Guest post by Amelia Noble
You’ve probably heard about people using CBD for health and wellness benefits, from curbing anxiety to relieving pain. And now CBD seems to be the latest sensation in skincare. Beauty products laced with CBD are popping up everywhere but is there any value to CBD in skincare?
If you’ve been curious about how CBD works in skincare and if there are any beauty benefits of CBD, read on to see what the buzz is all about!
What You Need to Know About CBD
CBD has somewhat of an air of mystery. Related to marijuana, CBD might seem taboo to some. But it’s legal to use in most states and recognized for its safety and therapeutic properties.
Short for cannabidiol, CBD is a cannabinoid that comes from the cannabis plant. There are more than 100 cannabinoids, but CBD and THC are the most well known.
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Can CBD make you feel high?
Nope! CBD is not psychoactive, so you’re not going to get high from CBD products, especially not CBD beauty products. Only one compound in weed gets you high, and that’s THC or tetrahydrocannabinol. Any of the stereotypes associated with smoking weed do not apply when it comes to CBD.
Cannabinoids in general may offer health benefits, and overall have a calming physical and mental effect, though they aren’t all the same. THC and CBD may both be derived from the same plant, but they affect your body completely differently, with only THC delivering psychoactive effects for a euphoric high. CBD doesn’t have the same effects, with more therapeutic properties.
CBD typically comes from industrial hemp (which has only trace amounts of THC) whereas THC comes from marijuana plants which typically vary in CBD level.
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While an association with marijuana might make some users nervous about CBD, the cannabinoid is overall very safe. According to the World Health Organization, CBD is well tolerated, has a good safety profile and minimal side effects. Generally, any potential side effects are associated with drug interactions when users ingest CBD, so topical application of CBD shouldn’t be a safety concern. In fact, research has shown that CBD beauty and skincare products are practically safe to use with no unwanted side effects or irritation.
Industrial hemp, which is what most CBD products come from, is legal at the federal level. Each state can set their own laws for whether hemp products including CBD are legal, but CBD is overall legal in most states. States with legalized marijuana have typically legalized CBD use as well, but legal CBD isn’t limited to those states. Most people in the United States can use CBD legally, but it’s always a good idea to double check and make sure CBD is legal in your state.
Why CBD is a Skincare Wonder
CBD’s calming and anti-inflammatory properties are what make it so effective in skincare. Inflammation is the root cause of many skincare concerns and CBD can treat it. It’s also packed with antioxidants, so it helps fight free radicals that can cause signs of aging.
CBD oil is moisturizing, and CBD’s antioxidants can be an effective anti-aging tool. It can cut down on oxidative stress, and it offers vitamins A, D and E along with amino acids and essential fatty acids.
Basically, CBD can be used for relieving inflammation, provide antioxidant boost and anti-aging benefits. CBD can also be used for serious skin conditions affected by inflammation, which include eczema or psoriasis.
With its calming properties, CBD may offer better skin balance, particularly for people who deal with acne. It could also help you manage overactive oil production, or balance out dry or combination skin.
Beyond beauty, CBD can offer pain relief. Delivered topically, CBD can ease the pain of inflamed skin and even offer relief for sore muscles and joints.
How to Use CBD for Skincare
In skincare, CBD is typically applied topically. It’s available in a variety of products such as balms, salves, skin creams, and lotions. Now there’s a CBD version of most beauty products, so if you’re planning to upgrade anything in your beauty routine, you might look for a CBD option for an extra boost. Check out CBD skincare at Sephora to get started!
There’s nothing special you need to do with CBD products, compared to their traditional versions. You can simply apply them as you would with the regular beauty product, such as gently rubbing lotion into your skin, and enjoy the added moisture antioxidants, and inflammatory relief CBD can offer.
Amelia Noble is a researcher with the CBD Awareness Project. When she’s not working, you can find her playing board games.
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