Everything you Need to Know about CBD Cosmetics and Skincare
Posted by Lewis Olden onThere is a cannabis renaissance happening throughout various industries from the Health & Wellness sector to the beauty industry. The driving factor at the moment is CBD. CBD is now becoming widely accepted and the beauty industry is starting to utilise the power of CBD within various product categories and there are now a plethora of topical CBD skin care products available to purchase.
What is CBD?
CBD is an abbreviation of cannabidiol. CBD is just one of over 100 cannabinoids that can be extracted from the cannabis sativa plant. The two most renowned cannabinoids are CBD & THC. THC is the cannabinoid that creates the infamous high that a high proportion of people associate with cannabis. CBD has subtler effects that help with conditions such as inflammation, pain, sleep and anxiety.
Why does CBD seem to be everywhere?
In recent years attitudes towards cannabis-based products has shifted and substances such as CBD are now assessed with an open mind when historically it was simply dismissed by many. The enthusiasm and thirst for education surrounding CBD is beginning to remove the stigma that once was all encompassing for attitudes towards cannabis. The change in mindset towards cannabis is allowing innovation in the sector to increase. There is still a huge amount of research that needs to be conducted to have tailored CBD solutions for different purposes, but the industry is on course to overcome this hurdle in good time.
How Does CBD Work?
The human body creates a cannabis like molecule named anandamide which is often casually referred to as the ‘bliss molecule’. CBD naturally elevates the level of the human endocannabinoid system. The increase of anandamide in the body has anti-inflammatory effects and it has other effects in receptors in the brain. It is still unknown precisely which receptors CBD binds to and there are many scientists working on figuring this out. A lot of the media attention about the positive impact CBD can have has related to the treatment of epilepsy.
If you take a CBD product that is ingestible or a CBD supplement, it enters the bloodstream and finds its way to one of the body’s numerous endocannabinoid receptors. Using a CBD cream or CBD balm on the skin tends to only act within the area it is applied. If this is something you would be interested in, why not buy CBD balm from Cannacares for a vegan-friendly, THC-free solution to skincare. CBD cream or CBD balm is unlikely to penetrate deep enough to get into the bloodstream and the product will tend to accumulate in the upper skin layers. Many believe that the stored CBD can provide longer-term relief.
What does the CBD in CBD Creams and CBD Balms actually do? Why is it good for your skin?
Topical CBD cosmetics most appealing attribute is their anti-inflammatory and pain-killing properties. Research into CBD is providing more evidence that CBD creams and CBD balms can be an effective treatment for dry skin, psoriasis and eczema. This is why CBD is starting to appear in so many creams, body butters and serums. Inflammation of this skin is an underlying issue of countless issues such as acne and the aging of the skin. Many alternative options to treat skin conditions use ingredients like a retinoid or some kind of acid. Treatments for conditions like eczema are often treated with steroid creams which can have long-term side effects on the user’s skin, often thinning it out. Severe cases of eczema or a bad flare up can even result in a course of oral steroids. CBD is fantastic at treating eczema and other such skin conditions. It is an excellent alternative to these drastic treatments that have side effects which can affect mood, sleep and energy levels.
Acne can be an absolute nightmare to treat due to its many components, sebum, blocked pores, inflammation and the proliferation of bacteria all combine to inflict acne upon the body. A 2014 study found that CBD can help supress the breakouts of acne by regulating the level of oil production in the sebaceous gland.
Are CBD cosmetic products legal?
Yes, in the UK CBD is totally legal so long as the THC content is below 0.2%. There is incoming Novel Food legislation but that only applies to ingestible product, CBD cosmetic products are exempt. So, there will be now restrictions on your favourite CBD Balms, CBD moisturiser or CBD Cream.
If you are interested in learning more around the issue of legality, read our comprehensive guide to CBD laws in the UK.
Are CBD cosmetic products safe to use?
The research that has been conducted into the safety and efficacy of CBD is limited, with many studies reaching the conclusion that more research is required. The most compelling evidence for the use of CBD is for treating childhood epilepsy.
The research that has been undertaken so far shows that CBD is safe, but more research needs to be carried out to prove the safety of CBD beyond doubt. Some studies on CBD had mixed findings while other studies have shown extremely positive results. On the whole it is reasonable to assume that CBD is safe and even effective in many cases.
What does the future hold for CBD cosmetics and beauty products?
As the popularity of CBD continues to rise, large established corporations within the beauty and cosmetic industries will shift their focus and create CBD specific ranges and even brands. This will increase the number of CBD products available to the public as well as increasing the amount of people who incorporate CBD into their daily lives. The increased investment within the sector will lead to the innovation of wonderful CBD creams that can help people deal with dry skin conditions and with inflammation.
One likely area of innovation is the use of terpenes. Terpenes are the aspect of the cannabis plant that gives it the infamous smell. Terpenes are the essential oils of cannabis. New research implies that the terpenes in cannabis operate synergistically with cannabinoids to enhance medicinal effects. Terpenes are vital in opening the pain receptors and making all the cannabinoids more bioavailable and effective.
Can CBD be used for anti-aging purposes?
As CBD is derived from the cannabis plant it is unsurprising that it has antioxidant properties. Antioxidants in CBD are an instance of how topical use helps to lessen the visible signs of aging. The CBD helps the skin to counteract free-radical damage and reduces the look of inflammation. CBD creams and CBD balms visibly diminish issues like wrinkles, skin tone and dullness.
There other antioxidants that work in a similar manner to CBD and there are countless beauty products that advertise similar effects. CBD is just a more modern option that can enter the reckoning if you are seeking to reverse the effects of aging on your skin.
Can you use CBD balms and CBD creams on sensitive skin?
A benefit of CBD topicals, in particular CBD moisturiser, is that it has been found to have fantastic moisturising properties. CBD’s substantial skin-calming and skin-normalising effects help to minimise skin related sensitivity, especially when concerning redness and reactivity. All skin types are affected by environmental factors, CBD moisturiser’s soothing mechanism can help keep everybody’s skin smooth and fresh, no matter their ailments. If you would like to try a market leading, vegan-friendly option, why not buy CBD moisturiser from Cannacares and treat your skin!
How to find the best CBD cosmetics
There is now such an array of CBD skin care products on the market, it can be overwhelming to ensure you choose the correct product. Many brands selling CBD skin care products list the total cannabidiol content in milligrams and sometimes it is broken down on a per use basis. This can be a good indicator as to whether the CBD product is legitimate. There is currently no scientific guidance about what the optimal amount of CBD is to be applied to the skin per application.
It is advisable that when you are selecting a CBD skin care product to use, you make sure that the product has been extracted compliantly and within the proper parameters. There is still a great deal of research that needs to be undertaken to prove the efficacy of CBD topicals and how they can help people deal with different conditions or just to have the smoothest skin possible. As the resulting evidence is published it seems inevitable that CBD will become a mainstay of a lot of people’s skin care routines.