The edible benefits of CBD are well known, but you may be less aware of CBD’s topical applications in skincare. Does adding CBD to your daily skincare routine provide an effective solution for a certain skin condition? Here’s everything you need to know before deciding to add CBD to your skincare routine.
How Does CBD Work Inside Your Body?
CBD interacts with your endocannabinoid system and helps your body maintain balance. Your endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a complex signaling system that plays a critical role in regulating a number of functions including:
- Sleep
- Mood
- Emphasize
- Painful
- Storage
- Appetite
- Fertility
- Immunity
All of these functions contribute to homeostasis (the stability of your internal environment). The endocannabinoid system is present and active in your body even if you aren’t taking “cannabinoids”. For example, if an external stressor such as an infection or injury disrupts your body’s internal environment; ECS itself is active to help your body return to an ideal/healthy state.
Although your body produces cannabinoids on its own, you can increase your supply by consuming CBD products.
How Does Topical CBD Work?
Topical CBD is absorbed through the pores and interacts with cannabinoid receptors in your skin to maintain skin homeostasis. Recent studies have shown that the ECS plays a very important role in maintaining skin homeostasis and barrier function. ECS dysregulation has been implicated in diverse skin disorders such as itching, acne, dermatitis, hair growth/loss, and hypo/hyperpigmentation. (1)(2)(3).
Topical CBD provides a localized effect that maintains benefits to a particular area. It does not penetrate your skin deep enough to enter your bloodstream.
How Can CBD Support Healthy Skin?
CBD is known to be very effective in treating the following skin conditions:
- Pimple: CBD has anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and oil-reducing properties that can help stop acne. A study shows the beneficial effects of CBD in regulating oil production (4) on your skin (as excess sebum is a contributing factor to acne). Other studies explored the potential antifungal and antibacterial properties of hash (5). This can help stop acne caused by skin infections. A study has also shown that CBD may be beneficial for treating the appearance of acne scars (6).
- Dryness and Itching: CBD has anti-inflammatory properties (7) and since it can help reduce swelling, irritation, redness, and breakouts from certain skin conditions like eczema.
- Aging: CBD has antioxidant properties (8) and therefore may help stop the appearance of aging by reducing free radical damage to the skin. Free radical damage is the main explanation for skin aging.
Should You Add CBD to Your Skin Care Routine?
CBD skincare products are beneficial for your skin, irrespective of your skin type and concerns. If you are trying to find a natural way to improve the health of your skin, this is it OTO CBD skincare range can be a strong addition to your skincare regimen that will leave your skin hydrated, protected and revitalized.