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Exploring Topical CBG: Advanced Formulations for Licensed Health and Wellness Professionals
We receive lot of questions about CBG, what it is, the difference, how it works, the difference or advantage vs CBD, THC, and why we use it in some of our most popular topical formulations such as our best-selling product, Pro Cream (Deep Tissue: Muscle, Back & Joint). This article serves as a detailed guide to help health and wellness professionals learn more about Cannabigerol (CBG).
Optimizing Formulation and Product Utility
CBG isn’t meant to outshine CBD—it helps add functional value to the formulation. For us at Kannaco CBD, it’s not about the individual molecule but more importantly what role those molecules play as a team when stacked together and profiled into a topical agent such as a lotion or cream emulsion – even a gel, balm or ointment.
Each topical type plays a specific role in how different ingredients are delivered and each ingredient plays a role based on the entire formulation. One way to look at individual ingredients is like a single player amongst many that make a team. We chose CBG in some of our topical formulations to optimize functionality and to be a complementary team player.
We are one of the few companies, and perhaps one of the first, to focus on creating oil in water emulsions (cream, lotion, etc.) featuring a relatively significant amount of CBG Isolate in a one-to-one ratio alongside CBD Isolate or Full Spectrum CBD Distillate depending on the formulation.
Cannabigerol (CBG) 101
Cannabigerol (CBG) is a non-intoxicating Phyto cannabinoid. It is a naturally occurring chemical compound that forms in varying degrees of concentration depending on the hemp variety.
It is often referred to as the “mother cannabinoid.” In topical use, CBG is attractive not because it “outperforms” CBD, but because it complements CBD—broadening the pathways your formula can engage at the skin level and peripheral tissue.
Early evidence and practitioner feedback suggest CBG containing systems can support a sense of local comfort, balanced skin tone, and cosmetic soothing—without psychoactive effects.
Topically, cannabinoids act locally by interacting with skin ECS components, sensory ion channels (e.g., TRP family), and lipid microenvironments that influence barrier feel and local perception.
A Phytocannabinoid is a naturally produced compound found in the cannabis plant. Well-known examples include CBD, THC, and CBG. These plant-derived molecules interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), a network of receptors and signaling pathways that help regulate balance in various physiological processes. Unlike lab-made cannabinoids, phytocannabinoids are fully natural, making them a focus of research in wellness, skincare, and topical science.
Human keratinocytes are the most abundant cell type in the epidermis, forming the skin’s outer barrier. They protect against environmental stressors, pathogens, and UV exposure, while also communicating with other skin cells through signaling molecules. Their ability to interact with the ECS makes keratinocytes important targets in research on how cannabinoids can support skin vitality, balance, and resilience.
CBG is called the “mother cannabinoid” because its acidic form, CBGa (a = acid), is the precursor from which most other cannabinoids (like CBD, THC, and CBC) are synthesized during the plant’s growth.
A floral hemp variety is grown for its cannabinoid-rich flowers rather than fiber or seeds. These varieties are bred to maximize resin, aroma, and cannabinoid content, making them ideal for extracts and wellness formulations. Aesthetically and aromatically, they resemble the THC dominant plants that are not federally legal. CBD and CBG dominant, floral hemp varieties must test in the field, before harvest, at less than 0.3% THC. Samples are pulled by the state and relative regulatory organizations.
Through selective breeding, cultivators have developed hemp strains with elevated CBG content, harvested early to preserve higher levels before they convert into other cannabinoids. During our years of hemp cultivation research, we grew several CBG dominant varieties provided by Oregon CBD, who specializes in hemp breeding and have pioneered some of the most significant breeding advancements in the industry with help from institutions such as Oregon State University.
