Our skin is our first line of defense against harmful bacteria and viruses. But, in reality, how well do we take care of it? For the most part, when we have damaged or problem skin, we turn to a dermatologist to prescribe us medications that may prove questionable for our overall well-being. This is why many individuals have turned to alternate options such as Topical CBD oil for skin care, including beauty products, as a great way to relieve some of our most problematic and common skin concerns.
Let’s take an in-depth look at how CBD products can improve the health of our skin, as well as what types of skin conditions are most effectively alleviated by CBD.
How Does CBD Work on Our Skin?
The skin is the largest organ of the body. It is the outer layer that covers the entirety of our bodies, including our muscles, bones, and vital organs. Skin is water-resistant, which protects us from losing too much moisture, thus regulating and insulating the body’s core temperature. Skin also acts as an agent to absorb and store vital nutrients such as Vitamin D, Vitamin B, and oxygen. (1)
Cannabidiol, or CBD, may be a significant alternative to medical procedures for individuals seeking to relieve specific skin problems. Although ingestible CBD products are an efficient and effective way to receive the benefits of CBD without feeling the “highs” of typical cannabis products, in the case of skin conditions, it is highly recommended to utilize CBD topicals.
CBD has been found to help soothe common skin conditions such as inflammation, itching and burning, bug bites, infections, and scrapes and wounds. When our skin encounters potential pathogens, it becomes inflamed to protect the body against those irritants. (2) Skin that is inflamed gains the most significant CBD benefits.
Due to the anti-inflammatory properties of cannabinoids, CBD products have the upper hand in warding off the irritation that comes with inflammation. Studies on the effectiveness of cannabinoids against skin irritation confirm the promising role of CBD, especially topical CBD oil, in skin inflammation. (3) Inflammation is common in conditions where your skin displays extreme dryness, rashes, sores, and redness.
With additional benefits such as omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, CBD has a fantastic track record for improving your overall skin health. CBD topical products also usually contain a moisturizing compound known as GLA, or gamma-linolenic acid, which is a form of omega-6 fatty acid. When it’s applied to inflamed skin, you may experience satisfactory relief. This natural form of therapy allows your skin to heal without adding harmful toxins that may have adverse side effects, like those that occur with the use of steroids.
Effectiveness of CBD for Skin Conditions
CBD skin-care products can be effective in alleviating the symptoms of a range of skin conditions with regular usage. Are you affected by any of these issues?
Pimple-Prone Skin, Clogged Pores, and Blackheads
You may have thought that finding a pimple in the middle of your forehead on picture day was a problem you only had to deal with in your teens. However, as many of us who have grown up since can agree, clogged pores and blackheads, which lead to pimples, will occasionally strike regardless of which stage of life you may be in. It is a pervasive part of our reality, as it can be induced by stress and irritation in the body. According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, 80 percent of young adults and teens have suffered from skin breakouts at some point in their lives. (4) Basically, anyone can get pimples, because it is a widespread skin condition resulting from untreated clogged pores.
Medications, especially prescriptions, for our pimples and clogged pores, can have harsh side effects on our overall skin health. Some formulas may be too potent for sensitive skin, thus causing more damage. Other topical medications may be wrong for the type of clogged pores and blackheads you have. However, some people have found that when they apply CBD products to their skin, the first benefit they notice is the decrease in the harsh appearance and size of a blemish.
Inflammation of the area also decreases in CBD application, allowing skin to return to its original state without the potential of scarring. Following the recommendation to drink plenty of water and use topical CBD oil before bed, many sufferers of facial blemishes have ultimately found a natural relief to a problem that is both irritating and embarrassing.
Rashes and Extremely Dry Skin Conditions
Other skin conditions in which skin can experience excellent benefits with the regular use of CBD products are rashes and extremely dry skin. For some individuals, a stressed immune system can often cause skin to overreact and turn into rashes that are dry and itchy, similar to those experienced with eczema. These rashes affect over 30 million Americans, especially children. (5) Dry, easily irritated skin can be hereditary, and there is no cure for sensitive skin that breaks out in rashes as a result of an overactive immune system.
