How CBD oil effective in treating skin conditions?

More and more people are turning to CBD for relief for whatever is ailing them while researchers around the world continue to study how this powerful plant cannabis may improve everything from our sleeping habits to our body pains. These days, CBD or cannabidiol is literally, and figuratively, getting under our skin.

Our endocannabinoid system has receptors all over the body including just under our skin’s surface. That’s the reason why body-care topical and make-up products capable of firming, toning, and skin-beautifying, with a dose of CBD to help fight raging blemishes and skin inflammation, are exploding in the market today. 

Skincare products featuring CBD as the special ingredient started in December 2018 when Congress passed the bill legalizing the use of hemp-based CBD with less than 0.3 percent THC. Mainstream retailers like CVS and Walgreens to Neiman Marcus and Sephora went with the hype and started selling CBS creams and lotions as a result. As a matter of fact, sales of CBD skin-care items are expected to go up to 33 percent by 2025.

It’s noted that many consumers are rating these products high reviews, but as their popularity increases, do we really know exactly what it can actually do for our skin? According to Yvonne Perez Emerson, the founder of Make & Mary, a popular skin care manufacturer of CBD products, CBD has a wide array of “anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antioxidant properties” that can be used as daily vitamins for our skin. CBD is rich in fatty acids Omega 3 and Omega 6, popularly known as the ‘healing fats.’

How to Use It

CBD oil can be applied through tincture via dropper or simply rubbing it in like a salve or a cream. Most are packaged in serum and creams so you use it as you normally would layer the product from thinnest to thickest. Always remember the golden rule to apply the serum before creams. With that being said, always read packaging and ingredients or consult your medical practitioner before starting any topical care or supplement.

Skin Disorders

Trista Okel, CEO, and founder of Empower BodyCare, said that CBD infused skin care products can help because “CBD activates the TRPV1 receptor in skin cells. The TRPV1 receptor regulates pain, temperature, and inflammation. In addition, CBD suppresses TNF-alpha, which in turn reduces inflammation. Plus, CBD activates PPAR-gamma, which also helps to regulate inflammation.” Because of cannabinoids anti-bacterial and antioxidant properties, CBD products can cut swelling and reduce puffiness and even soreness. Its anti-inflammatory properties can also help people with psoriasis, a disease-causing red and scaly texture on the skin.

Skin Rejuvenation

CBD oils are packed with antioxidants like Vitamins A, C, and E which revives your skin from the damage of free radicals such as smoke, UV rays, and other environmental pollutants. As Okel explained, “antioxidants have anti-inflammatory properties. Since inflammation hinders the skin’s rejuvenation process, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory ingredients from CBD allow the skin to repair itself and fix the damage.”

Pimples or Acne

The anti-inflammatory properties of CBD can be extremely helpful in clearing skin blemishes – or in most beneficial cases, potentially clearing it. This is due to the calming effect of CBD that heals the breakouts and redness associated with acne.

Balanced Skin

According to Okel, CBD – with its receptors balancing the skin - is likely to bring skin’s homeostasis which results in being oily or being dry that normalizes more with daily CBD applications. But before rushing out to buy CBD oil, creams, lotions, and all sorts, keep these three tips in mind according to Okel.

1.) It’s highly important to look for products that actually have a full spectrum of CBD oil. Full-spectrum items work best with your endocannabinoid system as they are extracted from the plant containing various cannabinoid profiles which preserves all the therapeutic compounds, terpenes, and flavonoids found naturally in hemp.

2.) Always make sure to try and test something that does or does not work for you. Remember that even though CBD is a natural plant-based product, consumers can still have different reactions to it based on their hormones, immune system, and genetics.

3.) Okel also suggested that consumers should make sure that the products have a QR (Quick Response) barcode. QR barcode leads to a specific batch of products that the company tests per batch for solvents and pesticides, the potency of the CBD, microbiological activity, heavy metals, and homogeneity. This is detailed in the Certificates of Analysis associated with the product.

Summary of CBD Benefits

Hydration – the moisturizing properties of CBD helps fight dryness and skin dehydration

Decrease Hormonal Conditions – CBD, as a powerful adaptogen, works to decrease the effects of hormonal compounds such as kinase, nitric, and cortisol which are released into the body during stress.

Soothe Eczema, Psoriasis and Dermatitis and Calms Rosacea – According to Ava Shamban, MD, the board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Five in LA and co-host of The GIST, CBD helps combat inflammation and irritation caused by these chronic skin conditions.

Neutralize Free Radicals – CBD works to prevent damage and weakening of the skin caused by free radicals’ damage by neutralizing it.

Regulate Oil Production – CBD helps reduce excess sebum by regulating the hormones and oil production in our body.

Reduce Breakouts and treat inflammatory acne – CBD can minimize redness, pain and swelling of the breakouts or acne through its anti-inflammatory properties.

CBD has officially entered the world of beauty and skincare from only being recreational and medicinal. It’s something that’s been in everyone’s closet lately, from celebrities to regular consumers. But it’s also important to distinguish a high-quality CBD from poor quality CBD by looking at its color and texture. A high-quality CBD usually comes in an amber-gold or pale-yellow (for distillate) and dark brown (for whole hemp extract), with clear consistency. Just make sure to buy from reliable skincare companies and CBD dispensaries with lab tested CBD products to give you that CBD glow you need - or want - for your skin.