Hardly any topic is as hotly debated right now as the use of CBD in skincare. The cosmetics industry has recognized this trend and is churning out oils and creams. But is the use of CBD oil for skin complaints worthwhile? What benefits does this ingredient derived from hemp offer?
In this article, we delve into whether purchasing CBD cosmetics is worth it, the scientific basis of the care, what complaints CBD products can be used for, and why you should take care of your skin at all. Learn how cannabidiol affects the body, what side effects to expect, and what makes a good CBD product. Feel free to join the discussion in the comments at the end. Enjoy!
What is CBD and what does the term stand for?
CBD is the abbreviation for Cannabidiol, a cannabinoid from the cannabis plant. CBD is extracted from specially grown industrial hemp. This type of plant naturally contains a high amount of CBD and only very small amounts of the psychoactive cannabinoid THC.
Several studies have shown that cannabidiol has a number of properties that can have a positive effect on the human body and problematic skin. Therefore, it has been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years. However, in the last decade, it has also increasingly become the subject of modern, scientific research. Studies are trying to understand its use and application in healthcare and skin diseases.
Unfortunately, there are often confusions (sometimes due to questionable marketing strategies). Many consumers use the term hemp oil and CBD oil synonymously. In fact, hemp oil is pure edible oil, which also contains valuable ingredients such as omega-3 and -6 fatty acids, but does not contain CBD as a component. In contrast, the oil in CBD oil only serves as a carrier substance for the active ingredient CBD. Full-spectrum oils are particularly valuable with the other contained cannabinoids.
Why should I take care of my skin?
The skin is an organ. And not just any organ - it is the largest organ of the human body and protects us from germs and bacteria. It forms a large part of our immune system and also acts as an alarm system for us. Diseases and stresses are externally noticeable on the skin, and stressors, for example, can contribute to the outbreak of eczema or psoriasis. Healthy skin reflects a healthy body and helps the body maintain its daily functions.
How can CBD help the skin?
Although CBD has shown a number of other modes of action, most studies have focused on understanding its anti-inflammatory, calming, and pain-relieving effects. These are also properties that offer benefits to the skin. The use of CBD oil in skincare could therefore be particularly suitable for:
Acne
The sometimes painful pustules on the face are probably the nightmare of many teenagers - even though acne can still occur in adulthood. But acne is not just a visual problem - in severe cases and improper treatment, scar tissue can form. The cause of acne is excessive sebum production. Sebum clogs the skin glands and pimples and inflammations form.
According to a study, CBD demonstrably reduces inflammation [1] and ensures a clearer complexion. But CBD can also help preventively with impure skin. A study from 2014 suggests that cannabidiol can reduce the production of sebum [2].
Anti-Aging
The skin is often referred to as the "mirror of the soul" and hardly anyone would like to look older or have more wrinkles than necessary. In the anti-aging area, attempts are made to delay skin aging and keep the skin vital. Our skin ages because oxygen molecules (free radicals) attack it daily and cause oxidative stress. This process of skin aging cannot be stopped, but it can at least be slowed down. A study in 2011 showed that CBD can counteract these molecules and thus reduce aging and improve skin tone [3]. The cannabinoid CBD could therefore be a good choice as an anti-aging agent for the prevention and fight against wrinkles and help the skin to a better radiance and more elasticity.
Sensitive Skin
Some people are certainly more prone to dry skin than others. They react particularly sensitively to environmental influences and especially stress. CBD has been proven to reduce stress [4] and thus counteract a main cause of attacked skin. CBD can also play an important role in the healing process of irritated skin and strengthen the skin barrier and minimize redness.
Since the skin barrier is more permeable with dry skin, people with this skin type are also often more susceptible to skin diseases, especially in colder months. So you can also take advantage of the balancing effects of CBD here. So CBD oil can supply skin and hair with valuable ingredients.
Pain
When it comes to CBD, most medical studies are interested in investigating whether CBD can contribute to pain relief. If we consider the results of this study [5], cannabidiol, when applied to the skin, could indeed contribute to pain relief. With cream formulations that are transdermal, the CBD is particularly deeply absorbed by the skin.
Other Skin Diseases
There are always indications that CBD oil can also help with other diseases of the skin. These include skin diseases such as:
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Eczema
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Psoriasis
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Rosacea
The use of the oil is therefore by no means limited to the cosmetics industry.
Especially with psoriasis and eczema, ointments with other beneficial ingredients such as colloidal oatmeal are suitable to soothe the skin and reduce redness.
Why does CBD work in the body?
