The use of CBD is rapidly increasing across various dimensions – be it medicinal or skincare. However, the hype of CBD is significant in its therapeutic use, where the CBD infused products are used for healing insomnia, depression, acne, and various other health issues.
Nowadays you can find CBD everywhere, and more recently, as a critical ingredient in skincare products like moisturizers, sunscreens, lip balms, serums, masks, and so on. Additionally, it has garnered a reputation for incorporating edibles like smoothies, powder, tinctures, and oil. Even though we love Sunday Scaries, you should not include the substance into your diet and lifestyle overnight.
Many brands are roping in on its newfound popularity and promising untold health benefits. More so, according to a study by research and consulting firm Grand View Research Inc., by 2025, the cosmetics market with CBD-infused skincare products is set to reach USD 1.7 billion globally. With cannabis legalization in Canada and around 33 states in the U.S., this surge is even more evident in North America.
What is CBD?
It is essential to know what CBD stands for before delving deep into the hype around its usage. CBD is one of more than 60 active natural compounds found in the Cannabis Sativa plant. Professionals extract the compound from hemp plants as a powder and mixed oils like coconut, olive, or hemp. These oils are useful in boosting the compound’s effectiveness and application, hence the name ‘CBD oil.’
Here, it is also essential to note that CBD oil is not the same as hemp seed oil, although it is another useful ingredient for the skin. While CBD oil and hemp oil are often sold interchangeably, CBD oil has more concentration of Cannabidiol, whereas hemp seed oil contains only traces of the compound. While purchasing CBD-infused products, it is essential to check the compound’s regulations and authorizations.
Beneficial Properties of CBD
CBD is highly recognized for its anti-inflammatory properties and is rich in Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids and antioxidants. Even though cannabis has been an ancient medicine for several years, researchers’ medicinal purposes for CBD and other cannabinoids have been explored relatively recently.
Since more research is still required, there is increasing evidence regarding CBD’s positive mental health effects, including stress, anxiety disorders, and depression. Additionally, it may also be therapeutic for other conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Arthritis, Inflammation, Diabetes, Pain, Psychosis, Cardiovascular disease, Infection, Multiple sclerosis, and Nausea, as suggested by The World Health Organization. Yet seriously I have to suggest to talk to a dermatologist.
Apart from the above mentioned mental health benefits, CBD also possesses many beneficial properties for the skin. Its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties may potentially help to cure or at least alleviate acne and other skin problems like eczema and psoriasis. CBD is significantly becoming a cost-effective way to boost skin products that heal dry skin, acne, and other skin conditions.
There are few specific areas where the production and use of CBD infused skincare products have grown exponentially and seem to work well to some extent, such as:
CBD for Skin Sensitivity
An essential benefit of using CBD oil is that it contains soothing properties. Skin-calming and skin-normalizing effects can minimize skin-related issues such as sensitivity and include redness and reactivity. The soothing properties of CBD prove highly useful in calming various skin types.
CBD to Treat Acne
As it possesses a potential remedy for inflammatory skin diseases, CBD also exists in certain anti-acne products. CBD properties can reduce inflammation and soothe the skin, simultaneously reducing breakouts, mostly redness related to acne visibly. Studies have shown that CBD can reduce excess sebum (oil) production, thus restoring balance to the skin’s oil secretion.
CBD for Anti Aging benefits
As mentioned previously, CBD also has antioxidant properties, which may help lessen the visible signs of aging and wrinkles. It can work against free-radical damage and reduce inflammation. CBD infused skincare products can also help ease other skin issues such as skin dullness, wrinkles, and reddish skin tone.
Is CBD Eco-Friendly?
The agriculture industry is a large contributor to environmental degradation and climate change, this includes cannabis. Because cannabis grows both indoors and outdoors the environmental issues differ. Outdoor cultivation typically causes soil erosion, water waste, agrochemicals, and so forth. When it comes to marijuana which is a type of cannabis, typically it grows indoors with greenhouse conditions. This helps manufacturers control the temperature, humidity and soil to regulate the quality of the marijuana plant. Not only does this require a lot of energy, but water and money.
Hemp which belongs to the cannabis sativa species is far more eco-friendly. In fact, it may be the most eco-friendly crop in the world and it more rich in CBD than marijuana. It’s usually grown outdoors (to maximize size) where it requires less water resources and will be ready to harvest every four months. Given its quick growth rate, roots of the hemp plant go deeper into the soil allowing for easy rotation after harvest.
Hemp is also more resistant to diseases so pesticides are not necessary. They still require herbicides, but much less than other crops. In addition, hemp plants are eco-friendly because of their ability to store massive amounts of carbon dioxide during photosynthesis. If you want to go a step further when shopping for hemp-derived CBD skincare products, ensure they are plastic-free.
Is this Hype worth it?
The hype and widespread use of CBD infused products is not something that seems to come up overnight. There is still a long way to prove the hype and make a definitive statement. However, the different study results derived so far on CBD show promising results. For instance, one analysis published in the Dermatology Online Journal in June 2018 pointed out that CBD may show some initial promise as a therapy for various skin diseases. It still needs high-quality trials and research to prove it.
CBD infused beauty products is growing to be the new trendy creation that more people are willing to try. However, it is essential to keep the following things in mind while purchasing CBD infused skincare products. Make sure that you check all the below factors before opting for CBD products:
- Professionals test the product first on a patch of skin such as the forearm to avoid allergic reactions,
- Check the label for proper ingredients,
- Know what CBD is and what your skin requires, and
- Talk to a dermatologist for any query.
Conclusion
CBD is gradually gaining immense popularity for its use in various dimensions. With a comprehensive knowledge of CBD, its source, benefits, and research facts with us, one can virtually try out CBD infused skincare products and reap its benefits. Ensure to check the ingredients and directions to use before applying it on the skin.
