It’s not often that a truly new and exciting ingredient hits the skincare market, but that’s exactly the situation we find ourselves in with the emergence of CBD.
If you’re not familiar, CBD (short for ‘cannabidiol’) is a non-psychoactive compound found in the hemp plant. That means, unlike its sister molecule THC, CBD won’t make you feel intoxicated or ‘high’. It may, however, unleash a torrent of beneficial effects for your body — and with the recent nationwide legalization of hemp farming, researchers are scrambling to learn the exact extent of CBD’s benefits.
CBD For Acne and Blemishes
Of all the cruel tricks the body can play on you, acne has to be one of the worst! It’s unsightly, persistent, and notoriously hard to effectively treat. Although some people respond well to basic over-the-counter acne face wash, there remains a significant chunk of the population who have acne that’s resistant to these low-level treatments.
If you’ve ever been plagued by acne — especially at the worst possible times — you know how desperate it can feel to search for a remedy that works. For acne sufferers, a new option has recently hit the marketplace: CBD topicals.
CBD topicals are exactly what you might expect: CBD oil extracted and then incorporated into a high-quality face cream that’s loaded with palliative ingredients known to help calm acne outbreaks. But what is it about CBD, exactly, that makes it a good candidate for acne treatment? A major study on CBD found that it inhibits excessive sebum production — meaning it discourages your facial skin from becoming oily. Several other studies have pointed to CBD’s ability to potentially act as an anti-inflammatory agent, a property that has implications beyond just skincare.
Regardless, if these initial studies hold water, it means that treating your face with CBD topicals can act as a one-two punch against greasy, oily skin and inflammation: two conditions known to trigger acne flare-ups.
Is CBD the Next Big Anti-Aging Treatment?
For those who want to improve their skin’s appearance without resorting to invasive surgery or harsh pharmaceuticals, CBD may represent the future of over-the-counter popular skin care treatment. As mentioned before, CBD may turn out to be an effective anti-inflammatory compound, which can help combat common age-related skin conditions like puffiness, ruddy color, and more.
But beyond that, CBD appears to have antioxidant properties, as well. It’s this aspect of CBD that makes CBD topicals so popular among those hoping for an anti-aging effect. Essentially, as you age, free radicals start to break down the once-healthy and elastic nature of your skin. As time goes on, your skin begins to look more wrinkly, saggy, and dull. This effect is especially pronounced on face and neck skin, which is more delicate.
Antioxidants have been shown to combat these free radicals, helping to restore a natural equilibrium in your skin that reduces the appearance of these age-related effects and makes you look “younger.” Of course, CBD is far from the only antioxidant product available, but CBD is unique because users may be receiving a host of other potential health benefits at the same time. What’s more, the organic sourcing and ethical manufacturing practices by high-end CBD companies like CBDfx help consumers feel like they’re opting for a natural, sustainable product as opposed to something chemical or artificial.
With CBD’s meteoric rise in popularity, expect studies surrounding CBD and skincare to start being published in greater numbers. As we learn more about how CBD can help keep skin looking young, tight, and radiant, there’s no doubt that it will remain one of the hottest skincare trends in years.
