CBD has been making waves lately with CBD oil-infused products hitting the top beauty blog lists like on the platform dedicated to all things beauty, Allure, and frequently trending at beauty industry giant, Sephora, season after season! Some of today’s biggest names in beauty and skin care like Peter Thomas Roth, Milk, Josie Maran, Herbivore and NYX are even dedicating new product lines to this marijuana plant-based ingredient. But what exactly is CBD, and how can it be used for your own beauty and skin care regimen?
What is CBD?
CBD, short for cannabidiol, is one of the many naturally occurring compounds (cannabinoids) found in marijuana or hemp plants. Unlike THC (tetrahydracannabinol), which is the active ingredient in cannabis that allows users to experience cerebral head highs, CBD is non-psychoactive, meaning it does not give users that head high that is so often associated with marijuana. Rather, CBD is non-intoxicating, and while it does not have any mind-altering effects, it does offer a range of other effects that can be useful for medical usage, such as treating chronic pains and mood disorders. More recently, it has found a new domain of popularity that many are excited about: beauty and skin care!
What is CBD oil?
CBD oil is produced when the cannabinoid is stripped and extracted from the flowers or leaves of cannabis indica and sativa plants, and then stored as the concentrated form of oil. Different strains or breeds can yield different CBD profiles. CBD can be commonly confused with hemp seed oil; while hemp seed oil is also a derivative of cannabis plants, it is only extracted from cannabis sativa plants in particular and actually does not contain CBD. A further difference is that hemp seed oil contains little to no THC content. While hemp seed oil is great for skin hydration, CBD has a range of other skin care benefits and is often more effective. That being said, CBD concentrates can be mixed with hemp seed oil, as well as olive oil or coconut oil as an infused base and to target different skin concerns or types.
What are the benefits of CBD for skin care?
Acne, Redness and Irritation
CBD has anti-inflammatory properties with many studies showing it is highly effective on acne-prone skin. It helps reduce breakouts, redness, and provides soothing and calmness to the skin. It also aids in regulating the skin’s oil as it decreases sebum production, so would be helpful for those prone to excessively oily skin.
Dryness, Eczema, Psoriasis
The same anti-inflammatory properties in CBD alleviate dry skin, eczema and psoriasis along with its associated pains. Because hemp seed oil is rich in omega-6 acids, it is a good match when mixed with CBD oil to treat and nourish irritated skin while maintaining moisture.
Anti-Aging and Brightening
CBD is also a powerful anti-aging compound as it is rich with antioxidants, aiding in diminishing wrinkles and dullness. Antioxidants help stabilize molecules prone to damage, and CBD further helps counteract such damage from free radicals, which are unstable molecules that build up and damage the skin over time. This anti-aging backed by its skin nourishment and moisturization all comes together to promote the youthfulness and appearance of healthy skin.
How can it be used?
CBD oils can be taken topically and directly on the skin with a dropper. While there is a wide variety of popular CBD-infused products already available on the market, you can create your own CBD-infused product and make it part of your daily routine by mixing CBD oil with any of your other favourite beauty and skin care products that you already have at home!
Products already containing retinol and vitamin C are ideal as they are proven anti-aging agents, so if you already have a go-to serum, sunscreen, or moisturizer that are rich with these ingredients, you can further supplement and enhance the effects by infusing with your choice of CBD oil!
For fans of face masks or natural cleansers, products like Mary’s Medibles CBD Honey Tears, which contains only pure CBD and Manuka honey, would be the perfect CBD product to infuse with a night time mask or morning face cleanse as honey is rich in antioxidants, is a natural skin protectant, and it opens up and cleanses pores!
How do I know which CBD oil to use?
CBD oils are available in three different forms:
- CBD isolates: These are the purest form of CBD concentrates, as they contain no other cannabinoids or active cannabis compounds such as flavonoids (primarily responsible for plant colouration, though also posses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties) or terpenes (aromatic oils of the cannabis plant).
- Full spectrum CBD: Full spectrum oils like Miss Envy’s CBD Rick Simpson Oil contain all naturally occurring ingredients or phytochemicals in the cannabis plant from extraction, like terpenes and other cannabinoids, so they often include traces of THC.
- Broad spectrum CBD: Like the above, broad spectrum oils still contain the full spectrum of cannabinoids but do not contain any traces of THC.
For a daily skincare regimen, a pure CBD isolate to infuse with your other natural, fragrance-free beauty products is always a safe choice! If you are looking for a bit of an aromatic kick, the broad spectrum CBD which contain terpenes and essential oils will add some flavour to beauty products that need a little extra oomph! If there are other uses for cannabinoids that you are interested in trying out beyond skin care, perhaps the full spectrum concentrates are more up your alley. To determine which CBD oil type works best for you, it all really depends on your unique skin type and the skin care concerns you have!
Is CBD safe to use?
Absolutely. The legalization marijauna throughout North America has allowed for more studies on the compound, and as more research is being done on CBD, more benefits to the cannabinoid are being found and its safety is being attested to by health care professionals and scientific researchers at a growing rate. That being said, those with liver disease ought to consult with their doctor due to CBD affecting enzyme levels. Those pregnant and breastfeeding should also avoid usage due to potential effects on baby development. Side effects for general usage may include dry mouth, nausea and vomiting, though severity can vary between each person. Of course, products readily available on the market would have undergone tests for safety and usage, though it is still always best to be safe and do your research in order to see which types of CBD oils would work best for you and your skin’s needs!