CBD SKINCARE: DOES IT LIVE UP TO ITS CLAIMS

CBD SKINCARE

CBD skincare is a niche market that is steadily growing. In the past few years, I’ve seen CBD used as a cosmetic ingredient for skincare products. At first I thought it was just a passing fad. But it could actually be here to stay, with more and more brands choosing the CBD route.  I was curious to find out what all the popularity was about, and if this ingredient could live up to it’s claims.

I’m sure most of you know what CBD is. So, there’s no need to go into a long winded explanation. CBD or cannabidiol is an active ingredient in the cannabis plant, well known for it’s therapeutic effect. Unlike THC, it contains no psychoactive components and its unable to get you high (so there’s no need to worry).  


The Benefits of CBD in Skincare

CBD or cannabidiol has numerous benefits when applied topically to the skin.  It is has many healing properties, and can be used in a variety of ways. 

• It helps to protect the skin against aggressive environmental factors and oxidative stress. CBD, a compound with known anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, could be considered as a potential therapeutic compound to protect against the damaging environmental factors (Cannabidiol protects keratinocyte cell membranes following exposure to UVB and hydrogen peroxide)1. 

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• The protective nature of CBD and the fact that it helps the skin fight against oxidative stress and chemical environmental factors, gives the CBD the ability to protect the skin against premature signs of aging. CBD could be a potential protective agent for keratinocytes against the harmful effects of irradiation and chemical environmental factors that cause oxidative stress (Cannabidiol protects keratinocyte cell membranes following exposure to UVB and hydrogen peroxide)2. Oxidative stress induced cell damage can lead to chronic inflammation and is involved in the pathogenesis of skin diseases, skin disorder and skin aging (Cannabidiol induces antioxidant pathways in keratinocytes by targeting BACH1)3.

 

• CBD helps the skin to retain moisture, and increase hydration in the skin.  It  can serve as an ingredient in anti-aging products. It has been reported that when CBD is applied to the skin, dermal water content and the elasticity of the skin is increased (Cannabdiol Application Increases Cutaneous Aquaporin-3 and Exerts a Skin Moisturizing Effect)4. Dermal water content is related to the elasticity of the skin and the formation of wrinkles.  In fact, in elderly individuals, dermal water content is reduced, elasticity is reduced, and wrinkles form. Dermal water content is controlled by various moisturizing factors, such as collagen, ceramide, and hyaluronic acid (Cannabdiol Application Increases Cutaneous Aquaporin-3 and Exerts a Skin Moisturizing Effect)5.

 

• CBD helps to reduce inflammation in the body, and is used in the treatment of eczema, psoriasis and acne. Studies have shown that the topical application of CBD ointment soothes and reduces irritation in eczema, psoriasis and many other related skin disorders. The topical administration of  CBD ointment, without any THC, is a safe and effective non-invasive alternative to improve the quality of life in patients with some skin disorders, especially of an inflammatory background (A therapeutic effect of cbd enrich ointment in inflammatory skin diseases and cutaneous scars)6.

 

• CBD has been proven to protect the skin against harmful UVB rays. CBD reduces the harmful effects of UVB on keratinocytes..which  is associated with CBD’s antioxidant activity (Cannabidiol protects keratinocyte cell membranes following exposure to UVB and hydrogen peroxide)7. UV Radiation is a potentially harmful physical factor that can damage skin tissue. UV rays disrupt the intracellular redox balance of skin cells, promote inflammation, inhibit cell proliferation, and can even cause cell death (Therapeutic application of cannabidiol on UVA and UBA irradiated rat skin. A proteomic study)8.

Final Thoughts?

After carefully researching the benefits of CBD in skincare, I am interested in trying a few CBD products to see if they live up it to their claims. There are many CBD skincare lines to choose from. It’s appears to be a good cosmetic alternative to improve the skin’s overall health and promote longevity. 

CBD can protect the skin against harmful environmental aggressors, UVB rays, soothe inflammation and provide moisture. I think that if coupled with the right ingredients, CBD could really add an extra boost to any skincare formulation.  

I’m really looking forward to watching the growth of CBD in skincare. This natural alternative might be the next miracle cure (though that remains to be seen). Let’s wait and see.

References

1. Cannabidiol protects keratinocyte cell membranes following exposure to UVB and hydrogen peroxide (June, 2020) S. Ataly, I. Dobrzynska, A. Gegotek, E. Skrzydlewska
2. Cannabidiol protects keratinocyte cell membranes following exposure to UVB and hydrogen peroxide (June, 2020) S. Ataly, I. Dobrzynska, A. Gegotek, E. Skrzydlewska
3. Cannabidiol induces antioxidant pathways in keratinocytes by targeting BACH1  (September, 2019) L. Casares, V. Garcia, M. Garrido-Rodriguez, E. Millan, J. A. Collado, A. Garica-Martin, J. Penarando, M. A. Calzado, L. de la Vega, E. Munoz
4. Cannabdiol Application Increases Cutaneous Aquaporin-3 and Exerts a Skin Moisturizing Effect (August, 2021) N. Ikarashi, M. Shiseki, R. Yoshida, K. Tabata, R. Kimura, T. Watanabe, R. Kon, H. Sakai, J. Kamei
5. Cannabdiol Application Increases Cutaneous Aquaporin-3 and Exerts a Skin Moisturizing Effect (August, 2021) N. Ikarashi, M. Shiseki, R. Yoshida, K. Tabata, R. Kimura, T. Watanabe, R. Kon, H. Sakai, J. Kamei
6. A therapeutic effect of cbd enrich ointment in inflammatory skin diseases and cutaneous scars (April, 2019) B. Palmieri, C. Laurino, M. Vadala
7. Cannabidiol protects keratinocyte cell membranes following exposure to UVB and hydrogen peroxide (June, 2020) S. Ataly, I. Dobrzynska, A. Gegotek, E. Skrzydlewska
8. Therapeutic application of cannabidiol on UVA and UBA irradiated rat skin.  A proteomic study (October, 2020) S. Ataly, A. Gegotek, A. Wronski, P. Domigues

CBD AND ANTI AGING