Skincare has always been at the forefront of the beauty and self-care industry. An article published by the Statista Research Department shows that 1.68 million Americans spent an average of $500 or more on skincare products. Further research showed that the skincare market is estimated to be worth 189.3 billion US dollars by 2025. It is safe to assume that the skincare industry is on a steady upward trend with a rapidly expanding consumer base. That has led to more knowledge among consumers about the ingredients found in products. For example, people tend to have a clear understanding of what retinol or hyaluronic acid are. They even know how these compounds work on the skin. As a result, customers often gravitate towards products with ingredients they can identify. But what about CBD and skincare?
Quite recently, a new ingredient has begun to turn heads among skincare enthusiasts. That ingredient is CBD. CBD has gradually taken its place among the other trending skincare ingredients. That leads to the question: What exactly makes CBD important in skincare?
CBD in Skincare
CBD is said to be a miracle-working compound. It has proven to treat a variety of illnesses, ranging from anxiety to Alzheimer’s Disease. Its versatility, however, does not end there. CBD-infused products are in beauty stores in the form of serums, sunscreens, chapsticks, creams, and cleansers. And they are growing high in demand.
CBD is an abbreviation for cannabinoid: a naturally occurring chemical compound found in the cannabis plant. It is one of the two primary active ingredients of cannabis. The second is THC. Unlike THC, CBD is non-psychoactive. CBD’s ability to help treat various ailments is due to its effect on the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the human body. This system regulates sleep, appetite, pain, and the immune system. Most CBD products are taken through ingestion or inhalation. In these cases, the product enters the bloodstream and impacts the endocannabinoid receptor activity, reducing pain and inflammation.CBD earns its role in skincare due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. These properties help hydrate dry skin, reduce breakouts, inhibit excessive sebum production, and so much more.
CBD as a Delivery Mechanism
Since CBD skincare products are mostly used topically, the way they affect the body is very different. The CBD in these products does not enter the bloodstream. Instead, it interacts with nearby cannabinoid receptors through the skin pores. The CBD activates receptors involved in body temperature regulation, pain, and inflammation, all while never crossing into the bloodstream. That allows skincare products to be an effective delivery mechanism of CBD.
The human skin is highly resistant, and the immune system will attempt to block many substances from entering. But that is why CBD topical products are potent enough to overcome the resistibility of our immune system and penetrate the skin. Furthermore, the chances of having side effects or an allergy to CBD products are low and usually happen due to other ingredients, like botanicals.
What are the benefits of using CBD skincare?
In addition to working as an effective delivery mechanism, CBD skincare is beneficial in the treatment of a range of skin conditions, including the following:
- Acne – Acne occurs when hair follicles are clogged with excess sebum oil and dead skin cells, causing breakouts. CBD’s natural anti-inflammatory properties reduce breakouts and redness while improving the texture of acne-prone skin. CBD is also a hormonal balancer, decreasing sebum oil production and reducing the possibility of future breakouts.
- Wrinkles and fine lines – CBD has antioxidant properties that allow them to counteract the free-radical damage responsible for the breakdown of collagen and hence the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Antioxidants in CBD help slow down the process of collagen loss and reverse signs of wrinkles and other skin deterioration.
- Sensitive skin – People with sensitive skin are prone to redness and irritation triggered by even mild environmental factors. CBD has soothing properties which reduce the reactivity of sensitive skin.
- Psoriasis – Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease where the life cycle of skin cells is accelerated. That leads to the appearance of red or pink skin with a silver lining. Although there is no cure for psoriasis, the anti-inflammatory properties of CBD can help to reduce the side effects. CBD helps leverage the endocannabinoid system of the human body and helps find balance again.
- Eczema – Similar to Psoriasis, eczema causes painful, itchy, and inflamed rashes. Research shows that these reactions are regulated by the endocannabinoid system. CBD may help the skin to re-establish or maintain homeostasis. Overall, CBD helps reduce the symptoms of eczema.
Choosing a Skincare Product
There are a lot of factors that go into considering which type of CBD skin product is the best fit. First of all, it is best to determine which kind of CBD you prefer. All CBD products fall under one of three categories:
- Full-spectrum CBD – These products contain all naturally occurring compounds in cannabis, including terpenes, flavonoids, and other cannabinoids. They also contain 0.3% THC.
- Broad-spectrum CBD – These products contain CBD extracts such as terpenes, flavonoids, and other cannabinoids. They do not contain THC.
- Isolate CBD – These are products containing pure CBD extracts with only CBD.
Apart from being familiar with this classification of CBD products, customers should also thoroughly research the company from which they wish to purchase. The company must provide proof of third-party testing and not have any unsupported health claims. They should not have been subject to a warning letter from the FDA. It is always wise to choose a reputable and trusted company. We highly recommended going through customer reviews of the company and its products from reliable sources.
With the growth of demand and the benefits that CBD brings to skincare, we see a bright future for CBD in skincare products. If you are ready to start a CBD line or would like to develop a CBD skincare product, please feel free to contact us.
