Last updated: October 2026
Full spectrum CBD contains everything from the hemp plant, including THC. Broad spectrum keeps the other cannabinoids and terpenes but removes the THC. Isolate is pure CBD and nothing else. In the UK, THC is a controlled drug, so broad spectrum is the popular choice: you get the wider plant profile without the THC.
This guide compares all three side by side, clears up the “0.2% THC” myth, looks at what the entourage effect research really shows, and helps you choose.
Full spectrum vs broad spectrum vs isolate at a glance
| Full spectrum | Broad spectrum | Isolate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CBD | Yes | Yes | Yes, 99%+ pure |
| Other cannabinoids (CBG, CBN, CBC) | Yes | Yes | No |
| Terpenes and flavonoids | Yes | Yes, some may be added back | No |
| THC | Yes, in small amounts | Removed (should test as not detected) | No |
| UK legal position | Only if it meets strict THC rules | Legal if it meets FSA rules | Legal if it meets FSA rules |
| Drug test risk | Higher | Very low | Lowest |
| Taste | Earthy, “hempy” | Mildly earthy | Neutral |
| Best for | People who want every plant compound and aren’t tested | Most people in the UK | Zero tolerance for other compounds, or neutral taste |
What is full spectrum CBD?
Full spectrum CBD is an extract that keeps the hemp plant’s natural mix of compounds: CBD, minor cannabinoids such as CBG and CBN, terpenes, flavonoids and a small amount of THC. Nothing is deliberately removed after extraction apart from plant waxes and solvents.
In countries such as the US, full spectrum is common because a little THC is allowed. In the UK, THC is a Class B controlled drug, which makes full spectrum products a legal grey area (see below). Read more in what is full spectrum CBD?
What is broad spectrum CBD?
Broad spectrum starts as a full plant extract, then the THC is removed, usually by chromatography or distillation. The result keeps CBD alongside other cannabinoids and terpenes, but with THC at levels a lab can’t detect. Some brands add selected terpenes back for flavour or to shape the blend.
That makes broad spectrum the middle ground: a wider plant profile than isolate, without the THC. All Evopure CBD products are broad spectrum with 0% THC, including our Evolabs flavoured oils. Our Sleep and Flow oils also add terpene blends and botanicals.
What is CBD isolate?
CBD isolate is CBD on its own, refined into a white crystalline powder that is usually 99% pure or more. Everything else from the plant is removed. Isolate has no taste or smell, which makes it popular for edibles, drinks and flavoured oils. It is the simplest option if you want CBD and nothing else. Read more in what is CBD isolate? and what is CBD distillate?
Is full spectrum CBD legal in the UK?
Only in narrow circumstances. You will often read that CBD is legal in the UK “with up to 0.2% THC”. That is a myth: the 0.2% figure relates to licences for growing hemp, not to finished products.
According to the Home Office, any CBD product containing a controlled cannabinoid such as THC is itself a Class B controlled drug, unless it meets the “exempt product” definition. One of the conditions is that it contains no more than 1mg of each controlled cannabinoid in the whole container, not per dose, and that it isn’t designed to deliver THC. Many full spectrum oils sold online can’t show that they meet this test.
CBD food supplements also need to be linked to an application on the FSA public list. Broad spectrum and isolate products with THC “not detected” avoid the THC question altogether. See is CBD legal in the UK? and the FSA’s CBD decision explained.
The entourage effect: what the evidence says
The “entourage effect” is the idea that the compounds in hemp work better together than CBD does alone. It is the main argument for full and broad spectrum over isolate.
- The theory: a widely cited 2011 review argued that terpenes and minor cannabinoids could add to or shape CBD’s effects.
- The best-known human data: a 2018 review of observational studies in people with hard-to-treat epilepsy found those using CBD-rich plant extracts reported improvement at lower doses than those using purified CBD. But on the standard measure of response, there was no difference, and the authors worked for an extracts company.
- What’s missing: there are no good head-to-head trials comparing full spectrum, broad spectrum and isolate for everyday use.
So the entourage effect is plausible and many people prefer whole-plant products, but it isn’t proven. We choose broad spectrum because it keeps the wider plant profile without THC. Read more: the entourage effect explained, what are terpenes? and cannabinoids guide.
