CBD in Skin Care: Does It Actually Work?

Do you prefer organic solutions when it comes to caring for your skin? If you do, you have likely come across products containing cannabidiol or CBD in their ingredient list. CBD is available in various forms and has become more popular as a relaxant, which may help induce sleep and relieve stress.

However, in recent years, different brands have developed CBD-infused products geared toward healthy skin. Additionally, products such as essential oils listed on websites like MotherhoodCommunity.com can also act as skin care products and help you with your relaxation.

Will CBD topical products work for your skin? Here, we discover how this plant-based ingredient can do wonders for your skin’s health.

CBD Skincare Products Benefits

CBD is a chemical compound that is the second most prevalent active ingredient in the Cannabis sativa plant, followed by tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). But unlike THC, which is found in high levels in marijuana and gives its users a euphoric “high,” CBD has a therapeutic effect that is not psychoactive nor addictive.

Here are the benefits that CBD skin creams may bring to each skin type:

Dry to flaky skin

CBD’s moisturizing properties may soothe dehydrated or scaly skin, which is usually caused by cold weather, low sebum production, or skin ailments such as eczema, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis.

Oily to acne-prone skin

CBD is also known for interacting with skin receptors, which studies suggest may calm skin inflammation, as in the case of acne.

Additionally, the compound may regulate sebum production and reduce bacteria infections, which may lead to acne formation.

Aging skin

Research indicates that CBD plays a role in skin homeostasis or the skin cell renewal process. The antioxidants in CBD fight off free radicals, which studies believe cause premature skin aging by causing the skin to wrinkle.

Correct Volume and Frequency of CBD Product Application

The amount of CBD you should use on your skin may depend on the type of product you use, your needs, and your skin’s reaction to the product.

Brands like ThanksNaturals typically indicate the recommended amount of CBD and frequency of application on their packaging.

Check your CBD product’s label to find out its cannabidiol content. CBD skin creams that are currently sold may range from three to eight milligrams of CBD.

The CBD in your skincare oil, cream, or lotion can be any of the following:

CBD isolate is pure CBD without other cannabinoids from the hemp plant.
Broad-spectrum CBD product does not contain THC.
Full-spectrum CBD product contains various cannabinoids, including terpenes that come from the hemp’s buds and produce their unique aroma. This CBD type also contains low levels of THC.

As full-spectrum CBD product undergoes less processing, brands recommend it for general skincare due to the “entourage effect” of various cannabinoids.

This phenomenon refers to the higher benefits you can reap from a mix of cannabinoids compared to products with just one type. But for target areas such as the face, CBD isolate may be the most effective as its pure form will prevent the clogging of your pores.

Safety of CBD Skincare Products

Although CBD is gentle enough to be used on various skin types, consulting your dermatologist is still advisable before you use any product. Research related to CBD’s effectiveness on acne, atopic dermatitis, and chronic pruritus is still insufficient and lacks randomized control trials.

Your skin doctor can advise you on how to safely try the product, depending on your current skin quality and condition. If your skin reacts to a CBD-infused product, the irritation may be likely due to another ingredient, not CBD.

Most brands combine CBD with other essential oils. Apply the product to a small area before spreading it liberally on your skin.

Steps to Take Before Trying CBD Skincare Products

Take the following steps to ensure you get the best results from your CBD product:

1. Learn more about CBD.

This article is just an introduction to building a greater awareness of CBD. But you can research more, especially if you have particular skin conditions.

2. Research your preferred product.

No over-the-counter CBD product has the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s official approval for sale. Thus, you will have to learn all you can about your supplier, their manufacturing method, and third-party or external lab testing results, which show up as a certificate of analysis (COA). Remember to also check user reviews.

3. Test a small amount of the product on your skin.

A patch test will help determine how your skin will act on the product. Apply it somewhere on your forearm and check for any reaction within a few hours. Also, some CBD topical users recommend applying it on your skin on alternate days when using it for the first time. Be sure to consult your doctor should you develop a rash.

CBD Skincare Products Side Effects

CBD generally produces no side effects, although one study states that the compound may induce melanogenesis or pigmentation on its own. Commercially sold CBD topicals typically combine CBD with other ingredients, which counteract the possibility of causing skin marks.

For instance, CBD serums can include vitamin C, which is known to help with lightening skin. This mixture may help reduce age spots and other blemishes.

References:

1. Therapeutic Potential of Cannabidiol (CBD) for Skin Health and Disorders

https://www.dovepress.com/therapeutic-potential-of-cannabidiol-cbd-for-skin-health-and-disorders-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-CCID

2. Cannabidiol (CBD): What we know and what we don’t

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/cannabidiol-cbd-what-we-know-and-what-we-dont-2018082414476

3. Assessment of the Sensory and Moisturizing Properties of Emulsions with Hemp Oil

http://acta.uni-obuda.hu/Kowalska_Wozniak_Pazdzior_79.pdf

4. Therapeutic Potential of Cannabidiol (CBD) for Skin Health and Disorders

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7736837/

5. Differential effectiveness of selected non-psychotropic phytocannabinoids on human sebocyte functions implicates their introduction in dry/seborrhoeic skin and acne treatment

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27094344/

6. Cannabidiol exerts sebostatic and antiinflammatory effects on human sebocytes

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4151231/

7. Antimicrobial and Antiviral (SARS-CoV-2) Potential of Cannabinoids and Cannabis sativa: A Comprehensive Review

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8658882/

8. Acne

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/acne/symptoms-causes/syc-20368047

9. Therapeutic Potential of Cannabidiol (CBD) for Skin Health and Disorders

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7736837/

10. A Beginner’s Introduction to Skin Stem Cells and Wound Healing

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8538579/

11. Cannabis sativa L. Bioactive Compounds and Their Protective Role in Oxidative Stress and Inflammation