CBD Benefits For Our Skin
CBD is known for providing a number of health benefits. It is growing in popularity for the benefits it can provide to skin health. When applied to the skin, it can provide anti-aging effects, reduce signs of acne and even calm symptoms of unpleasant skin conditions. Find out how more about CBD and how it can help you achieve the skin you’ve always wanted.
What is CBD?
CBD is a unique compound that can be found in the cannabis plant. Its use is a bit controversial due to its relation to THC, another compound found in the cannabis plant, but unlike THC, it does not provide any mind-altering effects. Rather, it provides a number of health benefits including the many benefits it can provide to the skin.
How Does CBD Work To Provide Health Benefits to Skin
The way CBD works within the body is still being studied. However, because cannabinoid receptors are located throughout the skin, CBD has the capability of interacting with these receptors to promote homeostasis and healing. These interactions help skin to improve in appearance and treat skin conditions that may affect quality of life.
How Does CBD Benefit Skin?
Anti-Aging: CBD is a powerful antioxidant that works to reverse the signs of aging. It does this by fighting free radicals which are unstable atoms that can damage cells causing illness and aging. They also break down the collagen that keeps skin strong and firm. CBD reduces the effects of free radicals to keep skin healthy.
Oil production also helps skin retain moisture to keep it looking youthful. CBD promotes oil production preventing dry skin that can lead to wrinkles.
Fights Acne: CBD can also be effective in reducing the appearance of acne. It works on several levels to improve the appearance of acne affected skin.
CBD can be beneficial for acne because it works as an anti-inflammatory agent communicating with the CB1 and CB2 receptors in sebaceous glands to produce a soothing effect. Therefore, it can help make affected areas appear less inflamed and reduce redness.
CBD also activates the endocannabinoid system including a neurological transmitter called anandamide, which regulates cell growth. CBD helps to balance the anandamide transmitter to keep skin balanced and control excessive oil production that can cause acne.
Acne treatments tend to dry out areas of the skin that are not affected by acne. CBD treats only problem causing cells, leaving healthy cells alone.
Treats Psoriasis: Psoriasis is thought to be an immune system problem. The most common symptom is a rash on the skin.
Treatment aims to remove cells and stop skin cells from growing so quickly. Studies have shown that CBD can be effective in slowing the growth of skin cells. It also works to soothe inflammation and dryness to improve symptoms overall.
Treats Rosacea: Often misdiagnosed as acne, rosacea can have varying symptoms ranging from overall redness of the skin to small pus filled bumps or pustules that appear on the face.
CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties, as well as its ability to affect the growth of skin cells is what makes it effective in treating the symptoms of rosacea.
Treats Eczema: Eczema is a medical condition in which patches of skin become rough and inflamed with blisters that cause itching and bleeding. CBD works to relieve symptoms of eczema through its ability to manage skin dryness and its anti-inflammatory properties.
Studies have shown that a disturbed endocannabinoid system can lead to various skin problems, including eczema. CBD works to address the disturbed endocannabinoid system to relieve symptoms of eczema and other unpleasant skin conditions.
Studies conducted on CBD effectiveness in treating skin conditions
These include the following:
2007: This study tested CBD’s effectiveness in the treatment of psoriasis. Psoriasis is characterized in part by epidermal keratinocyte hyper-proliferation. The study proved the cannabinoids inhibit keratinocyte proliferation and could potentially be effective in the treatment.
2007: Many skin conditions are allergy related. This test studied rats, some of whom were given CBD and some weren’t. The ones who had CBD in their system experienced a reduction of allergic reactions on the skin.
2013: This study looked at epidermal keratinocytes (KCs) and cannabinoid receptors (CBs) both of which participate in the regulation of inflammatory responses for contact dermatitis. When mice were tested, it was shown that CB receptors can limit the secretion of proinflammatory chemokines, therefore reducing inflammation overall.