Studies involving topical Cannabigerol (CBG) have progressed from cell studies to early human trials. A Dermatology paper published in 2007 explored several Phyto cannabinoids, including CBG in studied and observed for potential to inhibit human keratinocytes. (PubMed) In 2023, formulators created a spray dried CBG emulgel and demonstrated favorable permeation through biomimetic membranes, reinforcing the feasibility of delivering CBG via skin. (PubMed) Human topical data are emerging. A vehicle controlled study (n=20) found that a 0.1% CBG serum, applied after SLS induced irritation, significantly improved transepidermal water loss and reduced visible redness versus placebo over two weeks. (PubMed) In atopic dermatitis, an interventional pilot (n=9) using an ointment with 30% CBD and 5% CBG for eight weeks improved hydration, TEWL, erythema, itch, and quality of life. (PubMed) Beyond barrier outcomes, preclinical work indicates CBG’s analgesic and anti inflammatory activity, and potent antibacterial effects against MRSA—signals relevant to painful or inflamed skin and secondary infections, meriting further clinical study. (ScienceDirect, PubMed) Bottom line: while high quality, CBG only clinical trials in pain and inflammatory skin disorders are still limited, current formulation studies and early human data provide encouraging support for topical CBG’s dermatologic potential. (PubMed)
Formulation—Not Hype—Drives Satisfaction You Can Feel
The difference between “promising” and “practice-worthy” is formulation architecture.
We prioritize base carriers, excipient systems, and penetration enhancing ingredients (MCT, light esters, squalane), skin-friendly O/W emulsions, humectants for hydration, disciplined scent, and real stability controls.
When designing some topical formulations, we look for balanced cannabinoid profiles—for example, a one-to-one ratio of CBG:CBD (e.g. 1:1) between a total of 40 to 50mg/mL – validated by batch COAs. The ingredient selection, profile, and production SOP matters when it comes to density, glide, and grip or whether there’s a greasy / oil residue left or not.
Working with CBG in Topicals
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1 Synergy, not supremacy:
CBD remains the anchor; CBG adds nuance and synergy to boost formulation utility. -
2 Balanced profiles:
We like to feature CBG in a higher ratio, typically at an equal, one-to-one ratio with CBD. -
3 Adaptive Emulsions:
We select complementary compounds, all plant-derived, to complete and create more utility for the topical applications, all of which are not oily or greasy to maintain user experience.
Current research highlights CBG’s interaction with the body’s natural endocannabinoid system, which regulates equilibrium across multiple bodily functions. CBG binds to both CB1 and CB2 receptors, supporting balanced skin function, tissue renewal, and hydration—key considerations in therapeutic massage, rehab protocols, and integrative clinical care. Unlike THC, it’s non-psychoactive and suitable for use in settings demanding clarity and compliance.
CBG is gaining recognition for its ability to support skin wellness and complement the spectrum of effects offered by CBD. When combined in balanced ratios—such as those found in advanced products like Pro Cream and Deep Tissue formulas—CBG adds synergy to multi-cannabinoid blends. Practitioners report client experiences such as improved skin texture, better absorption, and enhanced session outcomes, particularly in high-touch therapies addressing muscular and joint well-being.
CBG (Cannabigerol) absorbs into the skin primarily through the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of the epidermis. As a lipid-friendly molecule, it moves through the skin’s natural oil channels and interacts with cell membranes, particularly those of keratinocytes. From there, it can influence local receptor systems, including components of the endocannabinoid system (ECS), without entering the bloodstream in significant amounts. Because the skin is dense and multi-layered, absorption is gradual, and the design of a topical formula—such as the choice of carrier oils, emulsifiers, or penetration enhancers—greatly influences how efficiently CBG reaches its intended site within the skin environment.
A lipid-friendly molecule (also called lipophilic) is one that easily dissolves in or mixes with fats, oils, and cell membranes rather than water. Because human skin is made up of lipid-rich layers—especially the stratum corneum—lipid-friendly compounds can move through these fatty environments more effectively than water-soluble molecules. This property allows them to penetrate the skin’s outer barrier and reach underlying layers where they may interact with local cellular systems. In topical science, formulating with lipid-friendly molecules is important because it improves how active ingredients, such as cannabinoids, are delivered and retained within the skin. Because the skin is dense and multi-layered, absorption is gradual, and the design of a topical formula—such as the choice of carrier oils, emulsifiers, or penetration enhancers—greatly influences how efficiently CBG reaches its intended site within the skin environment.
In summary
Cannabigerol (CBG) is emerging as a valuable addition to practitioner-grade topical formulations, not as a replacement for CBD but as a complementary partner. Evidence suggests it supports skin hydration, comfort, and barrier function while broadening the range of pathways engaged at the tissue level. When combined in balanced ratios, CBG strengthens formulation utility, enhances client experiences, and reinforces the credibility of hands-on professionals seeking evidence-informed solutions.
FDA 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.
James Garman
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