CBD For Facial Skincare - What is this new "Golden Oil?"
The loosening of cannabis laws and an influx of new studies have made CBD-infused products very popular. From medicine to chocolate, you will find it everywhere. Deemed safe by the World Health Organization, nowadays CBD has also turned into a wellness and beauty staple.
The CBD skincare market is estimated to reach a value of $1.7 billion by 2025. This trendy ingredient can be incorporated into every step of your skincare routine. But how does it help the skin? Is it just a buzz or does it live up to its reputation? How can it benefit your skin? Worry not, we’re here to help you answer all these questions.
How does CBD help your skin?
Chances are you’re already familiar with CBD, but just in case, here’s a quick recap: CBD stands for cannabidiol and is one of the 80 known cannabinoids in the Cannabis Sativa plant. CBD doesn’t have any psychoactive effects, so no, it won’t get you high - that’s THC.
The skin works with the endocannabinoid system (ECS). A system that plays a key role in maintaining well-balanced and healthy skin. The ECS is made up of three main components:
- Endocannabinoids: They are similar to the compounds found in the cannabis plant, such as CBD and THC.
- Cannabinoid receptors: These receptors are found in the surface cells in different organs, including the skin. Endocannabinoids bind themselves to the receptors, which helps maintain our organs in a healthy balance. Two of the main cannabinoid receptors are CB1 and CB2.
- Enzymes: Enzymes work to break down endocannabinoids after they’ve served their purpose.
The root cause of many skin problems is some kind of ECS imbalance. An ECS imbalance may lead to common skin issues, like acne, psoriasis, hair growth disorder, and others. CBD can potentially help restore the ECS balance. As a cannabinoid, CBD binds itself to the CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors.
That’s how CBD-infused skincare products work - they may help restore your skin’s natural balance.
If you wish to learn more about how the ECS works, check out our article: Introduction to the Endocannabinoid System.
The benefits of CBD on the skin
It’s important to note that more research is needed to fully understand the effects of CBD on the skin. However, studies so far have shown promising results.
Here’s what the research says on how CBD can benefit the skin:
Anti-inflammatory properties
Packed with anti-inflammatory properties, CBD has shown potential as a promising treatment of acne vulgaris, psoriasis, and dermatitis. In this context, CBD may help reduce some of the symptoms that come with these skin conditions, such as swelling, pain, itching, and redness.
Regulates oil production
A 2014 study found that CBD acts as an effective sebostatic agent. The sebaceous glands are responsible for oil production. And the overproduction of oil in the sebaceous glands is one of the causes of acne vulgaris. This property of CBD has shown promising results in helping inhibit and regulate the oil production of the sebaceous glands.
In contrast, as a sebostatic agent, CBD can also stimulate sebum production. In this case, CBD may be effective in helping hydrate dry skin. Ultimately, it helps balance out sebum production and may help decrease or increase production depending on your skin’s needs.
Powerful antioxidant
Being an antioxidant is another beneficial pharmacological effect of CBD. Antioxidants are produced by our cells to help fight free radicals that can damage healthy skin cells and cause oxidative stress.
Many everyday factors (stress, smog, prolonged sun exposure, etc.) can disturb the oxidative balance of the skin. According to a recent study, long-term exposure to these factors causes the skin to lose its elasticity, strength, flexibility, and hydration. That’s how oxidative stress leads to the appearance of wrinkles and hinders the skin’s self-regenerative ability.
In this case, the skin needs the support of antioxidants to restore its oxidative balance.
According to a study published in 1998, CBD has more antioxidant properties than even Vitamin C or Vitamin E. And a 2021 study demonstrated promising results on the usage of CBD to counter the skin aging process. As an antioxidant, CBD may help reinstate the skin’s oxidative balance, slowing down the skin aging process.
If you want to test out CBD’s anti-aging benefits for yourself, consider trying our Golden Oil - an Anti-Aging Facial Oil with 200mg of CBD.
