CBD infused beauty products entering the market at an accelerated rate could seem like another fad trend that will be over by Christmas.
However, the myriad medicinal properties held within the cannabis-based compound has undoubtedly turned CBD into one of the most powerful ingredients within the beauty industry.
Cannabidiol, mostly used in its common form of CBD oil, utilises the non-psychoactive cannabinoid farmed from the cannabis plant that has held associations with wellness and calmness for centuries.
The use of cannabis as a potent ingredient in beauty regimes is nothing new, with the oil as an ingredient in skincare potentially dating all the way back to Cleopatra – the famous Egyptian queen who supposedly used cannabidiol to keep her skin looking young and fresh over 2000 years ago.
Does it actually work?
Some CBD studies on the use of cannabidiol on the skin have shown that the ingredient’s antibacterial properties could soothe inflammation, reduce irritation and itchiness and regulate sebum – the natural oily secretion that often causes acne breakouts.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation found that CBD can balance and regulate sebum production even in cases where the sebum overproduction is due to the excessive amount of the testosterone hormone, a common issue for sufferers of hormonal acne and one of the largest parts of the skincare industry.
Cannabinoid receptors can also reduce pain sensations and itch perceptions within the body’s naturally occurring endocannabinoid system, creating potential for it to be utilised at a therapeutic level in more serious inflammatory skin issues such as eczema and contact dermatitis.
Additionally, CBD oil has been found to be extremely rich in vitamins A, C and E, which are known for keeping skin healthy, firm and youthful.
Vitamins
Vitamin A encourages healthy skin cell production in the deep layers of tissue utilising the retinol found within the vitamin. It also slows down the ageing of the skin by stopping the breakdown of collagen.
Vitamin C is used as a potent antioxidant ridding the skin of free radicals and aids the skin in repairing damaged cells whether caused by harmful UV rays or exposure to air pollution.
Vitamin E is another powerful antioxidant that can help the skin repair and assist in cellular restoration, also fighting off damaging free radicals. Furthermore, vitamin E has moisturising properties and helps create a strong skin barrier to stop damage happening in the first place.
Popular brand endorsement
Many well-known beauty brands have already begun incorporating CBD into much-loved products. The popular make up brand Nyx announced in July this year the launch of their new Bear With Me Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil Collection featuring a primer, lip conditioner, brow setter and blotting paper.
Another mainstream brand with a cult following and respected for their apothecary heritage – Kiehl’s – launched the Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil Herbal Concentrate targeted at problem, oily and blemish-prone skin with high ranking customer reviews.
Rachel Nazarian, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City stated: “There is consumer demand for more natural products these days, which I think is fuelling this trend, I’ve actually used CBD oil for things like wound healing, burns, and itching — and that’s where the science does back it.”
Bianca London, a website editor for British Vogue put CBD face cream to the test in an attempt to eradicate her skins redness and oiliness after a bad bout of acne had left her with scars and redness.
Difference
After using a product for four weeks, she revealed: “I did start to notice some difference in my skin. For one, the redness I usually find on my cheeks and nose was reduced and my skin generally seems more toned and even – I’d even go as far to say it’s plumper and softer too. My normally oily t-zone was significantly less bothersome, but my skin didn’t feel dry or irritated.”
Several stunning celebs have sworn by cannabidiol as their new go to ingredient to slather on their skin. Hollywood actress Emma Roberts swore by CBD infused skin salves and bath tonics revealing she’s “so in love” with the products, while Olivia Wilde opened up about her new found love for CBD lotion to help her relax when speaking to New York Times.
With the beauty and skincare industry now seemingly getting over the coconut oil craze, which was received well at time of release only to come crashing down after multiple studies revealed how the oil is highly comedogenic, which causes pores to clog and may only be useful for extremely dry skin, it’s refreshing to have a new, science-backed beauty ingredient on the shelves.
Pure products only
Cannabis based beauty products are proving to be a lucrative sector within the beauty industry with the current revenue generated from CBD skin care products in 2019 being valued at more than $645m, with an anticipated annual growth rate of 33% until 2027 as reported by Future Market Insights. CBD oil continues to be the top selling product in the skin care market and holds on to its major market share for the future.
Although the cannabis beauty industry is booming, the FDA regulations on CBD remain hazy, with many companies recently being penalised for overstating medicinal benefits of their products.
CBD should be considered as a worthwhile solution for skincare. However, as the CBD industry is still relatively young, it’s important to use products that are guaranteed to be pure and effective.
Several products on the market have launched without adhering to the regulatory frameworks, therefore, understanding individual country’s legal status on the potency of CBD products in order to avoid higher than usual amounts of THC is crucial. CBD is currently legal in the US and the UK but the THC component of the plant remains illegal.
The purer the CBD, the higher the medicinal benefits gained for the skin so to guarantee the highest quality results, it’s a good idea for consumers to search for products clearly labelled with CBD purity percentages.
Several products can be misleadingly titled with some containing little to no CBD, while others marketed as containing hemp oil consist of no CBD at all.
