Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a popular ingredient in skin care products today. It’s found in CBD-infused skin care products such as oil, sunscreens, masks, moisturizers, lip balms, and sunscreens.
But does the hype surrounding CBD have merits, or is this just another fad?
The Proposed Benefits of CBD Skin Care Products
What is CBD?
CBD is a chemical compound in hemp, marijuana, and other cannabis plants. It’s one of the main ingredients of cannabis, along with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). However, unlike THC, cannabidiol is non-psychoactive and doesn’t make you feel high.
Some of the claimed benefits of CBD when ingested include:
- Alleviates anxiety
- Reduces pain and chronic inflammation
- Helps cope with insomnia
- Eases childhood epilepsy
- Prevents cognitive decline due to Alzheimer’s disease
Today, CBD exists not only in edibles, oils, tablets, capsules, and tinctures but also in skin care products. 
In 2019 the global CBD skin care market was valued at $689.9 million, according to Grand View Research. It is expected that by 2025, the industry will hit a value of $1.7 billion.
Many studies on CBD usage and benefits are still in the early stages. However, a few of them have shown some promise.
Below are some potential benefits of CBD skin-care products:
Possibly Plays a Role in Treating Acne
When hair follicles under the skin get blocked, it leads to the development of acne. Sebum, an oily, waxy material secreted by the skin’s sebaceous glands, can cause acne if it is produced in excess. This oil, which helps prevent skin drying, causes lesions called pimples or zits.
According to a 2017 review published in the Pharmacology & Therapeutics journal, one of CBD’s most well-known advantages is its capacity to reduce inflammation.
Although it is typically sold as a topical ointment to treat arthritic joints and sore muscles, the same anti-inflammatory benefits can also be used to treat acne.
This claim is supported by a 2014 Journal of Clinical Investigation study, which observed CBD’s efficiency in lowering sebum production in people. Researchers discovered that CBD had “amazing” antimicrobial activity.
It May Decrease Inflammation From Sunburns
Sunburns appear if you stay too long under direct sun. Sunburned skin is often inflamed and painful to touch. Our skin reacts this way when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
CBD has strong anti-inflammatory properties that effectively suppress the body’s inflammatory response, hence reducing inflammation and pain, says a 2010 study.
Preclinical research is currently examining how cannabinoids like CBD affect inflammatory skin conditions. After all, the endocannabinoid system, an extensive regulatory network that reacts to cannabinoids, modulates the delicate environment of our skin.
Potentially Helps Eczema and Psoriasis
Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a disorder that results in dry, itchy, and inflammatory skin. This medical condition is persistent and occasionally flares up. Although it is not contagious, it can be unpleasant.
Cannabidiol lotions may help relieve eczema symptoms like dry, itchy skin, according to a few modest trials.
The initial data also points to CBD’s antibacterial properties and ability to fight Staphylococcus aureus. This bacterium frequently causes eczema flare-ups by infecting people with it and producing flare-ups.
Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory condition that occurs when the immune system’s infection-fighting cells mistakenly attack healthy skin cells. It is not contagious and is believed to be caused by genetics and environmental factors.
A small study found that CBD-enriched skin ointment can reduce inflammation brought on by skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. The study also found that the CBD ointment did not cause any allergic reaction or irritation.
What Scientific Evidence Doesn’t Yet Tell Us About CBD for Skin Care
Many initial studies about CBD skin care are still inconclusive because they haven’t gone through trials with large samples. Hence, while it claims many benefits, those should be taken with a grain of salt.
Furthermore, plenty of skin care products already provide CBD benefits. Many skin care products that prevent inflammation are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which means they are safe to use.
Meanwhile, the FDA hasn’t prohibited using hemp or CBD in cosmetics. The agency still hasn’t deemed the permissibility of the many claims of CBD products. As such, the consumer must do some research to ensure their safety. Before regularly using a CBD topical product, read the ingredients and test it on a small skin patch.
The ideal dose of CBD for treating skin conditions
While the science-backed advantages of CBD for skin may be becoming more apparent, figuring out how much CBD you need for skincare might be more difficult.
This situation is partly because the FDA still doesn’t regulate the amount of CBD allowed in skin care. Hence, CBD skincare brands need to educate buyers on how they formulate their products.
As a rule of thumb, the bigger a CBD product, the more likely the manufacturer has to use a higher amount of CBD to make it effective. Right now, the ideal dose is between 30 to 30 mg, depending on the type of CBD skin care product.
Hence, it’s best to follow the dosage prescribed by the manufacturer, which should be written on the skin care product’s packaging.
