Cannabidiol, or CBD, is taking the cannabis industry by storm. Since its rise to fame late last summer with the success of the now-famous Sanjay Gupta ABC News special "Weed," CBD has been doing the rounds in every major media outlet nationwide.
The cannabinoid is showing up everywhere these days - from skin care products that tout its restorative power to pet treats that claim to ease symptoms of seizures for our furry friends.
But what exactly can CBD do for skin? And how does it work? Here's everything you need to know about using cannabinoids for beautiful and healthy skin:
What Is Cannabidiol (CBD)? What Does It Do?
Cannabidiol is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in industrial hemp, or cannabis with less than 1 percent THC. It's the most abundant cannabinoid discovered to date and one of over 60 cannabinoids presently identified in unadulterated hemp extracts.
- WHY USE CBD FOR SKIN CARE?
You're probably wondering why ingesting CBD to improve your skin is advantageous over other kinds of products, like topicals. The reason being that cannabidiol can be absorbed into the system quite quickly, unlike other botanical extracts.
Cannabinoid CBD has quite a few wellness benefits which are reaching well beyond its psychoactive effects. It's often used in pain management therapies because it inhibits neurotransmitter release in the brain when needed to help manage pain.
But one really exciting area where CBD shines is skin rejuvenation!
HOW DOES IT HELP WITH SKIN PROBLEMS?
Cannabidiol extracts typically contain anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants, both of which can help protect your skin from free radicals.
CBD is known to heal the skin by speeding up the regeneration process and protecting against UV damage as well as fighting off bacterial infections!
People struggling with eczema and psoriasis, for example, also experience a reduction in inflammation and faster cell turnover. CBD's anti-inflammatory properties can help reduce redness and irritation associated with these conditions . It helps promote healthy cellular regeneration, making it an effective way of preventing acne .
- BUILD A CBD SKIN CARE ROUTINE:
Before you start trying out different products, begin with a simple regimen that will work best for you. Here are just a few ideas to get you started:
- Apply hemp oil or pure CBD extract at night before bed. Massage it into your skin and leave it overnight to get its full benefits if you lack time during the day.
- Mix CBD oil with your regular face cream for daily use! Just add a few drops of cannabidiol extract to your moisturizer for immediate results like reduced inflammation, even skin tone, and healthy cells
- ESSENTIAL OILS + HEMP SEED OIL
CBD can be mixed in with carrier oils (like hemp seed oil) or essential oils to provide relief from dryness, sunburns, rashes, acne breakouts , and more.
There are quite a few ways you can benefit from mixing CBD oil with other types of products:
-Add a few drops to your moisturizer, shower gel or shampoo. You'll get all of the benefits you would from using them normally and more!
-Mix with coconut oil for an antioxidant rich face cream that's perfect for daily use. Rub some on your hands and elbows for supple skin, blend it with Shea butter to soothe irritated patches on your body, or use it as hair mask pack overnight before rinsing in the morning. The possibilities are endless !
- CBD FACE CREAM FOR BODY USE:
When applying a CBD lotion, don't forget about your whole body! It can also be used on rough areas like elbows and knees which dry out easily. After a shower is the best time to apply it because the skin has been softened by hot water. This will make it easier for your skin to absorb the extract evenly.
- CBD BODY PRODUCTS:
CBD body care products such as soaps and shower gels, serums or lotions can be used in combination with the face cream you've already started using! Just add a few drops of CBD oil to get an extra moisturizing effect which reduces redness and irritation of the skin.
A good way of increasing your daily hydration levels and creating a protective layer against sun damage is by adding hemp seed oil to your bathwater . It's easy - just run some warm water and pour in 5-7 drops! Make sure the water isn't too hot though to avoid burning your skin.
HOW TO USE CBD FOR ACNE?
Acne breakouts can be incredibly frustrating especially when they keep coming back! You might've been told that all you need is a good face wash and to stay away from greasy foods, but this isn't always going to help in reducing inflammation.
Here's where CBD oil comes in. It reduces redness on the skin by fighting off bacteria, speeding up cell turnover and minimizing pore blockage. Those who suffer from acne tend to have high levels of inflammation which stimulates sebum production (this is what causes pimples!). Cannabidiol lowers these inflammatory markers which in smaller pores, reduced risk of breakouts and unclogs pores!