CBD offers a wide range of health benefits, from improved sleep and digestion to reduced pain and inflammation. Emerging research suggests that you should choose CBD for beauty, too. Skin is the body’s largest organ, and everything that passes through the surface can impact your health – good or bad.
Small studies (and lots of anecdotal evidence) suggest that CBD skincare can reduce skin dryness, ease sensitivity, reduce surface swelling, and improve elasticity. If one of your girlfriends raves about how CBD erases wrinkles, it might have worked for her but it’s hard to pinpoint why. That’s the magic of anecdotes!
So, does CBD skincare really work? And how do you maximize the benefits of cannabis for acne, anti-aging, or sensitivity? Let’s find out.
Check the Label:
What’s in Your CBD Skincare?
Full-spectrum CBD, cannabidiol isolate, hemp seed oil, cannabis terpenes… One of these ingredients is not like the others – can you spot it?
Hemp Seed Oil for Skin
‘Hemp seed oil’ is often (incorrectly!) marketed under the same umbrella as CBD. Those brands just hope you won’t know the difference. In reality, hemp oil is more similar to grape seed oil or olive oil. Yes, hemp seeds have fatty acids that might give you a moisturized glow, but that’s it.
Cannabis Terpenes for Skin
Cannabis terpenes are another common trick. These organic compounds are extracted from the plant and emerging research suggests that they may provide unique benefits, but it mostly affects taste and smell (somewhat like essential oils.) Even if the product smells like cannabis, make sure it has CBD in the ingredients list, not just on the front label.
Full-Spectrum vs. CBD Isolate for Skin
Cannabidiol (CBD) is just one of 100+ natural chemicals in hemp, and it’s the most popular choice for cannabis beauty products. CBD isolate isn’t a marketing trick, but it may not be as effective as full-spectrum CBD skincare.
Research shows that full-spectrum CBD provides more benefits than a pure isolate because the complete profile of extracted compounds can interact and build on each other. This unique phenomenon is called the Entourage Effect!
Check the Industry:
Can You Trust CBD Beauty?
Researchers at John Hopkins University tested 100+ topical CBD skin products from across the nation. Their goal was to test for consumer safety trends and see if the labels matched what was inside. The results were shocking… In July 2022, research showed that 76% of products were mislabeled!
Whether you’re browsing the beauty aisle or shopping for CBD skincare online, make sure to do your research. Check the CBD company’s website and look for third-party lab reports – that’s the best way to know exactly what’s inside.
Check the Method:
Does Topical CBD Really Work?
CBD is a relatively new industry, and researchers are still trying to understand exactly how it interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). One thing is certain – CBD is an effective biological tool that reduces inflammation. Dermatologists sometimes recommend targeted, topical treatments of CBD for eczema, psoriasis, and acne.
Cannabinoid receptors are located throughout the entire body, including your skin. CBD can be absorbed directly through the skin, even though yes – your skin does have protective barriers that limit some amount of absorption.
Skincare CBD is not 100% bioavailable like water-bonded CBD capsules or CBD drinks. Plus, it’s also worth mentioning that cannabinoid levels can only be raised and sustained with consistent use.
Topical CBD skincare may provide localized benefits and targeted healing for trouble spots and flare-ups. CBD capsules, on the other hand, get absorbed through the bloodstream to support skin health from head to toe.
Check your Expectations:
Building a Daily CBD Regimen
If you’re trying to soothe eczema flareups or control patches of acne, topical CBD skincare might help! Just make sure to check the label, find a brand you trust, and give your skin time to heal.
The biggest benefits of CBD for skin come from inside. Just like the Entourage Effect of full-spectrum CBD, higher cannabinoid levels may help you live a healthier, more beautiful life.
Glow from the inside out with less anxiety, better sleep, and improved digestion – three things that indirectly (and obviously!) support skin health overall. Harmonic Woman CBD created The Kit to help you micro-dose throughout the day and feel more beautiful in your skin.