CBD has been all the rage lately. From oils and supplements to infused foods, and even pet treats, it does not look as though the CBD trend is going to be dying down anytime soon.
Why has CBD suddenly become so popular?
It’s all thanks to the increasing number of studies emerging that point to the many benefits that CBD can have for a person’s health. Reducing anxiety and depression, minimizing inflammation, treating pain…the list seems almost endless!
However, all of that comes with consuming CBD, so what about CBD skincare? When CBD products are applied topically, do they actually make any difference to the skin?
Let’s find out…
What Exactly is CBD?
Many people are confused about exactly what CBD is, and, considering the number of misconceptions out there in relation to this potent compound, this isn’t surprising.
So, what exactly is CBD?
It is a compound that comes from the hemp plant, and while many may think that CBD will get them “high”, this isn’t true at all. Since CBD comes from the flowers and leaves of the hemp plant, it does not contain any THC, which is what provides those mind-altering effects.
Instead, CBD brings with it several extraordinary health benefits, able to tackle a wide variety of different issues.
CBD and Your Skin
While it may now be common knowledge that CBD is actually pretty amazing for a person’s health, how does topical use affect a person’s skin?
As it turns out, there are two main ways in which CBD could help to improve your skin…
Antioxidant Properties
Pretty much all plant compounds contain antioxidants, although in varying amounts. When it comes to the cannabis plant, antioxidants are rife, making the extract a game-changer when it comes to anti-aging skincare.
New research is showing that cannabinoids are actually one of the richest sources of antioxidants available to man. In fact, one study found that, as an antioxidant, CBD is even more powerful than both vitamins C and E.
Studies show that antioxidants are capable of dramatically improving the health and appearance of the skin in a number of different ways, such as:
- Treating photodamage – research shows that a combination of different antioxidants, applied topically, is one of the best ways to treat photodamaged skin
- Slowing down the aging process – the way in which antioxidants neutralize free radicals prevents them from causing damage to the proteins that give the skin its smoothness, firmness and elasticity
- Reducing melasma – not only prevents the formation of free radicals that lead to melasma, but many antioxidants, such as vitamin C and ellagic acid, also have a whitening effect on the skin
- Helping to treat psoriasis – this is all down to the anti-inflammatory effect that most antioxidants have
- Protecting against non-melanoma skin cancers – by neutralizing free radicals in the skin while also preventing new free radicals from forming
Healing and Anti-Inflammatory Properties
In addition to working as a powerful antioxidant, CBD is also revered for its overall healing effects, and this is attributed to its strong anti-inflammatory properties.
Inflammation can be a huge problem for the skin. It can lead to:
- Acne
- Rashes
- Redness
- Dermatitis
- Rosacea
- Eczema
Anti-inflammatory ingredients, such as CBD, help to prevent all of that. In fact, the connection between acne and CBD, as well as the effects that CBD has on acne, is something that has been extensively studied.
In addition to its anti-inflammatory properties, CBD is also able to influence the sebocytes in the skin, which are the cells that are responsible for producing sebum. If you are someone who already deals with acne, then you likely know all-too-well that excess sebum quickly triggers breakouts. Well, CBD is able to prevent those cells from producing too much sebum, which has a significant effect when it comes to reducing breakouts. The antibacterial and antifungal properties of CBD help in treating acne too.
What About Hemp Seed Oil?
Many often confuse CBD with hemp seed oil, and it is easy to see why. After all, CBD comes from the hemp plant, and hemp seed oil can even contain small amounts of CBD, so the two can easily become mixed up.
There are a few differences between the two, especially when it comes to using either CBD or hemp seed oil as an oral supplement.
However, when it comes to skincare, hemp seed oil has very similar effects to CBD. It is also loaded with many more nutrients, fatty acids in particular, such as:
- Linoleic and Linolenic Acids – improves the skin barrier while providing moisture and plumpness
- Oleic Acid – penetrates deeply into the skin to restore lost moisture and rebalance natural oil production
- Palmitic and Stearic Acids – these work as emollients, helping to soften and soothe the skin
Hemp seed oil also contains several other nutrients, including a number of antioxidants, such as:
- Vitamin E
- Carotene
- Phytosterols
- Phospholipids
- Large amounts of minerals, including calcium, magnesium, potassium and sulfur
If all of that wasn’t enough to convince you that hemp seed oil is worth looking into, this ingredients works as a humectant too.
What does that mean?
It means that hemp seed oil is able to attract moisture from the environment and then feed that to the skin, which can really help in keeping the skin hydrated.
