Does CBD Provide Any Benefits for Skin?

• • CBD offers numerous potential benefits for skin health: pain relief, faster wound healing, UV protection, increased hydration, and anti-inflammatory action. And clinical research about the skin benefits of CBD is only just beginning.

• • If you choose to combine CBD skincare products with traditional products (or make your own CBD-infused formulas), consult with a dermatologist before experimenting. Consider using a test patch, and be sure to avoid sensitive areas around your eyes and mouth.

Anti-aging, texture smoothing, wrinkle prevention, and promoting a healthy skin barrier aren’t new concepts in skincare, but they’ve certainly emerged as popular trends in the age of social media—where everyone from licensed dermatologists to skincare aficionados shares their favorite products and methods for improving skin appearance.

But skincare is about more than just aesthetics: skin cancer protection, infection prevention, and other health measures are just as (if not more) important in the skincare conversation.

With all of these goals in mind, are there ways for medical cannabis patients (or anyone looking to boost their health with plant-based medicines) to leverage the healing power of marijuana for skincare? Yes: with CBD.

In this guide, we’re diving into just five of the many benefits of CBD for skin health; we’ll also offer tips for combining CBD-based skincare formulas with conventional products.

CBD for Skin: 5 Benefits

Let’s start with an overview of five significant benefits of CBD for skin health—ways in which using medical cannabis can boost wellness not just inside but out.

#1 Pain Relief

Like its sibling cannabinoid THC, CBD offers profound pain relief to patients with numerous conditions. Patients can access this healing power through CBD skincare products like topical lotions and transdermal balms.

How might CBD benefit skin health?

• Reduced irritation – If you’re struggling with painful acne blemishes, CBD-infused skin products could help reduce the pain from these small infections.
• Sunburn recovery – Anyone who’s ever experienced a severe sunburn knows just how uncomfortable widespread skin pain can be. CBD topicals can relieve the pain associated with sunburns and other similar skin maladies.

#2 Accelerated Wound Healing

The use of CBD for wound healing applications has been under somewhat intense study in recent years. And, unsurprisingly, both CBD and THC topical formulas have been shown to accelerate wound healing in both in vitro and animal studies.

Increasing wound healing speed is beneficial for skin health for multiple reasons:

• It decreases infection risk – The shorter the amount of time you have an open wound, the less time bacteria have to colonize in your system. Healing wounds efficiently after a skin injury can help protect you from future illnesses (skin-related or otherwise).
• It could improve scar tissue formation rates – Scar tissue formation (especially in deep wounds) is a normal part of the healing process. The faster scar tissue forms, the more quickly a wound will completely close (resealing the body against threats from bacteria).

Overall, increasing the speed of wound healing with CBD could have applications across the medical landscape.

#3 UV Protection

There’s exciting news in clinical research related to CBD and UV protection: in early trials, CBD appears to bolster skin cells against damage from harmful solar rays.

Protecting your skin against UV radiation is very important—whether you’re a skincare guru or reluctant to invest in self-care. Sun damage can lead to skin cancer, uncomfortable sunburns, stubborn hyperpigmentation, and other negative outcomes.

While we still recommend using conventional sunscreens until we know more about CBD’s UV protection functions (check out our complete guide to CBD sunscreens to learn more), CBD as a sun protection formula could expand options for patients looking to use plant-based products to meet as many of their health needs as possible.

#4 Hydration

In addition to UV protection research, scientists are also exploring the potential hydration benefits of using CBD for moisturizing.

A recent rodent study found that:

• A 1% CBD solution applied for 14 days significantly increased dermal water levels in mice—in other words, CBD improved skin hydration.
• CBD did not lead to any inflammation or irritation when applied during the study period.
• CBD also did not impact the genetic expression of other skin-related compounds like ceramide degrading enzyme or hyaluronic acid degrading enzyme. So, CBD may improve hydration with limited side effects.

Like UV protection, hydration is a high-priority goal in skincare. Optimal hydration can improve both the appearance and function of skin; dehydrated skin cracks more easily, can become inflamed, and doesn’t stretch as well as hydrated skin.

