Cannabinoids may soothe certain skin diseases, say researchers from the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, finding “that pharmaceuticals containing cannabinoids may be effective against eczema, psoriasis, atopic and contact dermatitis.” Ultimately, the anti-inflammatory properties of CBD could have calming effects on the skin.

According to Jeanette Jacknin, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist in California, “because cannabis has anti-inflammatory properties, there may be potential for topical cannabis to improve conditions such as acne, psoriasis and eczema by reducing the inflammation associated with these diseases.”

In conclusion, using CBD in your skincare can provide a plethora of benefits according to science. Why not keep your skin healthy and happy too!

A 2003 study found that CBD could help lessen inflammation, which causes dermatitis and other skin irritations.

Dermatology Times reported that Michael Milane, M.D., MBA, MPH, and chief executive officer of Greenway Therapeutix stated that CBD has the potential to be therapeutic due to its anti-inflammatory properties to reduce redness and even itching for numerous skin disorders.

An article by The American Society for Clinical Investigation found CBD to be a “potent anti-acne agent” and “is already in use in many countries in clinical practice without any significant side effects.”

For those with problematic skin, this is a big win towards obtaining healthy, clear skin.

A study from the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy found that CBD was able to reduce pain and inflammation caused by arthritis, stressing that it has no negative side effects like those found in prescription drugs. The study of transdermal application, meaning the application and absorption through the skin, found that topical CBD, “significantly reduced joint swelling...and spontaneous pain.”

CBD in itself contains many beneficial properties. The cannabinoids within help to reduce the dangerous effects of free radicals that occur from sun damage, environmental pollution, and aging. Also known as oxidative stress, this can cause your skin to age prematurely. According to an article by Pharmaceutica Analytica Acta, the properties of CBD can help increase the production of molecules like glutathione, a type of antioxidant. Overall, these and many other antioxidants can help to boost the body’s immune system.

CBD is an extract from the hemp plant

Some types of CBD can contain trace amounts (only up to 0.3% THC) but CBD isolate is pure CBD and THC-free.

CBD in skincare enters the skin via transdermal delivery, to reach the bloodstream.

Since CBD is soothing and anti-inflammatory, it may be a solution for several skin conditions or beneficial for skin health with daily use.

CBD, also known as cannabidiol, is the non psychoactive property of the hemp plant that can be extracted via several different methods. (Don’t worry, CBD does not give you that high feeling like THC does.) CBD is found in both the marijuana and hemp plants. According to Health.com even though the plants look similar, the hemp plant generally contains only 0.3% THC or less, and the marijuana plant contains between 15% to 30% THC. Since hemp contains higher levels of CBD, this is the preferred plant for extracting CBD. Once in the form of an oil, it is later combined with carrier oils or creams to be used topically in skincare. Added vitamins,

A good way to view CBD is as a means to bring your body back to an equilibrium or natural state of optimum health. It can support your endocannabinoid system or ECS for short. According to a study by the Laboratory of Physiological Studies, the ECS is a complex system that can activate receptors in the central nervous system. CBD then binds to receptors in the brain and in select locations throughout the body with “therapeutic potential” for your central nervous system and brain.

CBD can be a natural means to replenish the body’s naturally occuring supply of endocannabinoids, to restore that equilibrium and allow the body to function properly and continue to run smoothly. Think of it as your daily vitamins, where sometimes you may be lacking Vitamin D due to a lack of sunshine or Vitamin B12 from a primarily vegetarian diet. You need an adequate amount of each to keep your body balanced and healthy.

Studies show that the body may actually absorb greater amounts of CBD from the skin than other forms of delivery, with some claims that about 50% of the CBD dosage in this method reaches the bloodstream.

According to a study by the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano


it was found that transdermal (via the skin) application of CBD has advantages over ingesting CBD, where the bioavailability (or amount of CBD that is available to your body) may be higher when absorbed through the skin versus consuming CBD oils or edibles, which then has to make its way through your digestive system.

Marilyn Ann Huestis, a US toxicologist, wrote an article stating, “Transdermal delivery also bypasses first-pass metabolism of cannabinoids. These properties could improve the utility of transdermal cannabinoid medications.”

This sounds promising for CBD in skincare including creams, gels, and lotions.

CBD has been found to contain a variety of health benefits for the body and the skin. Ildi Pekar, an aesthetician and skincare line founder, stated that, "cannabidiol offers some serious antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits which can be beneficial in treating skin concerns like inflammation, dryness and free radical damage."

CBD could be a natural treatment for an array of conditions that keep your skin from being completely healthy and youthful.

Aside from the topical benefits, CBD can also be great for localized and general inflammation in the body. According to an article from the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy, “topical CBD application has therapeutic potential for relief of arthritis pain-related behaviours and inflammation without evident side-effects.”

What if a skincare cream could keep your skin looking great externally, and keep inflammation at bay in your body internally? These are the types of questions that researchers continue to explore.

Even further, in a study published by The National Library of Medicine, a clinical trial at University of Modena and Reggio Emilia Medical School found that

“The topical administration of CBD ointment, without any THC, is a safe and effective non-invasive alternative for [improve] the quality of life in patients with some skin disorders, especially on inflammatory background.” This study and others continue to pave the way for CBD as a form of skincare treatment and management.

Even though CBD is known to be safe and non-habit forming, even for daily use, taking CBD along with other medications can heighten the strength of those medications, so it is best to consult with your doctor if you have those concerns.

Each body is different, so initial CBD dosages can be determined by body weight, age, and current health. It’s also important to give your body time when starting to use CBD skincare so it can adjust and improve. Skincare brands with CBD are generally cautious when reporting the milligrams of CBD in each serving size of cream or product used, so it’s important to use as recommended by each brand and not overdo it when applying it on your skin.

It is also important to test a new product on a small area of your skin or body according to Jeanette Jacknin, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist in California. That way one can see how the skin will react to all of the ingredients, in case it causes any irritation.

First, verify that a third party lab tests the CBD product you are interested in purchasing. You can also look up the CBD product batch number found on the bottom of the product container at mycbdtest.com, and research that the CBD company is reputable and doesn’t make false claims about the levels of THC or CBD in the product.

Next, do some research on the brand to see how transparent the company is about their practices, and if they have obtained any certifications. These certifications can appear on their website and directly on product packaging. Make sure that the health and sustainability claims are validated. Some credible organizations that help do the research for you are The Environmental Working Group (EWG)

When you’re ready to try the last CBD skincare item, spend a few moments reading the labels, ingredients, and brand values found on the product packing and social platforms.

Some favorite skincare items that contain CBD are The Happy Labs muscle & joint salve to support muscles and joint or counteract inflammation in the body, body lotions, face moisturizers, and even face masks with added CBD. This brand carries an all vegan CBD skincare line, meaning that there are no animal products used for ingredients or in product testing.

Next, seek out CBD skincare products that contain ingredients that you already love and use! Maybe you’ve found that your skin reacts well to jojoba oil, or looks extra youthful when you use face creams with rosehip oil inside. Keep note of the positive reactions products have on your skin, and just as you would keep a food journal, start a skin journal to get in tune with your body’s largest organ.