Woman with smooth skin.

Key Takeaways

  • CBD is a non-psychoactive, legal compound extracted from the cannabis plant used for health and wellness purposes, including several potential benefits for the skin.

  • CBD-based balms, ointments, salves, skincare products, and personal hygiene products can be used topically.

  • CBD can relieve symptoms of skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and pruritus, helps get rid of fungal skin infections, and naturally soothes inflamed, acne-prone skin.

  • CBD may help reduce discomfort and other effects of skin cancer treatment and can alleviate skin rashes caused by digestive disorders.

  • CBD diminishes fine lines and wrinkles, effectively combats hypopigmentation, and helps deeply moisturize the skin.

  • When buying CBD skincare products, ensure to read the labels, check for potency, third-party testing, and dermatologists’ recommendations.

The new and all-natural ingredient that has made its way to the skincare industry is Cannabidiol (CBD).

You can find many skincare products containing CBD with a list of several benefits. But are these claims true? 

Skincare companies have recently been obsessed with this new ingredient, claiming it as one of the most promising and beneficial ingredients you didn’t even know your skin needed.  

You read all these claims by the skincare companies, but the question arises, is it worth the hype?

We are here to clear all your doubts and explain the potential benefits of this magical ingredient. 

Not only that, each benefit has scientific proof to help you understand how CBD can help your skin.

A Quick Intro to CBD

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the 120 phytocannabinoids extracted from Cannabis or Hemp plants.

It is a non-psychoactive component used for health and wellness purposes. CBD makes up 40% of the plant’s extracts and comes in three different forms; full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolates. 

CBD with less than 0.3% THC is legal in all states of the US under federal law.

However, on the state level, the rules regarding CBD might differ. It is one of the most sought-after ingredients in the wellness market due to its potential benefits. 

There are several ways to consume CBD orally and to apply it topically.

It comes in gummies, capsules, oils, vapes, and snacks for edible intake.

For topical use, you can find CBD in the form of balms, ointments, skincare products, and personal hygiene products. 

CBD has several potential benefits for the skin. It may help relieve symptoms of several skin problems.

Here is what you can expect: 

1. Helps Relieve Symptoms of Eczema, Psoriasis, and Pruritus 

Eczema, Psoriasis, and Pruritus are skin diseases that cause severe itch. Most medicines for these skin problems have significant side effects or contain steroids.

On the other hand, CBD has anti-inflammatory properties that help relieve the itching and burning in these skin diseases. 

A 2019 study shows how CBD can be beneficial for treating severe itch and dryness on the skin caused by eczema, psoriasis, and pruritus.

It may help prevent the discomfort and further progression of these diseases. 

The study suggests that CBD and its other accompanying cannabinoids may have therapeutic effects on dryness and inflammation-based skin diseases.

This study shows the importance of full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD in the medical industry.

In addition, since CBD is plant-based, there are no potential side effects of using it for dryness and itching on the skin.

2. Naturally Soothes Inflamed, Acne-Prone Skin 

Several skin diseases can cause inflammation of the skin. Besides that, having an active lifestyle can also cause rashes and skin inflammation.

Whether you have skin inflammation because of constant friction, acne, or even skin cancer, CBD may help because of its anti-inflammatory properties

Since it is a non-addictive compound, your skin will not depend on it for an extended period. 

It may also help reduce the stinging sensation and pain from inflamed skin.

But despite the anti-inflammatory results of CBD, scientists are doing more research on this topic.

3. May Help Reduce Discomfort and Other Effects of Skin Cancer Treatment 

Cancer is now a treatable disease. However, chemotherapy, the leading cancer treatment, can be quite painful.

People with skin cancer go through the same treatment, which can cause excruciating pain. 

In a 2010 experiment, a group of 117 cancer patients was given CBD with THC to reduce cancer-associated pain.

Patients who took CBD and THC combined reported reduced pain than those who only took THC. 

Patients with a placebo or conventional pain medicine did not report any reduction in pain. 

However, another 2018 study shows that CBD may lower chronic pain in muscles, joints, skin, and bones. 

According to this research, CBD can be a potential savior as a topical skin ointment or oral medicine to treat cancer-related pain. 

4. Diminishes Fine Lines and Wrinkles 

The Anti-aging properties of CBD can also potentially reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Aging is inevitable, and it comes with sagging and dried-out skin.

It happens because of the lack of collagen production within your skin. 

Since CBD is plant-based, it has several antioxidants to protect your skin from free radicals. 

Broad-spectrum CBD may also be effective against photoaging from direct sun exposure. 

It has the potential to protect your skin’s surface from UVA and UVB-induced inflammation. UV rays also break down collagen, which results in aging.

Since CBD can potentially protect your skin from UV rays, it will indirectly prevent fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging. 

5. Helps Get Rid of Fungal Skin Infections 

Fungal skin infections are quite common in moist environments.

According to a 2011 study, full-spectrum CBD with THC contents may help reduce fungal and bacterial infections.

Most antifungal medications can dry out the skin and cause inflammation. 