CBD’s impact on hydration makes it an especially attractive ingredient in skincare formulas.

#5 Anti-inflammatory Action

For people living with eczema, psoriasis, chronic acne, and other inflammatory skin conditions, CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties could be game-changing.

CBD’s anti-inflammatory effects can be:

• Localized – By applying a CBD topical solution, patients can pinpoint specific areas of inflammation (like acne blemishes and eczema flare-up areas).
• General – By ingesting CBD (via edibles or sublingual products), inhaling it (via smoking), or applying a topical solution to a wide area, patients can experience more general anti-inflammatory effects. So, CBD can promote both internal and external inflammation reduction.

Combining CBD Skincare and Traditional Skincare

Can you use CBD-infused skincare formulas in combination with more conventional products (like toners, moisturizers, and cosmetics with active ingredients)? Yes, but with some careful considerations.

Talk to a Dermatologist or Medical Cannabis Clinician

Before you combine multiple different skincare products (containing CBD or otherwise), talk to an expert like:

• A dermatologist – Dermatologists are skin specialists. They help patients protect one of their most vital organs, reach their aesthetic goals, and achieve overall wellness. They’re especially knowledgeable about skincare products, and they can be trusted with questions about skin formula interactions.
• A cannabis healthcare provider – In many states, patients must get a recommendation from a licensed provider in order to access their local network of dispensaries (and purchase medical cannabis products). Clinicians with intensive knowledge of cannabis are uniquely poised to comment on marijuana’s interactions with other compounds (including topical products).
• Your primary care provider – If you lean on your primary care provider for most of your health needs (including your cannabis care and dermatology concerns), you can ask them about potential interactions between skincare products, too. Even if they don’t have express specialty knowledge of potential interactions, they can leverage their professional networks and resources to help you parse important health information.

Experiment with Combinations in Test Patches

Before starting a new skincare routine in earnest (or adding a product to your regimen), perform a patch test:

• For approximately one week (or more), apply your new product (or combination) to a small, relatively hidden area. The areas under your chin, on your upper legs, or belly are prime candidates.
• Keep track of your skin’s response in the test area—by taking pictures, recording voice notes, or collecting other personalized data.
• If your skin responds without side effects, consider expanding your test patch (or jumping straight to generalized application if you feel safe doing so). If you do have negative side effects, the good news is that you prevented a widespread reaction that could have interfered with your daily life and comfort.

Avoid Sensitive Areas

As you try new skincare products, make sure to avoid sensitive areas: the skin around your eyes and mouth, for instance.

Depending on your unique physiology, you may have additional sensitive skin areas. Proceed with caution when trying new products (or avoid these altogether).

Explore Cannabis Care with TeleLeaf

Medical cannabis (including CBD, a cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant) offers extensive therapeutic benefits—including benefits to your skin health.

Not sure where to start your medical marijuana regimen? Consult with a licensed cannabis clinician at TeleLeaf. Our network of providers can offer a recommendation, help you get your medical card, and tailor your treatment plan to your unique needs.

Ready to experience the benefits of medical cannabis? Make an appointment with us today.

Sources:

Medical News Today. Does CBD Oil Work for Chronic Pain Management?.
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319475

Health Science Reports. The Effect of Cannabinoids on Wound Healing: A Review.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

Journal of Tissue Engineering. New Insights into Balancing Wound Healing and Scarless Skin Repair.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

International Journal of Molecular Sciences. The Effect of Cannabidiol on UV-Induced Changes in Intracellular Signaling of 3D-Cultured Skin Keratinocytes.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

Pharmaceuticals. Cannabidiol Application Increases Cutaneous Aquaporin-3 and Exerts a Skin Moisturizing Effect.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

VeryWell Health. How to Keep Your Skin Hydrated (And Why It’s Important).
https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-to-hydrate-skin-5105285

Antioxidants. Antioxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Cannabidiol.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/