Thanks to the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill, you now see CBD at every gas station and Whole Foods in the country. We are finally at a point where our grandmothers are asking about CBD, and clients have either already purchased products on their own or have begun asking for recommendations. Unfortunately, there remains a huge knowledge gap.
With so many regurgitated memes and misinformation circling the internet, it’s enough to make your head spin. The best thing you can do is seek information based in science and educate your clients to the best of your ability. There is so much to learn about the Endocannabinoid System (ECS), and the more you learn, the more you will understand how the integumentary system, the body’s organ system consisting of the skin, hair, nails, and exocrine glands, interacts with the endocannabinoid system.
The Endocannabinoid System
Cannabinoids are chemicals produced in cannabis flowers. They act on the central nervous system by imitating endocannabinoids, molecules which occur naturally in the human body. By binding to cannabinoid receptors in the brain or spinal cord, they facilitate communication between cells. These receptors are found in all mammals in both the brain and peripheral nervous systems. The ECS is involved in physiological processes such as appetite, pain sensation, mood, and memory. Although the ECS performs different tasks, the goal is always the same: homeostasis, the maintenance of a stable internal environment despite fluctuations in the external environment. Cannabinoid goals are to promote homeostasis or balance at every level of biological life, from the subcellular to the full organism.
The Benefits of CBD/Hemp Skincare
There are countless benefits of CBD-infused skincare, including:
- Balancing the skin’s oil production
Sebocytes, the glands in the skin that produce oil, can overproduce oil and cause pores to become clogged with bacteria. This may result in breakouts.
- Reducing inflammation
Inflammation of pores and hair follicles can also cause acne, and reducing inflammation can help individuals better manage their breakouts. Studies reveal observed anti-inflammatory effects on human skin cells and sebocytes cultured in a lab. While that’s not quite the same as observing those effects on an actual person, it’s an encouraging first step for this still-nascent field of research. I can tell you firsthand, it has been effective in 100 percent of the cases we have seen.
- Managing chronic skin conditions
People who suffer from chronic skin conditions, like psoriasis or eczema, know that the symptoms of these conditions can be very uncomfortable. Products that help manage itchiness or irritation can greatly improve their quality of life.
- Reduce signs of aging with antioxidants
While much of the research about cannabidiol is fairly new, one 1998 study established that its antioxidant content makes it a potent weapon against free radicals, which contribute to wrinkles and other signs of aging. Not only that, but the unchecked proliferation of free radicals has also been linked with the development of more serious conditions like skin cancer.
- Possible slowing of skin cell production
Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition caused by the overproduction of skin cells. This results in scales and dry patches on the skin caused by skin-cell buildup. Individuals dealing with psoriasis experience both itching and painful irritation.
Science-Based Evidence
As CBD continues to garner attention, the science-based evidence continues to grow. There are numerous studies that have now been done and more that are being published all the time. I am currently working on two case studies for cannabis massage and the use of infused topicals.
Research is how we will continue to make progress in the hemp skincare world. I encourage you to utilize PubMed, which includes more than 32 million citations for biomedical literature from MEDLINE, life science journals, and online books. Citations may include links to full text content from PubMed Central and publisher web sites. This will provide you with the largest database for studies. You can also use Google Scholar.
Other exciting research includes:
- In 2014, a study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation noted that the topical application of cannabidiol helped balance oil production. This means that it could help prevent breakouts from happening in the first place, or at least reign in their severity when they do happen.
- In 2019, a small study in the journal La Clinica Terapeutica observed the results of topical application of CBD in participants diagnosed with psoriasis, dermatitis, and scars. The researchers found that CBD helped reduce the severity and visibility of these inflammatory skin conditions.
- The National Psoriasis Foundation endorses CBD as an alternative treatment in addition to other more conventional options. It cites research from 2007 that found the topical application of cannabidiol to slow down skin-cell production.
- In 2017, the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology published a study that showed CBD had promising potential in management of itchiness and skin irritation. While that’s not the same as an ironclad endorsement of CBD’s skin-soothing powers, it does mean that people with a chronic, itchy skin condition might find a topical cream or ointment with CBD to be a useful addition to their arsenal.
CBD & Skincare Conditions
Conditions like rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, and types of inflammation referred to as atopic dermatitis may receive relief when using CBD/hemp topicals. In the spa industry, CBD/Hemp skincare is fantastic for anything that is aggravating to the tissue, such as waxing, microdermabrasion, microneedling, and so many other services that can leave the skin looking red and inflamed.
What To Look For In Products
Ten years ago, it was hard to find cannabis topicals of any kind. Today, we have more choice than ever before, which means we can be more discerning, as well. It’s become easier than ever to find high-quality products that are made with natural ingredients instead of harsh chemicals, and when it comes to cannabis topicals, it’s worth being choosy.
Many of us have become accustomed to reading labels on the food we eat. This shift in awareness is now moving into body care products. In the past, if a bottle of lotion or face cream had an informative, visually appealing label, then chances were good that you, the customer, would have no intention of checking the ingredients list. That’s starting to change, and because our skin is our largest organ (and capable of absorbing whatever we apply to it), it’s important that ingredients be pure, chemical- and cruelty-free, and organic, whenever possible.
If you have made the choice to use cannabis plant topicals, you are generally seeking an improved quality of life from whatever ails you. As human beings, we live in environments increasingly surrounded by toxins, and there are countless pollutants that we have no control over. But our skincare and the cannabis topicals we choose to apply are something we can control. Although it may be hard to believe, these products can be a huge contributor to our daily toxicity intake. By seeking ones that are organic, you are seeking a level of purity that will have great benefits for your body and mind.
What Extraction Should I Use?
Whether you decide to use isolate-based or full- or broad-spectrum CBD products, the choice is yours. Hemp, or cannabis that is less than 0.3 percent THC, is legal in every state since the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill. The options you have for products are extensive nowadays.
Broad spectrum is CBD that has been extracted from the cannabis/hemp plant along with all the other compounds and cannabinoids, except THC. It is preferable if you want a zero THC product.
Full spectrum is CBD that has been extracted from the cannabis/hemp plant, along with all the other compounds, flavonoids, chlorophyll, terpenes, and cannabinoids including THC.
CBD Isolate has been completely purified from any other cannabinoids, chlorophyll, terpenes, and any other compounds.
The Bottom Line
By taking advantage of the antioxidant powers of CBD/hemp skincare, you can give your body’s ECS the help it needs to keep your skin strong and healthy. CBD/hemp-infused topicals are gentle enough to be used on the most sensitive or acne-prone skin.
The field of cannabis medicine may be young, but the early results look promising for the skin. Be sure to educate yourself about the products you are using. You can always ask the manufacturer questions about Certificates of Analysis to show strength and purity.
Ready to get serious about CBD and skincare? Here, the editors of Well Defined have gathered an assortment of effective offerings that will help you discover its blissful benefits.
