CBD skincare is becoming more popular than ever, and it's no wonder why. With less stigma around CBD (and people becoming better educated about the differences between CBD and cannabis), interest in the therapeutic effects of CBD has skyrocketed.
In the skin care world, CBD offers a huge range of health and beauty benefits. It's most prominently known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which can help reduce redness, soothe sensitive skin, and promote a healthy, radiant complexion.
However, with this surge in popularity, it's important to be wary of brands using the CBD buzzword without actually enriching their products with high-quality CBD. So before you start, here's everything you need to know about using CBD in your skincare routine.
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What is CBD?
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a compound derived from the cannabis plant known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-anxiety properties. It works by interacting with the body's endocannabinoid system, which regulates various physiological processes, including inflammation, immune function, and pain perception.
When applied to your skin, CBD can help reduce inflammation and redness, improve skin texture and hydration, and protect against environmental damage. You'll often find CBD in serums, creams, lotions, and balms, which may be for your face or your body.
When looking at CBD and skincare, you'll come across a few different terms:
- CBD — a non-psychoactive compound found in the cannabis plant that has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, making it beneficial for reducing redness and promoting healthy skin.
- Hemp seed oil — derived from the hemp plant, this oil is rich in essential fatty acids and antioxidants, making it beneficial for moisturizing and nourishing the skin.
- THC — a psychoactive compound found in the cannabis plant, this ingredient shouldn't be used in skincare products.
While CBD and hemp seed oil are both derived from the cannabis plant, they do not contain THC and are non-psychoactive, making them safe and legal to use in skincare products!
Why Is CBD Good For Your Skin?
Here's why CBD has become such a popular ingredient in skincare:
- CBD Has Anti-Inflammatory Properties
CBD has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, and research shows that CBD may be beneficial for people with inflammatory skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, acne, and psoriasis.
If you want to understand the science behind it — inflammation is a natural immune response that happens throughout the body in response to an irritant. When CBD is absorbed into your body, it binds to receptor sites in the skin's immune cells, reducing their activation and subsequent inflammatory response. As a result, using topical CBD creams or lotions can help soothe and calm sensitive skin, reducing redness, itching, and irritation.
A CBD body oil can provide daily repair and protection for irritated skin — when infused with natural ingredients, a lightweight oil can soothe your skin without leaving any greasy residue behind.
Learn more about the benefits of CBD body oil here.
- CBD Reduces the Signs of Ageing
CBD has various anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties which help to protect the skin from free radicals that cause ageing — this includes the free radical damage that comes from UV rays, pollution, and stress. Its antioxidant properties can help reduce pigmentation issues like age spots, too.
Perhaps most importantly, CBD can also promote collagen production, which keeps skin firm and elastic and can help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Additionally, CBD can improve skin hydration and reduce the damage caused by environmental factors, which helps give you a more radiant, youthful glow.
- CBD Balances Oil Production
CBD can also help regulate oil production in the skin. This is because of its powerful anti-inflammatory properties — CBD can actually have a calming effect on the skin cells that control sebum production. As a result, CBD is a great addition to a skincare routine for acne-prone and oily skin types.
- CBD Hydrates and Soothes
CBD is also well known for its moisturizing and nourishing properties, making it a great ingredient for keeping skin hydrated and healthy. Along with regulating oil production and reducing inflammation, it helps to increase moisture retention, which means that it can keep the skin hydrated by locking in moisture.
When used in a rich formula (like this CBD Body Butter from MotherSage), it's perfect for soothing severely dry and dehydrated skin.
- CBD Improves Skin Texture
CBD can help improve skin texture by promoting skin cell regeneration — it speeds up the renewal of skin cells, which not only makes your complexion appear more fresh and youthful, but also helps to reduce the appearance of cellulite, scars, and stretch marks.
A CBD body lotion may be an effective anti-cellulite treatment, especially if it contains other skin-firming ingredients like antioxidants and fatty acids. MotherSage's anti-cellulite gel is enriched with CBD, hemp seed oil, vitamin E, and caffeine to help reduce the appearance of cellulite. The reason it's so effective is that it combines CBD with a patented Iso-Slim Complex — a collagen-boosting formula that promotes the breakdown of fat and improves skin elasticity, strength, and smoothness.
Choosing the Right CBD Skincare Product for Your Skin Type
CBD has a wide range of benefits that can help every skin type, but it's important to look at the other ingredients and consistency of the product you are using, to make sure it's right for you. Here's what you should look for:
- Oily & acne-prone skin — choose a lightweight, non-greasy formula with other balancing ingredients like clay, niacinamide, tea tree, or salicylic acid.
- Dry skin — choose a rich CBD balm with hydrating ingredients like shea butter, jojoba oil, or hyaluronic acid.
- Sensitive skin — enjoy the soothing benefits of CBD in an oil, balm, or cream that's made with other gentle ingredients (avoid harsh ingredients like fragrances or alcohol).
- Ageing skin — look for CBD combined with other collagen-boosting ingredients like peptides, vitamin C, or retinol to help firm your skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
CBD Combinations & Interactions
Creating the perfect skin care routine can be tricky, and you always have to be mindful of an ingredient's potential interactions with other active ingredients in your lineup. Fortunately, CBD is a very safe and non-reactive ingredient, so it's easy to pair with pretty much any other product.
CBD is safe to use in the same skincare routine with:
- Retinol — CBD can help soothe the irritation caused by retinol. If using CBD and retinol together, avoid using any exfoliating acids or vitamin C in the same routine.
- Ceramides, hyaluronic acid — CBD, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides are a match made in heaven, and this trio will help repair the skin barrier and lock in moisture to soothe dry skin.
- Niacinamide — CBD and niacinamide (vitamin B3) are a great combo for acne-prone and oily skin types, as they both work to regulate oil production and calm redness.
- Vitamin C — CBD and vitamin C work well together in topical skincare products, as both have antioxidant effects that can help brighten your skin tone and protect against environmental stressors.
- AHAs & BHAs — CBD can help hydrate and replenish your skin after you use exfoliating acids like salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and lactic acid.
Does CBD Skincare Have Any Side Effects?
Although CBD is generally recognised as safe for all skin types, as with any skincare ingredient, there are some precautions to take. Potential side effects include:
- Allergic reactions — CBD skincare products can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in some individuals, so it's always a good idea to patch-test any new skincare product you want to try.
- Interactions with medications — CBD may interact with other medications, so it's important to consult a healthcare professional if you're already using some topical skincare medications.
- Pregnancy & breastfeeding — it's generally recommended to avoid CBD while pregnant or breastfeeding.
When choosing a CBD product, always check the label and make sure that the product contains no THC. And as with any skincare product, it's important to research your options and purchase from reputable brands that use high-quality ingredients.
CBD Skincare: The Bottom Line
CBD skincare has gained immense popularity for good reason. Its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and moisturizing properties make it a valuable addition to any skincare routine. Whether you're dealing with inflammatory skin conditions like eczema or acne, looking to reduce the signs of aging, balance oil production, or simply improve your skin texture and hydration, CBD can offer therapeutic benefits for a wide variety of skin concerns.
MotherSage offers a range of high-quality skincare products, formulated with only the best natural ingredients and premium CBD to get the best results for your skin. We want you to experience the healing properties of CBD for your skin, without any harsh chemicals or irritants.
If you're new to CBD skincare, a good place to start is the CBD Body Skincare Set — it contains our award-winning Anti-Cellulite Gel, Body Butter, and Body Oil to tone, hydrate, and protect your skin (at a 10% discount, too!).