However, CBD can be a plant-based alternative to conventional antifungal medicines with no potential side effects.

In addition, the entourage effect caused by full-spectrum CBD can be beneficial for eliminating skin fungus. This study shows that CBG and CBC are strong antifungal agents of the cannabis plant. 

Furthermore, the monoterpenoids in full-spectrum CBD enhance the skin’s permeability which helps your skin absorb the medicine better.

As a result, it stops the spread of fungi and bacteria. 

6. Alleviate Skin Rashes Caused Digestive Disorders

Our gut health can majorly affect our skin. Inflamed digestive tracts can show up as rashes and sores on your skin.

CBD may be a potential cure for digestive issues that can cause skin problems. Like our nervous system, our gut houses endocannabinoid receptors, which CBD influences. 

It can potentially aid digestion and ease the symptoms of irritable bowel. It reduces the inflammation caused in your bowels, eliminating the risk of reactions like skin burning, itching, and rashes. 

CBD may also act as probiotics for your guts to maintain healthy bacteria and good health within your stomach. However, you need to take CBD in low doses; otherwise, it can be dangerous. 

7. Effectively Treats Hypopigmentation 

Hypopigmentation is a skin condition that reduces melanin production in certain parts of your skin. It causes an uneven skin tone with lighter patches throughout your body. 

A 2019 research shows that CBD may be effective for hypopigmentation in the human body.

They can regulate melanocyte function, resulting in even skin pigmentation.

According to this research, immunosuppressive cannabinoid signaling might also have some therapeutic value in vitiligo. 

More research is required on CBD healing hypopigmentation to become a trusted medicine for vitiligo.

Apart from that, many people use topical CBD to slightly reduce hypopigmentation and hyperpigmentation on their skin. 

8. Helps Deeply Moisturize the Skin 

These days CBD-infused skincare products are widely available in the market. A 2021 study shows the moisturizing effects of CBD for all skin types.

The moisturizing effects of CBD were tested on mice using CBD-based topicals. 

These mice showed more dermal water content on their skin than other mice.

After using CBD, no other layer or natural chemicals inside the skin were disturbed. It even helped reduce the inflammation on the skin while deeply hydrating it. 

This study shows that CBD can be a potentially beneficial ingredient in moisturizers.

CBD may also be an excellent solution for chronic dryness due to its possible skin moisturizing properties.

Continuous research on CBD will make this potentially healing and natural ingredient an essential part of our skincare products.  

How to Find the Best CBD-based Skincare Products

You can find CBD-infused skincare products in most wellness and beauty stores.

However, there are a few factors to consider when buying CBD skincare products.

Here is what you need to look out for: 

Read the Labels 

Before you buy a new CBD-based skincare product, make sure to read the labels carefully. The product should be authentic and should contain certified hemp or cannabis extracts.

Anything that says hemp-like effects, cannabis alternatives, etc., can be a scam.

Also, make sure to purchase skincare products with no or less than 0.3% THC. Anything above that is illegal under federal law.  

Check for the Potency

Another thing to be careful about is the potency. If you are a beginner, 5 to 10 mg is ideal for everyday use.

Do not start with a high potency as it may cause side effects.  

Look for trusted brands that have mentioned the CBD potency in mg on the label.

You can also do a patch test to check if your skin reacts to any product ingredient. 

Must be FDA-Approved 

Any CBD-based product that you purchase should be FDA-Approved.

Many low-quality CBD products in the market can be hazardous to health. 

Putting anything on your skin that is not certified can cause serious allergies and inflammation. 

If the product is tested and certified by the FDA, it is safe for medical and therapeutic usage.  

Third-Party Tested 

All credible CBD brands sell third-party tested products. It is essential to give complete transparency to your customers.

With third-party testing reports, you will be aware of all the impurities, sources of CBD, THC levels, and correct potency of the products. 

This step is vital to know which products are safe to use and not.

It also ensures that the product has no manufacturing errors. 

Choose Stable Packaging

It is best to store CBD in a dark and dry place which is why it is commonly available in dark glass bottles.

Some CBD products are also available in sturdy plastic packaging that keeps the product cold and dry. 

This process is essential to safeguard the potency of the CBD in the packaging.

Exposure to direct sunlight or heat can alter the potency of CBD, affecting its efficiency. 

Dermatologist’s Recommendation 

Lastly, if you have sensitive skin or special skin conditions that are not mentioned above, then make sure to consult your dermatologist before using CBD products. 

Other than that, if you are on medication, consult your general physician before trying CBD.

It can react with certain medicines and cause severe side effects in your body.

Even if you use topical CBD products, knowing which treatments it can react with is important. 

Conclusion 

After reading all the benefits, it must be clear what the hype is all about. Whether it is a topical relaxant or CBD edibles, you can reap the potential benefit of this compound. 

The sales of CBD-infused products will reach around 1.8 billion U.S. dollars by 2022. This statistic is a sign that shows how popular this ingredient is among wellness enthusiasts. 

So, go ahead and amp up your daily skincare routine with CBD-infused skincare products. Your skin protects you from environmental damage, so give it the love it deserves with CBD.

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