Everything you need to know about CBD skincare
You might already be familiar with the term ‘CBD’, an acronym for cannabidiol. This, in turn, is a compound originating from the cannabis Sativa plant otherwise known as hemp. CBD has been credited with an array of physical and mental health merits — like easing migraine pain, relieving seizures and reducing anxiety.
“Most CBD products are marketed for general relaxation purposes,” dermatologist Dr DiAnne Davis explains to Good Housekeeping. This naturally begs the question of why CBD has even been placed into skincare products — and why celebrities including Gwyneth Paltrow and Kristen Bell have reacted with enthusiasm to CBD skincare. Also get online dispensary canada
CBD skincare: is its popularity with celebs justified?
Paltrow has hailed cannabis as “the hero ingredient of the future”, as HELLO! reports — and Bell was introduced to CBD’s benefits through her hairdresser. At least theoretically, then, CBD skincare could help you to achieve a Hollywood-standard complexion without resorting to using non-natural lotions.
So, what plus points has CBD skincare been scientifically proven to have? “There has been some research to indicate that CBD can have positive effects on combating skin inflammation, acne, eczema, tissue scarring and even melanoma,” says Birnur Aral, director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab.
“Current research shows the most promise for cannabinoids in the treatment of itch,” Dr Davis notes, though she warns: “All of this research is in the very early stages so there is no concrete evidence available yet for us to interpret.”
Why CBD skincare products can present a low-risk option
Obviously, one of the most notorious things about cannabis — or marijuana, as it is alternatively called — is its ability to get people ‘high’. However, provided you source CBD skincare products from reliable brands, you shouldn’t experience that same adverse sensation from just applying these products to your skin.
“CBD is a derivative of the marijuana plant,” Dr Davis notes, adding: “Marijuana contains THC, which produces the psychoactive effects.” However, while THC levels in the plant itself can be as high as 17-28%, THC concentrations in CBD are far lower.
“The CBD hemp extracts from reliable sources have THC levels less than 0.3%, which makes them non-intoxicating,” Aral clarifies. So, you could — for example — opt for cannabinoid oil containing high-purity, lab-made CBG (cannabigerol), an especially potent form of CBD with the demonstrable ability to prevent signs of skin ageing.
Be careful where you buy CBD skincare supplies
Unfortunately, not all of these products are likely to be equal in the beneficial implications they can have for your skin. Byrdie warns that many marketing claims about CBD products can be murky or even plain wrong. Especially alarmingly, some products with the ‘CBD’ label don’t actually contain any CBD.
The good news is that genuine CBD skincare can be safely used on a daily basis. Products in this particular category can assist in effectively reducing inflammation, regulating oil production and neutralizing free radical damage — and are recommended for use by people of various types of skin. These include sensitive, dry or ageing skin — or simply inflamed compromised skin.
