Yahoo Finance The Science Behind CBD Skincare
Got a question for the Women's Health Collective? Send us a DM @womenshealthcollectiveuk and we'll call on our experts. We're getting your questions answered.
India from Chiswick asks:
‘Does CBD skincare really work?’
Expert: Shabir Daya, resident pharmacist at Victoria Heath
Cannabidiol – the compound found in the hemp plant – has emerged from a haze of confusion surrounding its psychoactive impact (note: it doesn’t have one) to become one of the prolific ingredients in beauty.
That it’s a powerful anti-inflammatory explains why CBD has been linked with conditions as diverse and IBS and eczema, and while its bioavailability (how well it’s absorbed in the body) can be low when it’s ingested, it’s thought to be more potent when applied topically.
‘Studies show that CBD has anti-inflammatory effects on the skin in the same way as oat extracts are soothing,’ says Kim Smith, founder of the CBD brand Kloris. ‘It’s also a powerful antioxidant.’
She adds that CBD’s powers can be explained by the way it interacts with cannabinoid receptors in the skin – part of the endocannabinoid system.
‘This system regulates immune function, encouraging optimal functioning of the skin barrier, so it could be helpful with conditions like acne, where sebaceous glands [those secreting sebum] need regulating.’
Shabir Daya, resident pharmacist at Victoria Heath, isn’t convinced though. ‘Topical CBD may display anti-inflammatory properties, but I believe there are more potent and effective anti-inflammatories that also work with the skin’s cannabinoid receptors, such as turmeric and ginger,’ she says.
Since these are often combined with CBD in formulations, she adds, it can be hard to establish how well CBD works on its own.
Our take? CBD offers some serious antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, which research suggests can be valuable in treating inflammation, dryness and free radical damage.
But there are other (cheaper) ingredients that can do this just as well – oats and vitamin C, to name just a couple.
That said, CBD can be effective at treating inflammatory skin conditions, so it could be worth a go if you’ve had no luck with other ingredients.
If you do decide to invest, make sure you choose a reputable brand (like Kloris) that cultivates CBD sustainably – sustainable farming methods involv fewer pesticides, so the quality and potency will be higher. Still have CBD-shaped questions? This complete guide to CBD ought to answer them.
You Might Also Like
