Should CBD be in Skincare?
CBD (Cannabinoids) have been the latest buzzy skincare ingredient.
I actively declined purchasing or receiving these products, because there wasn’t a lot of scientific evidence backing many of the marketing claims. Most studies I could find were from the last 5 years!
Believe it or not, I take an edited approach to skincare
MORE EVIDENCE BASED ARTICLES HERE
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the main pharmacologically active phytocannabinoids of Cannabis sativa L.
That’s right, we’re making skincare from weed now.
CBD is non-psychoactive but exerts a number of beneficial pharmacological effects
My overall opinion – Meh, Don’t believe what you hear. But there is potential in clinical-grade skincare that just doesn’t exist yet.
There are many, burgeoning new studies with multiple claims. However, the way that topical CBD interacts with Cannabinoid pathways is still largely unknown. Further, the “dose” or amount of CBD present in over-the-counter products is unregulated.
To relate the varied, higher doses used in these clinical trials to the marketing claims in varied, majority lower-dosed commercial skincare would be IRRESPONSIBLE .
The 411 (maybe)
TYPE OF INGREDIENT: Anti-oxidant, Anti-inflammatory
MAIN BENEFITS: Reduces inflammation, Regulates oil production, Neutralizes free radical damage.
WHO SHOULD USE IT: inflamed skin (acne, rosacea) and to prevent signs of aging
WORKS WELL WITH: Ceramides, hyaluronic acid, peptides, and niacinamides (to lock in moisture).
CAUTION: CBD skincare is an unregulated industry. Studies referenced in this article have high levels of active ingredient, CBD, there are highly variable levels in the market today. Similarly, there is not a diverse, abundant, or time-tested amount of scientific studies to endorse these benefits.
Acne- Prone Skin
CBD has been found to be anti-inflammatory, and to reduce lipid production from the sebaceous glands. Overproduction of this sebum (“oil”), and inflammation are components of what contributes to the congested hair follicles that cause acne. But reducing oil production, follicles will have more of a chance to stay clear. With the anti-inflammatory and cannabinoid effects, CBD might help reduce redness, pain, and swelling associated with inflammatory acne.
Anti-Aging
Like pretty much all fruits, vegetables + plants, CBD is an anti-oxidant. This might be the most straight-forward, most-studied claim. Anti-oxidants have been assigned the “anti-aging” label because they are preventative care for your skin. “Signs of aging” or damage to the skin over time results from free radicals and environmental damage from: sun, pollution, toxins, smoke, and stress. Anti-oxidants work by scavenging loose electrons so that they cannot cause damage to your skin cells, communications + processes.
Jenn
The reason why you’re only finding clinical studies dated from the past five years is that CBD, in association with its mother plant Cannabis sativa L., was labeled a Schedule 1 drug and studying it was illegal. CBD derived from industrial hemp was only made legal since the 2018 US Farm Bill. Since then, crops abiding by the “below 0.3% THC” government threshold / bureaucrat-made definition had to be cultivated in order to be compliant. It’s important for your readers to understand this and not base the number of clinical studies as lack of evidence for efficacy. Modern science will lag mother nature when man-made laws restrict its access and vilify its benefits.