2018!)

This level of control means the final product is consistent across batches, something that matters immensely to us, in terms of product quality and consistency, but also to consumers who rely on predictable dosing and performance.

4. It Aligns With Our Natural, Plant-Forward Values

CO₂ is already part of the natural world. It’s non-toxic, recyclable, and environmentally responsible. Choosing it over harsher extraction methods reflects our commitment to clean ingredients and sustainable practices. Wellness shouldn’t come at the cost of introducing unnecessary solvents or additives and we like to keep all of our products all natural.

Ultimately, we choose CO₂ extraction because it lets the hemp plant speak for itself. The extract that comes out is clean, concentrated, and true to the plant’s natural chemistry. When you’re working with botanicals, clarity and purity aren’t optional, they’re the point. And supercritical CO₂ extraction is simply the best method to protect both.

What This CBD Extraction Method Means for Our CBD Products

Choosing supercritical CO₂ isn’t just a behind-the-scenes decision; it shapes the quality, safety, and effectiveness of every CBD product we make. Using one of the cleanest CBD extraction methods available means we’re able to deliver oils and CBD topicals that stay true to the plant, free from harsh solvents, and rich in the compounds that matter most.

For you, that means CBD products that are:

• Quality and purity-focused, with no leftover solvent residues
  
  
• Consistent, so dosing feels predictable and reliable
  
  
• Rich in beneficial cannabinoids and terpenes, thanks to a gentle and selective extraction process
  
  
  
• Aligned with our botanical values, prioritizing natural integrity at every step

Whether you're a practitioner recommending products to clients or someone exploring CBD for your own wellness routine, the method we choose ensures you get the cleanest, clearest representation of the plant.

If you’re ready to experience the difference, explore our full lineup of CO₂-extracted CBD oils, tinctures, and topicals. If you have additional questions, please feel free to reach out to our team. We’re happy to help!