2014: This study tested CBD’s effectiveness as an anti-inflammatory in acne treatment. It was found that the compound’s lipostatic, antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory effects could work to treat acne vulgaris.
Will CBD Make Your Skin Itchy?
This question may come as a surprise for some. After all, this article contains a lot of information on how CBD relieves skin conditions including those that cause discomfort and itching. However, there are times when people experience itching when CBD is applied to the skin.
If you find your skin is itchy after applying a CBD product, it is important to consider all factors involved. It’s possible that it’s not the CBD that is causing the itching, but other ingredients used.
Many manufacturers create lotions that include CBD as well as other oils made to soothe and heal skin. However, these added ingredients will not have the desired effect if there is an allergy present.
Users should also consider the fact that the CBD market is highly unregulated. The legal gray areas that still exist regarding cannabis use make it easy for manufacturers to use dishonest representation regarding their products. If you are experiencing itching, it may be due to undisclosed low-quality ingredients added into the product.
However, if you are sourcing your CBD from a manufacturer you trust and are certain that there are no other ingredients causing an itchy reaction, it may just be that you are allergic to CBD. Cannabis allergies are rare, but cannabis–just like any other plant–can trigger an allergic reaction. If you are one of the unlucky few, you may have to give up cannabis use altogether.
How to Take CBD to Improve Skin
CBD is available in topical forms and can also be taken orally. Though both methods can improve skin conditions, applying topically is the preferred method. When CBD is taken orally, it can take a few hours to work through the bloodstream to start affecting skin. When applied topically, CBD is directed to the affected area so that it can begin working immediately.
However, it is important to note that skin does not absorb CBD easily. Human skin is not very permeable, and it will block a majority of substances applied to prevent them from entering the body.
The absorption rates of CBD are very low. For topical CBDs to work, they must be applied generously so they are thick enough to break the barrier. This will help CBD to absorb into the skin to promote healing.
Lotions, salves and balms are recommended for the high levels of CBD they contain.
How to Find the Best CBD Product for Your Skin
When strolling the beauty aisle for CBD products, it’s important to know what to look for to make sure what you are buying is effective. It’s not enough for a product to say it includes CBD or hemp extract. The fact is, it could be processed so intensely that the phytonutrients are stripped away and you could be left with an isolate that’s just white powder that does not contain the potent cannabinoids.
To avoid this from happening, you should look for products that use a pure extraction method. This information should be stated on the package, but it can also be helpful to do research in advance to make sure you are buying from a trusted source.
Topical CBD comes in the form of balms, creams, lotions and salves. These topical products can also be effective in relieving the pain associated with sore muscles, injuries and arthritis.
Application of CBD to Skin
When applying CBD topicals to skin, it is important to apply them correctly to get optimal results.
With that in mind, here are a few things to take note of:
Start by cleaning the area: Even if you think your skin is clean, bacteria and contaminants are in the air and can adhere to your skin. These contaminants can keep the topical from fully absorbing into your skin. While it’s not necessary to get into the shower to clean thoroughly, a quick scrub with a moist cloth or paper towel will do the trick in removing unwanted particles from the skin.
Apply generously and vigorously: After you’ve cleaned and dried the area, apply the topical generously. You might even want to apply it multiple times. Be sure to massage it deeply into skin. Don’t apply too much pressure as this could exacerbate your condition, but be sure to be firm and don’t be shy about a second or third application.
Wash your hands: Wash your hands after application. Topicals tend to irritate eyes and noses so you don’t want to touch these areas if any is left on your hands.
Manage your expectations: Topicals will not make your symptoms go away instantly, but may provide subtle relief that may increase over time. Give your topical time to work and re-apply over a couple of days to determine how effective the treatment is.
CBD is a great treatment for skin providing a more youthful appearance and relief from acne and other unpleasant skin conditions. Find the right product for you and use it to relieve your symptoms. Hopefully CBD will work to improve your skin for added self confidence and a higher quality of life.
