One-third of Americans report using alternative medicine to treat pain, improve their overall health, and relieve stress.
With a market value projected to hit $22 billion by 2022, CBD is a popular alternative treatment for all of the above. When it comes to the largest organ of your body, the CBD skin benefits are many.
An option for people of all skin types, topical CBD works differently than CBD oil or tinctures that are ingested. But whether you’re looking to treat pain or a particular skin condition, applying CBD topically might bring the relief you’re looking for.
We’ve gathered the top 7 benefits of CBD for your skin. But first, we’ll tell you exactly how it works. Keep reading to learn more.
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How Does CBD Oil for Skin Work?
Your endocannabinoid system is made up of chemical messengers called cannabinoids and their receptors. The purpose of the system is to create homeostasis or balance, in all aspects of your physiology. It has an influence on appetite, mood, sleep, memory, and even pain.
Your body naturally produces its own cannabinoids. But cannabinoids that come from outside of the body can also have an effect on our endocannabinoid receptors. And this is how CBD works in the human system to bring a host of benefits.
CBD is one of the 100s of cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. When we use cannabis topicals, CBD is absorbed through our pores, where it enters our bloodstream and binds with our endocannabinoid receptors.
Once there, CBD can work in one of two ways. CBD both addresses what you lack and regulates excess. If you lack hydration but produce excessive oil, CBD helps to keep your skin moisturized and balance sebum production.
That ability is what makes CBD the perfect skin ingredient regardless of skin type. The CBD skin benefits extend to dry, oily, combination, and mature skin.
But even more than that, there are no inherent side effects of using CBD – besides clearer, more radiant, better-looking skin. If you have a reaction to a CBD topical, it’s likely the result of another ingredient. But considering reputable CBD topicals are made with organic and natural ingredients your skin will love, you’re unlikely to have any issues using CBD on your skin.
7 CBD Skin Benefits
As the CBD industry grows, more research is conducted into its various benefits for our health and well being. But below we’ve listed 7 of the best-known CBD skin benefits and tell you how this ingredient will transform your skin care regime.
1. Anti-Inflammatory
In the US, 54 million adults suffer from a rheumatic disease, including arthritis. Arthritis causes pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility in the joints. These symptoms worsen over time and become severe.
But CBD is a potent anti-inflammatory that can alleviate the symptoms of arthritis, and other conditions like it. Used topically, CBD decreases joint inflammation and also protects the nerves. It can reduce swelling, irritation, and pain.
These anti-inflammatory properties are also beneficial for people suffering from rosacea, eczema, and psoriasis.
2. Acne Fighting
Pimples, blemishes, breakouts, and acne, are typically caused by the overproduction of sebum (aka oil). When your sebaceous glands produce too much oil, your pores get clogged and you get pimples. But CBD cleansers and moisturizes clear out your pores of built-up dirt and oil and also balance sebum production.
3. Anti-Aging
Beyond its effects as a cannabinoid, CBD is also full of vitamins and nutrients. Three vitamins it contains are particularly beneficial for mature skin. These are vitamins A, C, and E.
Vitamin A helps your skin produce skin-building compounds that restore your skin’s firmness. Vitamin C promotes the production of collagen, which effects fine lines, wrinkles, and skin elasticity. And vitamin E is a potent antioxidant that protects your skin from free radicals and slows down the aging process.
4. Anti-Oxidants
But anti-oxidants are beneficial for people of all ages, and CBD is packed full of them.
Free radicals are molecules in the environment that come from pollution, cigarette smoke, and a number of other things you’re exposed to when you go outside. Anti-oxidants neutralize free radicals. And some anti-oxidants even brighten skin, improve skin texture, and calm irritation.
5. Hydration
Dry, dehydrated skin can lead to all kinds of skin problems, including acne, fine lines, wrinkles, loss of elasticity, and loss of radiance. CBD topicals contain moisturizing fatty acids such as omega-6 and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA).
These fatty acids are ultra-hydrating, even for the dryest skin. Plus, they won’t clog pores while they moisturize.
6. Relief of Aches and Pains
When you ingest CBD, it’s metabolized by your digestive system and the benefits are spread through your body for a generalized effect. But when you use CBD topically, it has a localized effect. Meaning that it’s an efficient way to alleviate pain in a localized area.
A topical CBD cream or lotion can be effective on bone and joint pain as well as muscle aches and soreness.
7. Treat Minor Skin Conditions
CBD skin benefits even cover mild skin irritations. You can use it to treat sunburn, bug bites, scratches, abrasions, and even stretch marks.
Will CBD Topicals Make You High?
Among the many cannabinoids in the cannabis plant are CBD and THC. THC is the psychoactive cannabinoid that’s responsible for getting you high. CBD, on the other hand, is a non-psychoactive compound that doesn’t produce any kind of high.
Using CBD on your skin carries no side effects, including any chance that it will get you high. CBD is considered safe and effective and hemp-based CBD products are legal in all 50 states.
More Health News and Info
CBD skin benefits range from treating minor conditions like sunburns to providing relief for eczema, psoriasis, and even arthritis. Packed with vitamins, anti-oxidants, and fatty acids, it’s a potent ingredient for anti-aging, dry skin, and acne-prone skin. With no side effects except rejuvenated skin, CBD is taking the skincare world by storm.
Your skin is only one part of your overall health. For more news and information related to your wellbeing, check out our blog.
