CBD is helpful to healthy skin because some imbalance is usually the root cause of most skin problems. There is still extensive research outstanding, but here is what we know about CBD and skin right now:
Acne. Hormones mainly cause acne, but CBD helps fight the inflammation related to acne’s redness and swelling and helps normalize skin.
Inflammation. Transdermal CBD reduces pain and inflammation in rats, making it a treatment for skin issues such as rosacea, eczema, and psoriasis.
Itching. CBD can block itching in the nerve endings and has been shown to help chronic, treatment-resistant itching.
Scarring. CBD may improve scarring, according to one study of scar tissue patients.
CBD Skin Care Benefits
CBD has lots of potential skincare benefits:
Reduce signs of ageing. Antioxidants like vitamin E or vitamin C treat dryness, free radical damage, and inflammation, so you can expect CBD products to do that, too. That includes signs of ageing, such as fine lines, dark spots, and wrinkles.
Balance complexion. CBD helps the ECS in the skin stay in balance, meaning enough hydration and no excess oil, so no more oily T-zone or patchy spots.
Soothe skin. Topical CBD products can soothe itching, dryness, and red skin thanks to this cannabinoid’s anti-inflammatory qualities.
What is CBD Cream?
Since the Farm Bill legalized CBD products derived from hemp at the federal level in 2018, CBD topicals have been the work of the Food and Drug Administration FDA. This doesn’t mean there’s a regulated market out there, however.
CBD-infused topicals include creams, balms, salves, lotions, and transdermal patches. They are designed to be applied directly to the skin for surface level relief, or in some cases for more profound muscle level pain relief, or even for things like relaxation or sleep.
Anything called CBD cream is just a cream-based topical infused with CBD. Most high-quality health and beauty creams are about half oil and half water to preserve moisture in the skin. Some CBD topicals might also include other minor cannabinoids, other terpenes, or even other ingredients to help the skin, such as vitamin E or aloe.
Much of the difference among CBD topicals such as salves, creams, balms, and lotions lies in consistency, fragrance, other ingredients—and user preference. Since creams are thicker, especially those with high-fat content and emollient qualities might help dry skin sufferers and those with itchy skin conditions. Balms and salves are made with wax and oil, making them absorb more slowly and work well for massing into muscles for chronic pain. Roll-on tinctures offer yet another possibility for THC-free joint pain relief. Learn more in our roundup of the best CBD creams for pain relief.
How to Use CBD Cream
One of the most appealing things about CBD topicals is how easy it is to get started with them. Then, after identifying the source of discomfort, pain, or the other issue, the user can apply the topical as needed like they would a lotion.
Indeed, using topical CBD creams is not the same as using lotion, in that it’s essential to know how many milligrams are in the CBD body lotion to use it properly. In addition, a low dose topical may be less effective than one with higher concentrations of CBD.
However, as always, it’s wise to start with a low viable dosage. From there, gradually increase how much CBD cream you use until your therapeutic dose seems optimal. There are no known side effects to worry about with topical infused hemp-derived CBD, although you should always check with a doctor when trying anything new.