CBD is well-known as a natural cure-all for pain, anxiety, insomnia, and stress, but could it help your skin too? There are some studies that suggest it may indeed be helpful for acne sufferers!
CBD oil-infused skincare products are now being marketed for wrinkles, age spots, and even acne, and it appears that there is some science behind the hype.
What is CBD?
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a component found in hemp and marijuana. CBD is not psychoactive, so it will not get you high. The part of marijuana that makes people high is a different cannabinoid, called THC. While CBD is also a cannabinoid, it works on your body’s endocannabinoid receptors in a different way, soothing and relaxing you without making you high.
CBD oil is not to be confused with hemp seed oil. Hemp seed oil is often marketed as being almost identical to CBD oil, however, the two products are rather different. CBD oil is near-pure CBD, while hemp seed oil contains only trace amounts of the cannabinoid. Hemp seed oil can have benefits of its own, but it is not the same thing at all.
How Could CBD Oil Help With Acne?
CBD oil has many benefits, but the one that is of most interest to acne sufferers is the anti-inflammatory nature of the compound. CBD oil can help to reduce the redness, swelling, and irritation of the skin that is associated with acne. In addition, it is thought that it can help to reduce the sebum production of the skin, too. Many acne sufferers have excessive sebum production, and reducing the oil output of the skin goes a long way towards reducing breakouts.
CBD oil is not just an anti-inflammatory, it is an antioxidant too. It can help to reduce or prevent damage to the skin caused by free-radicals, and this can improve skin tone, stop your skin looking dull, and help to improve your skin’s overall appearance.
A nice side effect of that mechanism is that it will also reduce acne. Since your skin is being irritated less, it will be less inflamed, will produce less sebum, and will repair more quickly, so you’re less likely to end up with dry, sore patches, clogged pores, and breakouts.
CBD Oil is Good for Sensitive Skin
If you have sensitive skin then CBD oil can help with that, too, since it is free from perfumes and other irritants. CBD is generally well-tolerated, and to date, there have been no recorded incidents of overdoses. This means that you don’t have to worry about rashes or irritation.
Is CBD Legal?
One thing that does confuse people is the legality of CBD oil. CBD’s association with cannabis gives it a bit of an undeserved bad reputation. CBD is not psychoactive. Even in areas where marijuana is illegal, hemp-derived CBD is usually OK because it contains zero THC. It is the THC which is the controlled substance. It is important to make sure that you are getting hemp-derived CBD with zero THC, however. Some CBD oils are made from cannabis plants and these may contain some THC, which means that there is a chance of them being illegal.
The law surrounding CBD and THC can be tricky to navigate, so check what the regulations are in your area before you start buying or importing anything. If you can safely buy CBD, however, then you could be opening up a world of clear, fresh skin and potentially enjoying some other wellbeing benefits too. Nature holds a lot of pharmaceutical secrets, and this is your chance to take advantage of some of them.
