Everything You Need to Know about CBD and Skincare

Everything you need to know about CBD and skincare

cbd skin care guide

Tired of hearing about CBD yet? Well, the wonder phytocannabinoid isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. And that’s a good thing. CBD packs a multitude of benefits and, thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, is now completely legal in all 50 states. That’s why it’s shown up in products ranging from insomnia-battling gummies to anti-anxiety cold brew. But the crossover that’s got everyone talking is CBD skincare, the newest trend to take hold of the beauty industry.

These days, you can find CBD cosmetics and skincare products in most major retail stores like Whole Foods and Sephora. If you’ve ever been curious about whether any of these products actually work, here’s a little primer on what you need to know about CBD skincare.

Why it works

CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties are well-documented, which is why it’s been used to treat pain and a variety of other ailments. But these properties, when translated to skin care, can be ultra-healing as well. Multiple studies have shown that CBD helps reduce lipid product from sebaceous glands, which, when overproduced causes acne. In addition, one study has shown that CBD can inhibit keratinocyte proliferation, which supports the treatment of psoriasis.

For those without serious skin problems, it can help reduce redness and sooth breakouts. It’s also purported to have anti-aging effects due to its antioxidant properties which counteract free-radical damage.

Samir Juneja, the brain behind the brand CBD of London told Vogue in an interview, “In terms of an antioxidant on the skin, it provides a missing particle that a free radical can bond with, stopping it from going on to cause DNA damage. As for anti-inflammatory properties, we know that skin aging and inflammation go hand in hand, and CBD helps to combat oxidative stress.”

How to use it

While CBD may be hugely beneficial, it’s not a cure-all. The same is true when it’s found in skincare. These products are meant to work in tandem with other products already in your regimen, so don’t omit your cleanser or toner. CBD skincare products typically come in a mixture of CBD isolate and a carrier oil like coconut, olive, or hemp. According to experts, it pairs best with products that contain vitamin c and retinol.

Reputable brands/products to try

Lord Jones is a popular beauty brand that pioneered CBD skincare with its line of tinctures, body lotions, and bath salts. Each bottle of their hugely popular body lotion contains 100 mg of CBD and fans of the brand swear by its calming and pain-relieving properties. Use it to sooth sore muscles and joint tightness.

Saint Jane is another CBD-centric brand whose name is a cheeky nod to cannabis’ other well-known nickname. Their microdose lip glosses contain 50 mg of pure CBD, helping to moisturize and soothe chapped lips.

Kush Queen is a CBD wellness brand that’s quickly gaining popularity. It features a wide range of both CBD and THC-infused products like bath bombs, pain relief lotions, supplements, edibles, and even lube.

Hora is another indie CBD brand that’s making waves in the mainstream beauty scene with its line of super serums and overnight masks. Their products also contain much more CBD than their competitors, with each bottle boasting a whopping 250 mg of CBD. Interestingly enough, the brand isn’t using that as its main selling point. The brand’s founder, Samantha Czubiak, wanted to stray from CBD’s image as a ‘marijuana product’ and, instead, focus on promoting it is a high-end beauty product.

She told Forbes, “I always wanted to really break the stigma around quote unquote marijuana products. There are no weed leaves on the package or the website. I really wanted this to be in mainstream beauty.”

What to look out for

Due to its meteoric rise in popularity, many brands have hopped on the CBD hype train, releasing products that may not be as beneficial as others. Watch out for products that only contain hemp seed oil but are marketed as CBD oil. They are not created equal. CBD is extracted from the hemp plant’s flowers and leaves through a process called CO2 extraction. Meanwhile, hemp seed oil is extracted by cold pressing the hemp plant’s seeds.

That’s not to say that hemp seed oil doesn’t have its benefits. It actually entered the skincare industry way before CBD. In its own right, it’s a powerful moisturizer and is non-comedogenic. However, it does not contain any cannabinoids, which mean it’s missing CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties.

To suss out real CBD skincare from products just riding on its coattails, look for ones labeled to contain hemp extract oil, phytocannabinoid-rich hemp oil, full-spectrum hemp extract, and, of course, CBD. The earlier they show up on a product’s list of ingredients, the better. That means their concentration is higher than other ingredients contained in the product.