Peels is a brand founded by former NFL player Chris Hetherington that makes CBD out of orange peels instead of hemp. The company offers CBD oil, gummies, and drinks. I tried its CBD oil, which has a pleasant flavor.
Summary
Peels is an innovative option if you’re looking for hemp-free, THC-free CBD. The CBD oil I tested had a pleasant citrus taste but I did have to take large doses to feel anything so it’s not the best option for seasoned CBD users.
Pros:
- Made from orange peels rather than hemp/cannabis
- Completely free of all traces of THC
- Comprehensive third-party testing
Cons:
- Pure CBD is less effective than whole-plant formulas
- Only one CBD oil strength option
Table of Contents
Peels Overview
Founded by ex-NFL player Chris Hetherington in 2019, Peels stands out for making CBD products from orange peels rather than hemp. This makes it a great option for people who want to completely avoid cannabis and THC.
The company uses a unique process called Cyclic Terpene Assembly (CTA) to turn terpenes found in orange peel into cannabidiol (CBD). The terpenes are combined with the natural compound olivetol under heat and pressure to create 99.5%+ pure CBD.
Another advantage of using orange peels is sustainability. Growing hemp requires significant amounts of water and other resources, whereas orange peels are typically discarded as waste.
CBD Terminology
- Hemp: cannabis variety with high CBD and low THC levels (no more than 0.3%).
- Terpenes: aromatic plant compounds with various beneficial properties (1).
- Minor cannabinoids: CBN, CBG, CBC, and other beneficial cannabinoids found in smaller amounts in hemp. They may work in synergy with CBD.
- Full-spectrum: whole-plant hemp extract containing multiple cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. This form of CBD is about four times more potent than pure CBD (2).
- Broad-spectrum: whole-plant hemp extract similar to full-spectrum CBD, but with THC removed (may contain trace amounts).
- CBD isolate: pure CBD without any other hemp compounds.
Peels CBD Product Lineup
Peels offers THC-free CBD oils, gummies, and a drink.
CBD Oil
| CBD Potency | 33 mg/ml |
| Volume | 30 ml |
| Total CBD | 1000 mg |
| Cost per mg CBD | $0.10 |
| Type | Isolate |
| Flavor | Citrus |
| Third-Party Test | View report |
Peels’ CBD oil contains 1000 mg of pure CBD derived from orange peels, giving it a medium-level strength of 33 mg/ml. It’s dissolved in coconut MCT oil and flavored with a mild, natural citrus flavor.
I’d like to see more strength options, such as 100 mg/ml and higher.
My experience: The citrus flavor is nice. I took two full droppers (66 mg CBD). The effects were fairly mild because I’m a seasoned CBD user but I did notice some subtle relaxation.
Night CBD Oil
| CBD Potency | 33 mg/ml |
| Volume | 30 ml ml |
| Total CBD | 1000 mg |
| Cost per mg CBD | $0.11 |
| Type | Isolate |
| Flavor | Citrus |
| Third-Party Test | View report |
The night oil is the same as the regular one except for one thing: the addition of melatonin. I would’ve liked to see more active ingredients that support sleep, like chamomile.
CBD Gummies
| CBD Potency | 20 mg |
| Gummy Count | 30 |
| Total CBD | 600 mg |
| Cost per mg CBD | $0.07 |
| Type | Isolate |
| Flavor | Citrus |
| Third-Party Test | View report |
Hemp-free, THC-free gummies made from vegan, organic ingredients like pectin.
CBD Immunity Shot
| CBD Potency | 20 mg |
| Bottle Count | 12 |
| Total CBD | 240 mg |
| Cost per mg CBD | $0.30 |
| Type | Isolate |
| Third-Party Test | View report |
This orange creamsicle-flavored CBD beverage contains Wellmune, a patented immune-boosting beta-glucan compound, as well as vitamins and zinc to strengthen immunity (3). I’m a fan of the innovative formula.
Price
The easiest way to compare the value of CBD products is to divide the total cost by the amount of CBD. For example, if you have a 1500 mg CBD oil that costs $100, its price per milligram (mg) of CBD would be 100/1500 = $0.07.
For Peels, the prices are:
- $0.10-0.11 per mg for CBD oil
- $0.07 per mg for gummies
- $0.30 per mg for drinks
These prices are considered average. But that’s to be expected because making CBD from orange peels is more costly than extracting it from cannabis. So you’re still getting fairly good value.
Hemp Source and Extraction Process
Instead of using hemp, Peels makes CBD from the terpenes found in orange peels. The resulting pure crystalline CBD is identical to the CBD you’d find in cannabis.
There are several advantages to this. For one, it’s a good option for people who have a negative view of cannabis. It’s also completely free of THC, whereas hemp-derived products can contain trace amounts even if the THC is removed to levels undetectable by tests.
Third-Party Testing
Peels sends its products for third-party testing at various labs, including Anresco Laboratories and Ethos Analytics. They’re tested for potency, pesticides, heavy metals, and residual solvents.
Third-Party Test Results
The third-party test results show that Peels’ CBD oil is free of contaminants and THC. It contains 38.9 mg of CBD per gram, which is equivalent to about 35.8 mg/ml.
That’s 8.5% higher than the label (33 mg/ml or 1000 mg in total), which is accurate since it’s less than a 10% difference.
Shipping & Returns
Peels offers free shipping throughout the U.S. It has a standard 30-day return policy for unopened items.
Customer Service & Reputation
Peels is a relatively new company so it doesn’t have the strong reputation of established CBD brands. However, the few customer reviews of its CBD tincture are positive.
I also had the chance to talk with the company’s founder and he answered my questions well and explained what’s unique about the brand and its mission.
My Verdict: Good Option for People Who Avoid Cannabis
Peels fills a specific niche in the CBD market: CBD products for people who dislike hemp and cannabis. It’s also a good option for those who want to be 100% certain they avoid THC.
Additionally, the company ticks the right boxes in terms of its reasonable pricing and detailed, up-to-date third-party testing.
But I don’t recommend it for people who are okay with hemp since whole-plant (broad & full-spectrum) products are more effective than those containing pure CBD thanks to the entourage effect.
I’d also like to see more CBD oil strengths added. A potency of 33 mg/ml may not be enough for many people, especially when it’s pure CBD. For example, a CBD tincture with 100 mg/ml or 3000 mg in total would be a good addition.
Gleb is a freelance writer from Vancouver, Canada specializing in CBD and cannabis. He’s read thousands of studies on CBD and other supplements, helping him translate complex science into plain language. Gleb has tried and reviewed dozens of CBD brands and products, written third-party testing reports, and knows the CBD industry inside and out. When not writing, he likes to kickbox, travel, and tell everyone how awesome intermittent fasting is.
