While research around CBD’s therapeutic effects for everything from anxiety and epilepsy to insomnia and PTSD remains in its infancy, early results have been exciting. The same can be said for its potential for skin care.
CBD Skin Care Benefits
- Reduces Acne Inflammation
- Regulates Oil Production
- Moisturizes Dry Skin
- Antioxidant Aging Properties
You may previously have heard about CBD (cannabidiol)--one of the many naturally occurring chemical compounds found in the hemp or cannabis sativa plant. In recent years, following the 2018 Farm Bill, CBD has emerged as a darling in the health and beauty industries, and by some estimates, the CBD market is expected to rise to $80 billion by 2025.
Of particular note is CBD’s potential when it comes to topical skincare. Unlike the better-known cannabis compound THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), CBD isn’t known to have psychoactive, or mind-altering, effects. This lack of psychoactive effect means that CBD has much greater potential for a wide variety of therapeutic uses.
CBD Skin Care Research
It’s not unusual to find CBD touted as a key ingredient in many topical skincare products. In fact, you can find CBD as a key ingredient in serums, creams, masks, and body or face oils, among many other products.
Current research on cannabis for skin health has largely focused on CBD and THC, but other cannabinoids that might be effective include Cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), Cannabidivarin (CBDV), Cannabichromene (CBC) and Cannabigerol (CBG).
Some common skin issues, including hyperpigmentation and acne, are caused by free radical damage to the epidermis layer of the skin or inflammation, which is often caused by disruption of the endocannabinoid system. Because CBD directly interacts with the endocannabinoid system, it can help with balancing many key skin functions, including oil production.
It’s also a powerful antioxidant with a natural anti inflammatory property. While research into CBD’s full effects remains in early stages, it shows great promise when it comes to supporting healthy skin.
Additionally, CBD doesn’t typically have serious side effects, so it is generally considered safe when it comes to putting it topically on the skin. It’s also important to note that the CBD in a topical product does not make its way into your bloodstream.
How to Use a CBD Skin Care Product
Most topical CBD skin products are made with full-spectrum CBD, broad-spectrum CBD or CBD isolate, and when it comes to hemp oil vs CBD oil, CBD is the superior active ingredient, though hemp oil still offers moisturizing and anti-inflammatory benefits as well.
As with any topical product, be sure first to test a small amount of any CBD skincare product on a small patch of skin in order to make sure it doesn’t cause irritation. Though most people generally tolerate CBD products well, it’s smart to know how your skin responds before using a topical CBD product on a large area of skin. If you develop any kind of rash, skin irritation, or itching, please contact your dermatologist.
What Are the Benefits of CBD Skin Care?
There are many reasons you might consider adding a topical CBD product to your daily skin care regimen, including:
1. Reduces Acne Inflammation
Many people experience acne–and it’s not just teenagers; many people suffer from it well into adulthood. CBD has powerful anti-inflammatory effects, which means it may be able to reduce the swelling, pain, and redness often associated with acne breakouts and other skin irritations, including eczema and psoriasis.
When applied directly to the skin, CBD interacts with the CB1 and CB2 receptors within the endocannabinoid system to reduce the body’s overall inflammatory response. This happens by decreasing interleukins, which are chemicals that essentially function as the immune system’s fire alarm. Using CBD decreases this response in your body, offering relief from itching, swelling, pain, and redness.
More great news for acne sufferers: a 2019 study suggests that CBD has great promise when it comes to treating the appearance of acne scars. The American Academy of Dermatology has also acknowledged CBD’s potential to provide treatment not only for acne, but also for psoriasis and eczema.
2. Regulates Oil Production
If your oil glands overproduce, it’s common for the excess oil to clog pores and lead to acne. One study from 2014 has shown that CBD has the power to help regulate oil production by exerting an anti-inflammatory effect on sebocytes–the skin cells that produce sebum, a waxy oil.
Sebum is great for protecting the skin when it’s produced at an appropriate level, but too much isn’t a good thing. Because an overproduction of skin oil has long been recognized as a key cause of acne vulgaris, CBD’s ability to keep oil in balance has great potential to help treat and prevent acne breakouts.
In fact, research presented at a recent meeting of the American Society for Microbiology showed that topical CBD may help kill a wide range of gram-positive bacteria that are recognized as one of the primary causes of acne.