Cannabidiol supports the endocannabinoid system. Every mammal produces its own cannabinoids, which dock onto a specific receptor type and control a variety of body functions. In this respect, CBD works more indirectly on the body by working with the body's own endocannabinoids. In this way, the development of different positive properties is potentially possible.
What side effects does CBD cause?
CBD is a very tolerable active ingredient and therefore has only a few side effects. The balance is even better when the CBD oil is only used for application on the skin. Allergic reactions have been observed very rarely. In general, it is advisable with any new agent that is to be applied to the skin to first test the product on a small, not immediately visible skin area, especially with problematic skin.
From experience, we know that products that contain flavorings, fragrances, or preservatives in addition to the actual active ingredient often cause more problems than pure CBD oil. With problematic skin, unnecessary additives in the cosmetics used should therefore be largely avoided in order not to cause a worsening of skin problems or skin diseases.
How do I use CBD oil and creams?
The application of CBD oil and creams is very simple. The product is applied directly to the affected skin area and should be left on for about 20 minutes. It is important to ensure that the skin is clean and dry before application to give bacteria and germs no chance. After the exposure time, you can continue with your usual care program.
Whether oil or cream is better for you depends on the application. Experience shows that the oil from the hemp plant is better suited for the treatment of diseases, pain, and inflammation. This is because cream often contains a variety of other ingredients. The oil focuses on the essentials and its properties are generally suitable for various skin types.
For pure care, however, you can also confidently use CBD-containing cream. This should be used as generously and regularly as possible and can help bring the skin back into its natural balance. But only continuous treatment will ultimately deliver visible effects and an improved complexion.
What is the right dosage for my skin?
The right dosage is the one that helps you personally the best. However, every body reacts very differently to the extract of the hemp plant. The effect is influenced by:
- The skin type
- The purpose of use
- The immune system
- The skin area
The package insert usually always contains a recommendation. You can orientate yourself on this at the beginning. If you do not notice any effect, you can increase the dose. If your skin shows an unwanted reaction, then reduce the amount and talk to a dermatologist about the use of CBD. It is advisable to bring a little more patience, as it can sometimes take a while for an effect to show.
What speaks for a good CBD product?
Only high-quality products are promising in the long run, regardless of whether it is about slowing down skin aging or general skin care. However, good quality does not mean that your CBD oil has to be expensive. A good price-performance ratio is crucial for CBD products. We tell you here what you should pay attention to before buying CBD for skin care:
Make sure to buy oils and creams that actually contain CBD. As mentioned at the beginning, hemp oil is not the same as CBD oil - CBD is extracted from the hemp plant, hemp oil on the other hand is obtained from cold-pressed hemp seeds. The other ingredients contained are also important. Good products do not contain any pollutants or solvents but instead vitamins, minerals, and trace elements.
Suitable packaging plays a bigger role than one might assume. It should protect the product from light and air and be stable. Caution is advised with transparent packaging- they usually only offer inadequate protection and can negatively affect the active ingredient CBD (and the other ingredients).
If your desired product is also certified by an independent body, the manufacturer trusts his own product, which is a good sign. It is also the only way to ensure that the oil actually contains what is stated on the packaging.
Finally, you should pay attention to the specified CBD amount. Sometimes this is given per product unit and sometimes per application amount. Basically, the unit is irrelevant as long as you are clear in the end how much CBD the chosen oil contains.
Our conclusion on CBD oil for the skin
We hope that we were able to explain in more detail in this article why the care of our largest sensory organ is so important. CBD oil has, scientifically proven, a number of positive effects for the skin. The multitude of positive experience reports on the Internet is astonishing. CBD has virtually no side effects when used externally, so there is little to speak against a trial. However, make sure to use a high-quality product and give it a try.
At this point, we would be interested in your opinion! Please leave us a comment and tell us whether CBD has helped you with your skin problems
Sources
- [1] Olah A et al., Differential effectiveness of selected non-psychotropic phytocannabinoids on human sebocyte functions implicates their introduction in dry/seborrhoeic skin and acne treatment. Exp Dermatol, 2016
- [2] Olah A et al., Cannabidiol exerts sebostatic and antiinflammatory effects on human sebocytes. 2014
- [3] Booz GW. Cannabidiol as an Emergent Therapeutic Strategy for Lessening the Impact of Inflammation on Oxidative Stress. 2011
- [4] Hill MN, et al. Endogenous cannabinoid signaling is essential for stress adaptation. 2010
- [5] Thapa D, et al. The CannabinoidsΔ8THC, CBD, and HU-308 Act via Distinct Receptors to Reduce Corneal Pain and Inflammation. 2018. doi: 10.1089