CBD in skin care? Of course!

With the skyrocketing growth of CBD (Cannabidiol) being found in the topical product market, it is no surprise that it is a fast-growing segment in beauty and skin care, too. In fact, Sephora’s recent announcement of their expectations for CBD-based items in their stores only goes to cement the plant compound’s place in lifestyle and beauty products. 

As with many subjects, there are still studies being executed throughout the world on what CBD can mean for the skin and beauty results, but many have already begun to showcase what it can potentially do.

To understand what it can do, it is important to know more about the skin itself. 

The skin is the largest organ of the human body. This layered sheet of cells is the first line of defense against all of the assaults the environment may bring. It regulates our temperature. It protects us. It notifies us. Most times we are not paying attention to all that it is doing - that is, until it is obviously angry with inflammation, cracks and redness. 

Being the barrier between the environment and the interior organs, the skin is in constant contact with pollution and the damaging rays of the sun. That doesn’t include everything we’ve done to it over the years and - well - time, itself. All of these factors combined contribute to the fine lines, wrinkles, age spots and other skin issues that we are looking for solutions for. 

It is no wonder that the market size for Beauty and Personal Care in the United States is projected to reach over $700M by 2025. In fact, human beings have been trying out many different ways to stay on the supple side of time since ancient Egypt. These days, millions of dollars are spent by consumers every year in the race to find the right fit for their dermal layers. 

Part of how our skin ages has to do with our DNA and how we care for our internal bodies. Another major part of the aging we witness is largely due to “oxidative stress caused by UV irradiation”. (4)

That dreaded Ultraviolet radiation. The natural energy produced by the sun comes with both UVA and UVB light. Along with pollution, environment and lifestyle, attacks on the skin begin to damage the precious skin cells. Of course, this includes the issues and how they compound upon each other and make it harder to fight the resulting signs left behind.

While the skin does have some natural defenses against these stressors, exposure and time beat down those walls, leaving everyone vulnerable. 

Over the years, new innovations in compounds and ingredients have been formulated, researched, tried and improved upon. And, now that CBD has been formulated into everything from capsules to pet treats, it should be of no surprise that skin care would be next.

As many already know, CBD is the acronym for Cannabidiol, one of over 100 identified phytocannabinoids found inside the cannabis sativa genus of plants. Most commonly - in the United States - much of the CBD in products found is sourced from hemp. Hemp-derived CBD is federally legal and free of psychoactive results. In the growing options of CBD-infused skin care products, like those at ULTA and Sephora, these are formulated with hemp-derived CBD. 

When the hemp plants are harvested, the compounds (like CBD) are extracted, and this is the basis of the products that consumers are trying, today. But how does CBD help the skin?

According to the Department of Analytical Chemistry, Medical University of Bialystok, Poland, CBD is “one of the natural compounds that can support the skin’s antioxidant system” and, like other antioxidants, it “interferes with the free-radical chain reactions.”  

The CBD interacts through the various endocannabinoid receptors that are found in the skin and binds to them, helping with the task at hand. Having antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, the CBD cannabinoid was also shown to be “a stronger antioxidant than a-tocopherol (Vitamin E) and ascorbic acid (vitamin C).” (1)

It is the high levels of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory power that precisely has skin care lines scrambling to add this ingredient. A study that had several medical departments in Hungary working together found CBD to be effective in treating skin that was enduring bouts of severe acne. Stating that “CBD exerted complex anti-acne effects” and that it had been shown to “alleviate inflammation”. (3)

These endeavors are just the tip of the information available. Surgical specialists in Italy came to the conclusion that “the topical administration of CBD ointment, without any THC, is a safe and effective non-invasive alternative for improving the quality of life in patients with some skin disorders.” 

The physicians involved took three months to research and record. Once completed, the skin was evaluated and the medical professionals found that “skin parameters significantly improved in all the patients” including areas of decreased inflammation, increased hydration and the skin’s elasticity. (2)

By reducing inflammation and repairing the oxidative and UV damage, the skin can stay in balance. That delicate homeostasis is essential to care for, and regulate, the fibers within so that the skin can remain the force it has to be. 

As the CBD market continues to flourish, and new research is made available to the public, the possibility of Cannabidiol being found in a larger share of the beauty space is more than likely. While it may seem that many products currently on the shelves are individualized contributors, it would not be surprising to see complete skin-care routines, soon.

Stephanie Johnson is a writer and researcher in Dallas, Texas who specializes in CBD, Beauty and Breast Cancer Survivorship. A licensed cosmetologist and trained cosmetology educator, she has coupled her over 15 years of media and journalism experience with extensive training in the beauty space to be able to provide quality understanding of these specialty industries. A breast cancer survivor, her experience in Cannabis-based lifestyle and wellness began with her fight and never left her life. She has two grown sons and enjoys exploring the world around her with her husband and her neurotic dog. www.SinceDay3.com

References:

1. Jastrzab, Anna (2019) Cannabidiol Regulates the Expression of Keratinocyte Proteins Involved in the Inflammation Process through Transcriptional Regulation. Department of Analytical Chemistry, Medical University of Bialystok, Poland.
2. Palmieri, B (2019) A Therapeutic Effect of CBD-Enriched Ointment in Inflammatory Skin Diseases and Cutaneous Scars.Department of General Surgery and Surgical Specialities, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia Medical Schools and Surgical Clinic.
3. Olah, A. (2016) Differential Effectiveness of Selected Non-Psyhotropic Phytocannabinoids on Human Sebocyte Functions Implicates their Introduction in Dry/Seborrhoeic Skin and Acne Treatment.Cellular Physiology Research Group, Department of Physiology, Debrecen, Hungary; GW Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, UK; Departments of Dermatology, Venereology, Allergology and Immunology, Dessau Medical Center, Germany; Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Hungary.
4. Breitenbach, Michael (2015) Oxidative Stress in Aging Human Skin.Department of Cell Biology, Division of Genetics, University of Salzburg, Austria.