CBD’s ability to regulate oil production may also contribute to its ability to keep skin from becoming too dry.
3. Moisturizes Dry Skin
Some research suggests that CBD may have intense hydrating capability when it comes to dry, irritated skin. In fact, a small 2019 study published in Clinical Therapeutics found that CBD ointment improved skin hydration in patients with psoriasis, eczema, or scarring by moisturizing and preventing water loss. CBD ointment also increased skin elasticity and improved overall quality of life for those who participated in the study. These results are attributed, at least in part, to the anti-inflammatory effects of CBD, according to the researchers.
There is great potential for CBD ointments, creams, and other treatments to offer an alternative to topical steroid creams, which are often prescribed for conditions like psoriasis, eczema, and atopic dermatitis. In fact, as an atopic dermatitis treatment, a CBD product featured in one study reduced pruritis, along with improving dryness, excoriation, scaling, and erythema in 70 percent of study participants. In another study, half of participants were able to reduce their topical steroid use by 60 percent when using a CBD skincare product. This is key for patients since topical steroid creams often carry undesirable side effects.
Antioxidant Aging Properties
One of the key causes of visible skin aging is inflammation caused by oxidative stress. Basically, various stressors in our environment, including toxins, pollutants, and UV rays, break down our cells’ ability to repair themselves. This kind of stress often is caused by free radicals–unstable atoms that attack the skin’s integrity on a cellular level.
Because of its anti-inflammatory qualities, CBD may go a long way toward preventing the visible signs of aging. In fact, using CBD products may keep your skin looking soft, smooth, and supple for longer, especially when you combine your CBD skincare products with other healthy skincare habits. CBD also seems to lessen the effects of stress hormones on the skin.
The antioxidants in CBD are a key way that the topical use of CBD products reduces visible signs of aging. By counteracting free-radical damage and reducing inflammation, CBD anti-aging skin products can diminish the visibility of issues like fine lines, wrinkles, sagging skin, general skin dullness, and even ruddy skin tone.
Top CBD Skin Care Products
If you’re interested in adding CBD skincare products to your health and beauty regimen, you can’t go wrong with any of our favorite products listed below.
CBD products remain unregulated, so it’s important to use caution when making any CBD product purchase. When you purchase your CBD skin care through Farmer & Chemist, you can rest assured that you’re getting a high-quality product you can trust. We are devoted to elevating health and wellness by providing the best CBD products on the market. And as one of our customers, you’ll gain access to our expert pharmacists and pharmacy technicians who can help you choose the products that are right for you.
1. Handy Dandy Lotion
Handy Dandy is Farmer & Chemist’s pain relief CBD cream. It’s rich in phytocannabinoids, and works to protect your joints from pain while hydrating dry skin. This body lotion is moisturizing, soothing, and pain-relieving all at the same time.
2. Lip Service Lip Balm
This moisturizing lip balm quickly soothes and relieves dry, chapped lips. Featuring beeswax,
coconut oil, almond oil, mint oil, and CBD isolate, this lip balm is rich and hydrating, leaving your lips feeling smooth and conditioned.
3. Problem Salved
Problem Salved is an anti-inflammatory, CBD-infused salve that’s perfect for skin problems and muscle strain alike. The salve itself soothes dry, irritated skin, while the CBD eases pain and inflammation.
4. It’s the Balm
This broad spectrum CBD balm soothes pain so you can be calm, present, and focused without worrying about aching muscles or joints. Our broad spectrum balms are made with beeswax and MCT (derived from coconut) oil, plus essential oils with a potency of 1000 mg of CBD per ounce. This balm is moisturizing and soothing, and provides tremendous pain relief when applied topically.
CBD is the Perfect Addition to Your Skin Care Regimen
Early results show that CBD could emerge as a power player when it comes to effective skincare ingredients. While the research for long-term benefits is still in its early stages,, CBD shows a great deal of early potential in treating many common skin issues, including acne, psoriasis, and eczema.
As always, you should consult with a doctor, especially a dermatologist, if you’re thinking of trying a CBD product as part of your skincare regimen. If you still have questions, feel free to reach out to the pharmacists at Farmer & Chemist–our team is well prepared to help you choose the best CBD skincare products for your unique dermatology needs.