How CBD Helps Your Skincare Routine

The cannabis compound cannabidiol (CBD) has been put to the test and proven to be useful for a wide spectrum of uses. Now it’s being touted as a major innovation in skincare. CBD face serums, lotions, and even CBD bath bombs are beating out good old-fashioned products like cold cream and apricot scrub.

With gobs of CBD cosmetics hitting the scene, you might be wondering, “how exactly does CBD benefit skin?” In other words, why on earth should you disrupt your coveted skincare routine with CBD? 

The answer to that lies in the CBD skin science, which we just so happen to be about to rifle through. You in?

4 Ways CBD Can Help Your Skin

Our understanding of how CBD helps skin is shaped by our understanding of something called the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is wired through your whole body, including your skin. Here, the ECS is known as the cutaneous ECS.

As a cannabinoid, CBD has collaborator access to the ECS, including the cutaneous part. That’s how it interacts with your body. Research suggests that CBD can help the ECS keep your body in a state of balance (homeostasis).

The particulars of how CBD works with the cutaneous ECS is still being researched, but scientists have made some progress. Here’s the gist of what’s been uncovered so far in the skincare department.

#1 CBD For Acne

In the frustrating battle against acne, it’s natural to be curious about whether something new like CBD could help. The great news is that early research leans positive for CBD helping to reduce pimples and breakouts.

In a clinical trial of 20 people, topical ointment infused with CBD improved skin without adverse effects.(1)

A scientific review identified CBD’s well-known anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties as having the potential to resolve acne.(2) CBD also reduces the production of sebum, which can clog pores and lead to blemishes.

We take a deeper dive into CBD’s pimple-resolving potential in the articleCBD For Acne: Can It Help? Head there next if acne is on your skincare priority list.

#2 CBD For Wrinkles

We all face a wrinkle at some point, but proper skin care can help prevent and diminish them.

CBD just might be a valuable tool in your wrinkle-prevention regimen. Collagen, which gives skin its fresh and full appearance, starts to decrease starting around age 30. Antioxidants in CBD can help fight off the free radicals that attack collagen.

Fine lines and wrinkles are caused by many factors over time  — stress, sleep, diet, etc. CBD oil drops, CBD gummies, and other edibles can be layered with topical CBD for an inside-out approach to nixing wrinkles.

For more on CBD for wiser skin and bodies, check out our article titled CBD For Anti-Aging: Skin Care & Beyond.

#3 CBD For Skin Conditions

Skin conditions each have their own protocols and best practices, so it’s taking time for CBD research to cover all the bases. Efforts focused on eczema and psoriasis have shown some encouraging results.

A small clinical trial found that THC-free CBD ointment significantly helped existing skin issues as well as scars in people with psoriasis or atopic dermatitis.(1) And it didn’t cause irritation or allergic reactions.

CBD’s antimicrobial properties can kill the same bacteria that cause eczema flare-ups.(3)

Pro tip: If you have a skin condition, don’t forget to check out other ingredients in the products you use to make sure they won’t irritate your sensitive skin.

#4 CBD Is Plant-Based Skin Nutrition

On top of all of the above, CBD has some serious plant-based power, and not only when you consume it. Skin can soak up some of CBD’s goodness, too, like vitamins A, E, and D — all of which help keep your skin healthy and happy.

Those antioxidants we mentioned earlier aren’t just helpful for acne and wrinkles. They could also help relieve puffiness and redness, and prevent cell degeneration.

For full-on plant-based goodness, look for vegan CBD products.

The Best CBD For Skin Care

The ideal product for your skin depends on your skin type and what you want to achieve. But there are some things to look for when buying any kind of CBD.

• Look for purity. Pure CBD products are made with high-quality ingredients, including CBD made from organically-cultivated American hemp.
• Consider broad-spectrum CBD. Broad-spectrum CBD contains compounds that can make the product more effective.
• Make sure there’s actually CBD in there. To find this out, look for the Certificate of Analysis (COA).

Consider trying a CBD-infused skincare product that checks these boxes, or peruse our blog for DIY CBD beauty recipes after this! You can also use other forms of CBD like CBD tinctures and CBD softgels to tap into its skin-loving potential holistically.

CBD + Skin = A Win

CBD seems to be a natural fit in skincare, and it brings along its many benefits. Acne, wrinkles, and skin conditions are a few things that CBD could improve when added to your skincare regimen. It’s also full of vegan-friendly skin nutrition.

Keep quality and effectiveness in mind when shopping for CBD goodies for your skin. Remember that you can use topical CBD or consume it in other forms for skin benefits.

SHOP PURE CBD NOW

References

1. Palmieri, B, et al. (2019). A therapeutic effect of CBD-enriched ointment in inflammatory skin diseases and cutaneous scars. La Clinica terapeutica. https://doi.org/10.7417/CT.2019.2116
2. Tóth, KF, et al. (2019). Cannabinoid Signaling in the Skin: Therapeutic Potential of the "C(ut)annabinoid" System. Molecules. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules24050918
3. Wassmann, CS, et al. (2020). Cannabidiol is an effective helper compound in combination with bacitracin to kill Gram-positive bacteria. Scientific reports. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-60952-0