Which type is best for you?
| If you… | Choose |
|---|---|
| Are drug tested at work, drive for a living or play competitive sport | Broad spectrum or isolate with THC “not detected”. See CBD and drug tests |
| Want the wider plant profile without THC | Broad spectrum |
| Want no taste, or CBD only | Isolate |
| Want an evening routine | Broad spectrum with calming terpenes. See best CBD oil for sleep |
| Want daytime support for stress | Broad spectrum, perhaps with adaptogens. See best CBD oil for anxiety |
| Are new to CBD | Broad spectrum at a low strength. See CBD dosage |
Whichever type you choose, the amount of CBD you take matters more than the spectrum. The FSA’s 10mg a day figure is precautionary advice rather than a legal limit, set while longer-term safety research continues. At Evopure we think it is a very cautious figure, and many adults use more. If you go above it, increase slowly, and check with your GP or pharmacist first if you take any medication.
How to check what you’re really buying
Labels aren’t always accurate. Independent testing of CBD products sold in the UK has found many don’t contain the amount of CBD stated, and some labelled THC-free contain THC. Before you buy:
- Read the lab report (certificate of analysis). It should be from an independent lab, match the batch number on your bottle, and show THC as “ND” (not detected) for broad spectrum and isolate.
- Check the cannabinoid profile. A broad spectrum product should show other cannabinoids such as CBG or CBN, not just CBD.
- Look for the FSA public list. The product should be linked to an application on it.
- Check the strength in mg per bottle and per drop, not just the percentage.
See how to read CBD lab reports and our own batch lab reports.
Types of CBD products
The spectrum describes what is in the extract. The product type describes how you take it.
| Product | How you take it | Usually felt | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oil (drops) | Under the tongue for about 60 seconds | 15 to 45 minutes | Flexible dosing, the most popular choice |
| Capsules | Swallowed like a vitamin | 1 to 2 hours | Exact dose, no taste |
| Balms and creams | Massaged into the skin | Locally | Targeted massage after exercise |
| Gummies and drinks | Eaten or drunk | 1 to 2 hours | Convenience, often made with isolate |
Compare formats in CBD capsules vs oil and how to use CBD balm.
For capsules, see best CBD capsules UK.
Ready to buy? Use our checklist for choosing the best CBD oil in the UK.
FAQs
What is the difference between full spectrum and broad spectrum CBD?
Both contain CBD plus other hemp compounds such as minor cannabinoids and terpenes. Full spectrum also contains THC; broad spectrum has had the THC removed.
Is full spectrum or broad spectrum better?
There are no good head-to-head trials. Full spectrum includes THC, which is controlled in the UK and can show up in drug tests, so most UK buyers choose broad spectrum.
Is broad spectrum better than isolate?
Broad spectrum keeps other cannabinoids and terpenes, which many people prefer because of the entourage effect. Isolate is pure CBD with no taste. The evidence that one works better is limited.
Is full spectrum CBD legal in the UK?
Only if it meets the Home Office’s exempt product rules, including no more than 1mg of THC in the whole container. The often-quoted 0.2% THC limit is a myth for finished products.
Does broad spectrum CBD contain THC?
It shouldn’t contain detectable THC. Check the batch lab report shows THC as not detected. All Evopure products are broad spectrum with 0% THC.
Will full spectrum CBD show up on a drug test?
It can, because it contains THC, which can build up with regular use. If you are tested, choose broad spectrum or isolate with a lab report showing no THC.
Which type of CBD is best for sleep or anxiety?
Most people in the UK choose broad spectrum, often with calming terpenes or botanicals added. The dose and taking it consistently matter more than the spectrum.
Are Evolabs oils broad spectrum?
Yes. All Evopure CBD products, including the Evolabs flavoured oils, are broad spectrum with 0% THC.
Sources
- Home Office. Drug licensing factsheet: cannabis, CBD and other cannabinoids.
- Food Standards Agency. Cannabidiol (CBD) guidance for businesses.
- Russo EB (2011). Taming THC: potential cannabis synergy and phytocannabinoid-terpenoid entourage effects. British Journal of Pharmacology.
- Pamplona FA et al (2018). Potential clinical benefits of CBD-rich cannabis extracts over purified CBD in treatment-resistant epilepsy: observational data meta-analysis. Frontiers in Neurology.
This guide is general information, not legal or medical advice. Evopure makes broad spectrum CBD products.
