Most people have at least a passing knowledge of CBD. They’ve read about it in their favorite publication, or seen it on a TV show. They may even know a little bit about how people use it for pain or anxiety. There’s a lot of hype out there, but what you don’t see a whole lot of is information about how CBD can benefit the skin. And yet the anti-inflammatory properties of CBD make the skin one of the biggest beneficiaries!
In this article we’ll take a look at 7 benefits of CBD skin products. Not all of these may apply to you personally, but we’ll guarantee at least one of them will. First, let’s talk a bit about what CBD is, and what it does for the body.
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What Is CBD and How Does It Work?
CBD is the shorthand term for cannabidiol. It is one of many cannabinoids, or extracts of the cannabis plant. Possibly the most famous cannabinoid is THC, found in marijuana. But while CBD is related to THC, and has some similar benefits, it’s effects are quite different.
Unlike THC, CBD is non-psychoactive. It does not create a “high” effect. It is also completely legal on a national level, and is legal in most states, though there are a few exceptions.
CBD offers a plethora of potential benefits, the most sought after of which are its anti-inflammatory and analgesic (pain relieving) effects. Both of these play into a lot of our skin benefits.
Benefit #1: Smoothing Out Fine Lines and Wrinkles
CBD has shown potential for balancing the skin and aiding in oil production. After all, the endocannabinoid system is all about establishing balance in the body. And increased oil production helps smooth out the appearance of fine lines, and slows the production of new ones.
Benefit #2: Preventing Acne
Due to CBDs anti-inflammatory properties, it shows promise in reducing the appearance of acne. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation also found that CBD can be quite effective at preventing sebaceous glands from overproducing sebum, in addition to known anti-inflammatory effects.
Benefit #3: Calming Inflammatory Skin Conditions
Eczema is a condition that causes dry, flaky, itchy and scaly skin. CBD oil packs a double punch, hydrating the skin itself, but also reducing inflammation. The analgesic effects of CBD can also help reduce the pain of eczema.
Psoriasis has similar symptoms, but is caused by an underlying auto-immune disease. CBD may also soothe psoriasis by reducing inflammation.
Benefit #4: Dry Skin Relief
CBD oil contains essential fatty acids along with other hemp compounds that can help nourish and moisturize the skin. Again, anti-inflammatory properties can also help reduce redness as well.
The Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that CBD oil is very effective at relieving itchy skin. They released a study that saw 81% of their patients using a CBD cream experienced relief from chronic itching.
Benefit #5 Skin Infections and Healing Lesions
Studies have shown that CBD is an effective antibacterial against Gram-Positive bacteria. They concluded that CBD may be used as a helper along with other antimicrobial actives to fight antibiotic resistant bacteria.
Use of CBD for wound healing also has an optimistic outlook, although more robust studies will be needed to conclusively prove its efficacy.
#6: Pain Relief
One of the most popular uses for CBD is pain relief. While it is often taken internally, topical balms or ointments may be used as well. It can be applied to help with arthritis, neuropathic pain, or painful skin irritations.
A bonus benefit of CBD is its excellent safety profile. Especially in the case of external application, CBD has no serious side effects and most people tolerate it well.
Not All CBD Products Are Created Equal
It’s important to understand that CBD is an unregulated market, and therefore not everything that says “CBD” on it actually has CBD in it. Sad but true, many products on the market are nothing more than snake oil peddled by slick catch phrases. It’s important to do your research when purchasing a topical CBD. Not only could a bad product not contain CBD, it may also have a bunch of additives that are bad for the skin…not to mention possible contaminants.
There are three things you should always do before purchasing a CBD cream.
- Research reputable companies. Take a look at third party websites to see which brands are hot. Then follow up to find out more about them. Look for mentions in reputable publications, awards, and certifications.
- Check that the company you’re buying from offers third party lab testing. This is the only way to ensure that your product is pure and potent. These test results should be prominently displayed on their web page, ideally on the product page itself
- Read the reviews. Look at both the reviews on the company website (the more that there are, the better, it means people are buying the product), and also check out third party review sites.
Once you’ve checked off these boxes, the most important thing will be finding the product that is best suited to your own needs. Only you know what’s most important to you in a skincare line. Is the product cruelty free? Is it made from only a few natural ingredients? Are those ingredients organic?
Some creams may also offer other beneficial ingredients. What you want these ingredients to be will depend on what you’re using the product for. If you’re using it for pain relief, you may want it to contain other pain-relieving or anti-inflammatory things like arnica, menthol, or capascain.
If you are planning to use it for wrinkles, you may want it to contain more moisturizing ingredients, or a compound like retinol.
Those who want to soothe their skin may want to use a cream that is formulated with more skin-protective and anti-inflammatory compounds. It’s entirely up to you. As long as you’re purchasing from a reputable source, you can personalize your choice to your own needs.
