CBD cosmetics is a fast-growing industry, with an influx of beauty brands incorporating hemp into their lineups of products, and hemp companies launching skincare lines that are proving to be successful. There are no restrictions when it comes to using hemp and its cannabinoids like CBD in cosmetics, and this has helped the submarket boom like crazy in the last few years.
How CBD Affects the Skin
Being a cannabinoid, CBD binds to cannabinoid receptors in the skin’s layers to promote regulatory actions, as determined by the body’s endocannabinoid system that is tasked with maintaining equilibrium throughout all systems of the body. When we apply cannabinoids in hemp directly to the skin, they absorb quickly, finding these receptors in no time for relatively fast and thorough distribution of their properties. They work similarly to pain-related topicals, offering long-lasting effects that remain localized to the area of application.
How to Choose the Right CBD Skincare Product
Now that you know how CBD absorbs into the skin to become effective, it’s important to know how to choose the right CBD skincare product, as there are many on the market that are competing for your attention.
- You need to choose a brand that you can trust, which you can do by looking for lab reports from a third-party and reading reviews on their website.
- Next, you need to make sure that a formula has a decent milligram strength of CBD to be effective and check the other ingredients to make sure that they agree with the unique needs of your skin.
- There are many different CBD skincare products out there targeted for different needs, such as aging and acne, so choose the one that most addresses your particular goals.
CBD Activity and Safety
So, is CBD safe to apply to the skin? Well, remember that hemp is nontoxic to the human body, as cannabinoids are naturally produced within the bodily system, and stored in a nontoxic manner to be distributed as needed by the endocannabinoid system. Applying CBD to your skin doesn’t even allow the cannabinoids to fully enter the bloodstream, where other substances could accumulate in toxic levels. So, in short, there is absolutely no reason to worry about the consequences of applying cannabidiol directly to the skin for cosmetic-related purposes.
What’s the Difference Between CBD Isolate and Full Spectrum CBD?
Some CBD cosmetics are made with CBD isolate, while others are made with full spectrum CBD. CBD isolate is an extract of pure cannabidiol, isolated from the other natural compounds in the hemp plant. Full spectrum CBD contains the full array of compounds in the buds, including numerous cannabinoids, terpenes, and nutrients, including the naturally high level of cannabidiol in the plant material.
So, which is more ideal for skincare? Well, it depends. We like full spectrum cannabidiol because each compound offers something unique. For instance, many terpenes in hemp have anti-inflammatory properties that can benefit the skin specifically. However, CBD isolate is by no means a less useful option if you want to explore the concentrated properties of pure cannabidiol.
One thing that full spectrum has over other types of extracts is the entourage effect. This refers to a synergistic effect that takes place when all of the compounds in hemp absorb at once, boosting the efficacy of the others as they offer their properties to the area of application.
Positive Effects of CBD Cosmetics
Now, let’s talk about the specifics of what CBD is capable of when it comes to skin wellness. With its many properties, it’s no wonder why so many cosmetic and beauty companies are feeling very optimistic about the future of hemp-infused skincare.
CBD Regulates Sebum Production
CBD has been shown to have sebostatic properties, meaning that it can regulate sebum production. Sebum is the oil secreted by the pores of the skin, acting to protect the skin’s moisture barrier and protect it from hydration loss. Many of us have imbalanced sebum production due to hormonal or dietary issues.
Anti-Inflammatory Effect
Inflammation of the skin can lead to all kinds of issues including eczema and acne, and the anti-inflammatory properties of CBD may help conquer this common issue. It seems that cannabinoids like cannabidiol regulate how the inflammatory response expresses itself in the skin and other areas of the body. Applying it directly to inflamed areas of the skin may be a great way to combat the effects of inflammation such as redness and tenderness.
Antiviral and Antibacterial
Cannabidiol is known for its antimicrobial activity, giving it the ability to protect the skin against viruses and bacteria that can wreak havoc on its health. Many acne cases come from either viral or bacterial invaders that make their way into the pores, and further, there are severe infections that can negatively affect the skin such as staph. Applying CBD to the skin daily may help kill these microbes for a healthier complexion inside and out.
CBD for Acne
Due to the combined properties mentioned above, cannabidiol may be a viable acne treatment, being potentially capable to kill the bacteria that leads to pimples, reduce inflammation that occurs during breakouts and balance sebum production to keep the pores from getting clogged. All of these properties can work together to stop acne at its root cause, while balancing the skin in a way that allows it to clear up and heal more quickly.
Antioxidant Properties of CBD
Antioxidants are commonly used in anti-aging products due to their ability to fight free radicals that damage the skin cells and lead to premature aging. CBD is rich in antioxidants that can be applied directly to the skin to play a role in fighting the physical aging signs like fine lines and age spots.
Regulates Dry Skin and Oily Skin
With its regulatory nature, CBD can balance oil production with its sebostatic properties, meaning that whether your skin is too dry or too oily, regular application may be noticeably helpful.
Even Complexion
With its anti-inflammatory properties, CBD may even out the skin tone, reducing redness caused by inflammation.