CBD Skin Care: A Beginner’s Guide

By now, you probably see advertisements for CBD products daily. CBD has taken the world by storm and shows no signs of slowing down. Considering the rapid rise in popularity of CBD-infused products, it is no surprise that CBD-infused skin care products have become one of the latest trends. Our beginner’s guide to CBD skin care answers your pressing questions and helps take the guesswork out of choosing the right product for you.

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol, commonly referred to as CBD, is a naturally occurring compound produced by the cannabis plant. Unlike THC, which also comes from the cannabis plant, CBD does not cause the user to experience euphoric effects.

In the past five years, CBD has become the subject of hundreds of research studies globally. Early evidence of its potential benefits are nothing short of promising. The ease of infusing CBD into multiple products has led to brands incorporating it into countless product categories, skin care included.  

Types of CBD Skin Care Products

If you’ve ever shopped for skin care products, you’re well aware of the enormous variety of product types. By now, most skin care product types have a CBD-infused option available, but this doesn’t mean that CBD skin care products should be approached with a one size fits all mentality.

In such a rapidly evolving industry, there are constantly new CBD skin care products hitting the market. Topical CBD products like oils, patches, soaps, and masks are more accessible and affordable than ever, especially since appearing on shelves at pharmacies and grocery stores.

CBD Lotion and Cream

Lotions and creams are two common options for someone who wants to incorporate CBD into their skin care routine.

These are popular choices because they are easily incorporated into a daily skin care plan, typically affordable, and available in numerous scents and styles.

If you want to steer clear of scented products, there are many unscented CBD lotions available as well.

CBD Roll-on

Roll-on CBD products are also trending because of their convenience and ability to target smaller areas like wrists or the forehead.

Most roll-on CBD applications are light and dry relatively quickly.

CBD Balm

Balms are typically thicker than other skin care products due to the inclusion of multiple skin-friendly ingredients.

Brands like PlusCBD add ingredients like sweet almond oil, beeswax, safflower seed oil, and more to their CBD balms for an extra boost in moisturizing effects.

Conditions CBD Skin Care Products May Benefit

Although the FDA has not approved topical CBD in the treatment of any skin condition, early anecdotal evidence shows promise that things could change in the future.

Acne

Acne comes in many shapes and sizes and is never a welcome sight. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation found that while CBD may not alleviate hormonal acne, there is evidence that it may assist in reducing the inflammation of acne.

Researchers believe that this may result from CBD’s potential ability to help our bodies regulate skin tissue growth. The study’s researchers stated, “CBD has potential as a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of acne vulgaris.”

Atopic Dermatitis/Eczema

According to the National Eczema Association, 31.6 million Americans suffer from some form of eczema. With over 10% of Americans experiencing this condition, it is easy to see why so many skin care products are produced with eczema in mind.

Although there are no CBD applications that have been FDA-approved in the treatment of eczema, recent peer-reviewed studies have shown potential benefits of CBD in eczema patients.

In a 2019 study published in the Journal of Clinical Therapeutics, researchers suggested that CBD ointments may have played a role in helping alleviate itchy skin in individuals suffering from atopic dermatitis.

Anti-Microbial Properties

Topical CBD products may provide benefits to more than just individuals with chronic skin conditions. Data published by the journal Scientific Reports in 2020 shows that CBD is almost as effective as antibiotics when used to kill Staphylococcus aureus, commonly known as Staph.

Researchers found that CBD used in conjunction with Bacitracin (an over-the-counter topical anti-bacterial ointment) was more effective at killing bacteria responsible for MRSA, an antibiotic-resistant strain of Staph, than when Bacitracin was used alone.

Although the study concludes that “the exact mechanism of CBD potentiation of Bacitracin is not yet fully understood” the initial findings are enough evidence to justify additional research in this field.

Finding the Best CBD Skin Care Product for Your Needs

The large variety of CBD skin care products on the market can be overwhelming when you’re searching for one that fits your needs. Regardless of the reason you want to incorporate CBD into your routine, there are a few best practices that you should always keep in mind.

Proper Labeling

The first thing to look for when choosing any CBD product is proper labeling by the manufacturer. CBD product labels should always display an easy way for customers to access third-party lab test results for a product. Many brands use QR codes that can be scanned by most smartphones.

Besides lab results, shoppers should avoid products with vague or missing information regarding how much CBD the product contains. Unfortunately, there are shady brands that may overstate the amount of CBD in the product. If a product’s label leaves you with unanswered questions, it is probably in your best interest to switch brands.

COAs and Third-Party Test Results

Confirming that a CBD product has third-party lab results is only half of the battle. It is essential to actually review the lab test results provided. This will help you determine if your product not only has the claimed amount of CBD, but also that the product is free of any potentially harmful components like heavy metals, solvents, or mold.

Brand Reputation

CBD skin care products can be tempting to purchase on impulse, but there is value in researching the brand that makes the product. We recommend utilizing various sources to determine the type of reputation a brand has in the marketplace.

If this task feels daunting, you can utilize our Trusted Brands page. This free resource provides an unbiased summarization of the pros and cons of numerous CBD brands.

Conclusion

CBD skin care products may be all the rage at the moment, but the American Academy of Dermatology Association warns that CBD products definitively promising to treat skin conditions are misleading until further research is conducted.

That said, they also confirm that data from early studies has shown potential promise.

If you’re anxiously awaiting up-to-date information on the latest CBD skin care clinical studies, we recommend signing up for our free newsletter. This is an excellent source for the latest CBD news, research data, and product reviews.