It is designed to help hydrate, nourish, and restore your skin for a healthy and glowing complexion. Plus, it's all-natural, third-party tested, and completely THC-free.
How CBD works in skincare products
There are two common ways people take CBD: through oral products and topical application. What you use depends on your needs. When you consume CBD orally, CBD first enters your stomach and then your bloodstream. From there it accesses the ECS. You feel the effects of it throughout your body.
When applied topically to the skin, CBD is absorbed by the skin and interacts with the cannabinoid receptors on skin cells. The effects of topical CBD are typically more concentrated on the area of application.
Most CBD-infused skincare products are applied topically.
You can find products for every part of your facial skincare routine - from cleansers to moisturizers. You use them as you normally would similar products. For specific instructions, always read the instructions on the package.
How to incorporate CBD in your skincare routine
As we mentioned, you can find CBD products for every part of your skincare routine. So, it can be a bit overwhelming starting up. We have a few tips to help with it.
1. Patch test it first
Whenever you add a new product to your skincare routine it’s important to patch test it first. This means that you first try it on a small area of your skin, for example on the inside of your wrist. Then, see how your skin reacts to it. Even though CBD is known for its soothing properties, certain CBD products come packed with other ingredients. And it’s best to first see how your skin reacts to it before applying it all over.
2. Start small
Before you go on a CBD shopping spree, keep in mind that it’s best to start small. Start by introducing one new product to your skincare routine at a time. This way you are giving your skin time to get accustomed to the new active ingredient. Also, this way you can notice the results of that specific product.
3. Give it some time
Don’t expect to see overnight results. It takes a few weeks for your skin to get used to the new product and for the product to properly nourish your skin and give you the desired results. Give it a few weeks before you decide whether the product works for you or not. Of course, if you notice a skin irritation you should immediately stop using it and consult with your doctor (that’s why we recommend the patch test first!).
What to look for in a CBD skincare product
You’ve decided you want to give CBD skincare products a try. Great! But how can you choose the right product? There is a myriad of brands to choose from, so it can be a bit overwhelming. Do you want CBD isolate or full-spectrum? So many variables to consider.
We’re here to simplify it for you:
Understand the labels
Not all CBD is created equal. CBD-infused products are formulated using either broad-spectrum CBD oil, full-spectrum CBD, or CBD isolate. Understanding these labels will help you choose the product that best satisfies your needs.
Here’s what each spectrum label means:
- Full-spectrum CBD: Contains a small number of other compounds of the cannabis plant, such as terpenes and cannabinoids. One of the cannabinoids that it contains besides CBD is THC. The amount of THC is usually less than 0.3 percent. It must be noted that such small traces of THC will not produce the “high” feeling.
- Broad-spectrum CBD: This type of CBD contains other terpenes and cannabinoids, but does not contain THC.
- CBD isolate: Pure CBD oil. No other plant compounds are found.
CBD isolate will allow you to experience the pure health benefits of CBD without interference from other cannabis compounds. First-time CBD users might feel more comfortable with a pure CBD skincare product.
Check for quality
When it comes to choosing the right CBD product for your skin, quality is of primary importance. How can you tell if the CBD product you’re buying is of the highest quality? Especially since according to a 2017 study, over 60% of CBD products are not labeled accurately.
To ensure that you are buying from a trusted brand, check if they accompany their products with a quality certificate issued by a third-party independent lab. The certificate should look something like this. It shows the number of different cannabinoids in the CBD product. This document serves to verify the accuracy of the product label. So, you can trust that the brand you’re buying from is transparent and trustworthy.
We hope that now you feel more comfortable venturing into the world of CBD facial skincare.
Here at Wellness Garden Medicinals, we have third-party tested CBD facial skincare products. If you’re interested in an all-natural CBD facial oil that may hydrate and inhibit the sign of wrinkles on your skin, check out our Anti-Aging Facial Oil.