Worried about applying an oil onto oily skin?
Don’t worry, hemp seed oil is non-comedogenic, meaning that it will not clog up your pores. Plus, when you take into consideration the sebum-balancing effects that hemp seed oil can have, this is an oil that can really benefit those who have oily skin.
Incorporating CBD or Hemp Into Your Skincare Routine
If you like the sound of CBD or hemp seed oil and think that your skin may be able to benefit from these ingredients, then you’re now probably wondering about the best way to actually incorporate these ingredients into your skincare routine.
Well, if you have ever looked at the CBD and hemp products available in stores, then you probably already know that there are so many options out there. Everything from cleansers and toners to serums and moisturizers now contain CBD or hemp, giving you an amazing selection to choose from.
Of course, not all products are created equally, so you need to make sure that you pick a trusted brand. You should also ensure that the other ingredients in the product you have chosen are suitable for your skin type, as well as for the skin concerns you are trying to target.
For example, if you want to use CBD or hemp primarily for their antioxidant benefits, a serum would be best. Serums are designed to be extremely lightweight in consistency, so that they are able to penetrate deeper into the skin than creams. This then provides those deeper skin cells with vital nutrients.
The OROGOLD 24K Rejuvenating Skin Serum is a great option for treating your skin to hemp seed oil as well as several other key nutrients. In addition to hemp seed oil, this powerful formula contains:
- Vitamin A
- Two forms of vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Wheat germ oil, which is a fantastic source of vitamins, antioxidants and fatty acids
Face masks are also great for delivering antioxidants deep into your skin, while treating your skin to the anti-inflammatory properties that CBD and hemp seed oil have. The OROGOLD 24K Advanced Facial Mask is a clay-based mask (with both Kaolin and Bentonite) that contains hemp seed oil, as well as a number of other antioxidant-rich botanical extracts. If you already have a go-to face mask that you need to use each week, try multi-masking, as this is a great way to enjoy the benefits of multiple face masks in a single session.
Wondering if you need to go slow when introducing a CBD or hemp seed oil product into your skincare routine?
This is usually the advice given when starting any new skincare product for the first time, and the same applies to one that has been formulated with CBD or hemp too. Although both of these ingredients are incredibly soothing and can be safely used on sensitive skin, the other ingredients used in that product could still cause irritation, which is why a gradual approach is always best.
Packaging is Key
It’s true, you should never judge a book by its cover. However, when it comes to skincare, packaging is actually far more important than many people realize.
How?
Well, it’s not so much the outer box that counts, more the inner packaging that actually contains the product. Both hemp seed oil and CBD, along with just about every other vitamin and botanical extract out there, are affected when they are exposed to sunlight, with the UV rays slowly degrading their potency.
It goes without saying that when you invest in a quality CBD or hemp seed oil formula, you want this to be as effective as possible, and to have a long shelf life. Therefore, you need to look for products that are contained in opaque packaging, as this will prevent the product inside from coming into contact with light.
Of course, oxygen can also quickly degrade skincare ingredients too, especially when it comes to the more delicate formulas, such as serums. Try to look for products that make use of a pump-style dispenser, as this limits the amount of oxygen that is able to access the product.
Feeding Your Skin From Within
Love the sound of CBD or hemp seed oil?
If you want to double up on their benefits, try consuming them orally as well as applying them topically. This will then help to nourish your skin from within, giving you a double dose of these amazing ingredients.
The easiest way would be through supplements, although most experts would agree that whole food forms always tend to be the more bioavailable way for the body to absorb nutrients.
Try using hemp seeds themselves in the kitchen, mixing them into dishes such as:
- Smoothies
- Salads
- Granolas
Or, you could also purchase some hemp seed oil, which has a beautiful nutty taste. The oil is packed with fatty acids and amino acids, which are fantastic for your overall health, as well as your skin. Simply use the oil as a replacement to olive oil for an amazing health boost – just be sure that you don’t cook with it, as hemp seed oil is a volatile oil, meaning that it should never be heated.
If you would prefer to go for CBD supplements, then capsules tend to be the easiest. Oils are also useful, as they can be applied with a dropper directly underneath the tongue, meaning that they are then absorbed straight into the bloodstream. However, there is no set guideline in terms of dosage – everybody is a little different. This means that it takes a bit of trial and error to find the strength that works best for you.
Thanks to all of the new science out there, it would seem as though CBD and hemp skincare products really do live up to the hype. Yes, there are other ingredients that can offer similar results, but combining all of these together will then give you the ultimate weapon when it comes to dealing with a variety of different skin issues.
