Why Should You Add CBD Into Your Skincare Routine?
The hype around CBD is steadily increasing with new products hitting the market every day. If you’ve been searching, then you’ve seen all types of tinctures, edibles, pills, and vapes to reap the health benefits of CBD; But what about CBD for the skin? Bioavailability is your body’s process of absorbing CBD from the application area on the skin to the bloodstream. Hemp-derived CBD products maximize bioavailability by allowing more CBD to enter the bloodstream without having to metabolize it [1]. What’s even better is the cannabidiol molecules from hemp-derived CBD products don’t even need to reach the bloodstream in order for full affects to take place. They bind and stimulate the CB2 receptors within the skin that make up the endocannabinoid system (ECS). So, why should you add CBD into your skincare routine?
CBD is safe for all skin types
While some essential oils can irritate sensitive skin, cannabidiol is non-toxic and does not cause irritation. Regardless of your skin type, or any skin issues you may have, the use of CBD will not create any adverse effects. This is one of the best features you can enjoy about using CBD for your skin, which is often not the case for over-the-counter skin products. Make sure to watch out for the added ingredients when trying a new CBD product. If everything else agrees with you, CBD can be great even for the most sensitive or irritable skin types. Although this is the case for CBD, the carrier oils used to dilute the CBD may not be. CBD is thick like molasses and many companies will use a carrier oil to reduce the concentration which makes it easier to blend into cosmetic products. At &Sunny, we use Jojoba Oil as our carrier oil, which is one of the safest carriers for all skin types.
Protects and rejuvenates the skin
Several studies suggest that CBD has powerful antioxidant properties which protect and rejuvenate the skin. An antioxidant is a term to describe the wide range of compounds which neutralize free radicals and prevent damage to your DNA, while fighting the effects of aging. Put simply: Antioxidants are great! Antioxidants fight oxidative damage by giving up some of their own electrons, thereby calming the previously unpaired free radical electrons and preventing them from doing any further damage. The growing body of evidence strongly suggests the CBD may play an important role in our future health and longevity. In fact, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has filed a patent for CBD-based antioxidant treatments [2].
Moisturizes without the excess oil
CBD makes an excellent, nourishing moisturizer. Yet it won’t leave your skin with excessive oil despite being an oil itself. In fact, CBD might actually reduce how oily your skin is. This is because CBD and hemp oil may target excess production of sebum—a natural, oily skin secretion—as they hydrate and provide vitamins plus fatty acids. CBD can regulate the production of sebum in your body to ensure you won’t have oily skin. Having normal level of oils in the body will also keep your skin moisturized and prevent pollutants from irritating your pores. Over time, the use of CBD may become your golden ticket to clear and healthy skin.
May reduce scar appearance
We already know applying CBD to the skin can protect, hydrate, and moisturize the skin. But did you know it can also improve the appearance of scars on the skin? When the skin’s layers are damaged, the cells work to repair the injury with new collagen fibers. This produces scar tissue which often looks and feels different from the surrounding skin. Studies show CBD may make scars less noticeable as well as improve skin elasticity, hydration, and soothe irritation [3]. Another way CBD helps scars heal is by regulating collagen production. Whether you have scars from a wound or a burn, or a skin condition like acne or psoriasis, applying CBD topically may help.
Bye, bye inflammation
“Cannabidiol offers some serious antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits which can be beneficial in treating skin concerns like inflammation, dryness and free radical damage," says Ildi Pekar, NYC-based aesthetician and founder of her own eponymous skincare line. CBD pairs with your endocannabinoid system to reduce inflammation inside and out. The endocannabinoid system in the human body produces and responds to cannabinoids, which play a key role in healthy body function and inflammation reduction. We like to say: your body has an endocannabinoid system, not an ibuprofen system. CBD contains several anti-inflammatory properties which may help with a wide range of conditions including Alzheimer’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, multiple sclerosis, eczema, psoriasis, and chronic pain [4].
Sources:
[1] Roberson, Tim. “The Difference Between Topical and Oral CBD.” CbdMD, 10 July 2020, www.cbdmd.com/blog/post/difference-between-topical-and-oral-cbd.
[2] “Is CBD an Antioxidant?” CBD Choice, 30 Oct. 2020, cbdchoice.com/is-cbd-an-antioxidant/.
[3] “Why CBD Can Help Heal Wounds & Scars.” HelloMD, www.hellomd.com/articles/why-cbd-can-help-heal-wounds-and-scars
[4] “Inflammation and CBD Oil: Benefits, Effectiveness, and Dosage.” CBD Oil Review, cbdoilreview.org/diseases-conditions/cbd-oil-for-inflammation
