The way we look at skin care is changing, and the skincare industry is booming. If it’s been a while since you’ve browsed the shelves, you may notice something surprising—CBD skincare products such as lotions, oils, tinctures, and even lip balms.
Yes, the same CBD that’s derived from hemp and has been known to aid in sleep issues, joint inflammation, and even anxiety. Can it really help your skin as well?
Let’s dig in to how CBD works and how you can use it as part of your skincare regimen.
What is CBD?
CBD (cannabidiol) is a chemical that exists naturally in hemp and marijuana plants. Hemp and marijuana are very closely related, but hemp is a federally legal plant that contains no more than 0.3% THC, the compound in marijuana that produces a ‘high’.
CBD is also what’s known as a cannabinoid, and there are over 100 different cannabinoids found in hemp and marijuana, including THC. CBD is often isolated from other cannabinoids and can be readily found at online and brick-and-mortar shops.
This compound is often available in oil form but may also be found in tinctures, and even beauty products like soap, lotion, and lip balms, and early research has indicated that CBD can be used for:
- Anxiety and depression
- Sleep issues
- Joint aches/muscle pain
- Epilepsy
- Inflammation
CBD for acne and inflammation
Acne plagues millions of Americans, and for some people, acne troubles persist well after adolescence. Acne takes several different forms, but essentially, acne is a form of skin inflammation.
Research on CBD has indicated that CBD binds with the endocannabinoid receptors in the body, and the endocannabinoid system impacts the way we sleep, experience pain, and how the body responds to inflammation. The American Academy of Dermatology also says research shows promise in this area.
When CBD is applied topically, it can help reduce the inflammation acne causes on the surface of the skin. This can lead to less redness and less pain related to under-the-skin cysts.
CBD for aging skin
There is also a possibility (though research is ongoing) that CBD, when applied directly to the skin, can help reduce the signs of aging by lessening wrinkles, improving tone, and reducing redness.
The way experts believe this works is that CBD fights the free radicals in your body that cause various forms of stress, and this stress leads to aging and inflammation.
How much CBD do I use for skincare?
That’s a simple question with a complex answer. When CBD is used as a topical oil to treat joint aches and muscle pain, a higher potency is desired. If you’re treating some of the surface issues related to skincare, however, you can likely use a lower concentration, and you’ll probably notice that many CBD-based skincare products, like lotions and lip balms, have a lower potency than oil meant for consumption.
In larger doses, CBD can also cause drowsiness. For that reason we recommend that you try the low and slow approach. Skin treatment may require a small amount of product each day to see results, and it may take a few weeks to see noticeable change.
Are there side effects to using CBD?
Health experts say that CBD is well tolerated by most people. Occasionally, however, certain people may experience stomach upset, though this is unusual for topical applications.
When applied topically, like with skincare products, using too much can possibly cause drowsiness. CBD products designed specifically for skincare (like lotions) don’t have as high a concentration as oil designed to treat aches and pains.
Research indicates that CBD may possibly impact the liver long-term, but this is only the early stages of research.
Finding the best CBD products
Look for CBD products that have been verified by a third-party lab. Not all products are the same, and the FDA does not currently regulate CBD products. Choose organic if possible. Check out our selection of CBD oils and products for skincare.
