Cannabis for skincare? Don’t laugh just yet. The plant that has acquired most of its reputation for having psychoactive effects that are used for recreational purposes, and as a medicinal tool for myriad of illnesses, may also have benefits for the skin. That’s when it comes in the form of a topical product, like an ointment or cream.
But we aren’t talking regular cannabis. The therapeutic potential we’re interested in is focussed on the cannabidiol (CBD) in the herb, and specifically a type of cannabis called hemp. CBD doesn’t get you high, whether you’re vaping it, smoking it, eating it or applying it to the skin. But the benefits that this non-psychoactive compound has for our health are profound, and in this decade, we have witnessed the emergence of hemp-based CBD wholesale products all over the world.
The effects of CBD are complex, and our understanding of them is growing all the time. Cannabinoid research is one of the hottest topics in science right now, as scientists find out more about the role of the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), and how CBD works within that system to improve our wellbeing. Skincare products infused with CBD have become more popular following the discovery of cannabinoid receptors, which are part of the ECS, in the skin.
Now that you know a little more about what CBD is, where it comes from, and why it may be beneficial, let’s look more closely at some of the most popular reasons for using it on the skin.
Acne
The teenager’s nightmare, acne impacts people all over the world, with the numbers of those affected running into the hundreds of millions. The condition, which makes the skin really oily due to the proliferation of sebum, can devastate personal appearance, an effect that can cause sufferers to become anxious and depressed. Treatments for acne, both prescription and alternative, have varying levels of success. Some people are so desperate to treat acne that they have even been prepared to resort to dangerous products.
CBD has a nurturing and nourishing effect on the skin, and produces an anti-inflammatory effect that may be key to resolving acne. The compound is also rare in that it has sebostatic properties, which can balance the amount of sebum produced by the sebaceous glands. CBD reduces sebum production enough to stop the oily breakouts, but not so much as to cause another problem in dry skin. If you are at a loss with acne treatments, then maybe it’s time to give CBD a try.
Infections
Skin infections, whether they be caused by bacterial, microbial, or fungal, can be dangerous if they aren’t treated properly. It’s essential that we protect our skin from these after getting a cut or graze, as this preventative measure could save us from problems down the line.
CBD has a three-pronged effect when it comes to managing infections, boasting antibacterial, antifungal and antimicrobial properties. The mechanisms for these effects are not totally understood – but the important thing is that CBD works.
Aging
None of us like getting older, but it’s perhaps the fact that we look older which bothers us most. You may be able to do something about that with CBD, which appears to possess novel anti-aging properties, which can stave off the menace that is extrinsic aging. This aging is caused by external factors, and in particular the notorious free radicals. These uncharged molecules devastate the skin’s DNA so that the body cannot create as many new skin cells to replace the old.
CBD blocks free radicals – which come from the sun, exhaust fumes and other pollutants, and tobacco smoke to name just three – by applying an antioxidant layer to the skin. Those who subscribe to the free radical theory of aging should get their hands on some wholesale CBD products.
Psoriasis
The patchy and flaky skin that is caused by psoriasis now appears to be the result of an autoimmune disease. While this sounds bad news, at least it is helping researchers to develop targeted treatments that can genuinely treat symptoms.
These patches and flakes are the result of a hyperactive immune system, which speeds up the skin cell life cycle to an unsustainable rate. The rapid generation of new cells cannot be shed, so they accumulate on the top layer of the skin, the epidermis. CBD is known to have immune system regulating effects – in the case of psoriasis, these may come from regulating CB2 receptors in the skin.