When our skin is exposed to allergens or when we experience stress or changes in our hormones and anxiety, our skin may react by producing an annoying rash. Our skin is especially prone to rashes from allergic reactions after having touched something, such as chemicals that are harmful to our skin, poison oak and ivy, or even strong soaps and scents. Inflammation is the primary reaction, but it can progress to swelling with bumps that ooze fluids and eventually crust over. Most allergic skin conditions begin at the back of the knees and arms and at any folds on your body where skin may rub together and cause irritation.
The best way to avoid breakouts of rashes and extremely dry skin is to know what you are allergic to and to keep hydrated, especially during extremely dry weather. However, as most skin problems are not contagious and are actually quite common, hemp oil for skin is hugely beneficial in soothing skin that is already irritated. With the use of topical cannabis oil on a regular basis, flare-ups of rashes and dry skin patches can be prevented or calmed down more quickly. Many CBD topicals contain coconut oil, essential oils, and shea butter to provide extra moisturization. Users have found CBD topicals to be extremely helpful in keeping dry or irritated patches from becoming painful rashes. The topicals can also give temporary relief from the inflammation and irritation.
Extreme cases can usually be resolved within a week with consistent usage of a CBD topical. Compared to over-the-counter medications, which have additional properties that can further irritate the skin, cannabidiol oil is all-natural with ingredients that are meant to soothe.
Flaky and Patchy Skin
There are a few common issues in which the surface of your skin may have the appearance of scales with patches of redness. These patches can become incredibly itchy to the point of being painful. They can range from a few spots of red lesions to full-on coverage of entire limbs of dry, cracked skin that may bleed. They may be ongoing, coming and going for a few weeks to months at a time, and there is no cure. Individuals plagued by patchiness and discoloration may only have the option of managing flare-ups by lifestyle changes, moisturizing, and being careful of their diets and stress levels.
There are a few skin problems, including psoriasis, where the skin cells in the affected area speed up in regeneration, causing the cells to grow an overage of skin too quickly. Within days, skin cells can build up and become patches of scales until treated. Many in the medical community consider these skin conditions to be connected to autoimmune diseases, and local steroid injections are often the most prevalent treatment, but these come with a range of side effects.
For flaky and patchy skin, topical CBD oil provides a significant amount of moisture to the affected site to heal broken and cracked skin. The anti-inflammatory properties of cannabidiol relieve the flaking and burning of patchy skin, reducing redness and dryness almost immediately. As infections or injury to your skin can cause flare-ups, the antioxidant components of CBD oil can also alleviate the infection that worsens the conditions.(6)
Bug bites and Itchy Skin
With the properties of calming inflamed skin and providing relief to itchy skin, perhaps CBD topicals are best suited to alleviating bug bites and general itchy skin with seasonal changes. For individuals who have a hard time finding the right fit to relieve them of annoying itches, cannabidiol oil may be a viable option.
For bug bites and itchy skin, CBD oil benefits of antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties start to work at the site by calming your body’s immune response. One study by the dermatology department at the University of Colorado, School of Medicine, found that eight out of the 21 patients that applied cannabinoid creams twice a day for three weeks noticed a significant improvement in their severely itchy skin. (7)
Sores and Bumps
This next skin condition, common amongst people with fair and sensitive skin, is characterized by pus and fluid-filled bumps that cause redness on the face. This particular skin disorder is relatively severe and is directly linked to a person’s autoimmune system. It affects over 16 million Americans, and it exclusively impacts the sensitive areas on the face such as the cheeks, nose, around the eyes, and chin.
Skin flare-ups characterized by sores and bumps, similar to rosacea, cannot be cured. They can only be managed, due to the condition’s hereditary nature. People who have a disrupted immune response are more likely to have more recurring inflammation when the sores erupt. Outbreaks are often initiated by hormonal imbalances and diet changes. Triggers can also include alcohol, spicy foods, smoke, too much heat, and emotional stressors. Many individuals often mistake their sores and bumps for sunburns or acne, as they share many of the same symptoms. Trying to cover them up only makes it worse; prompt and proper treatment is needed instead.
The use of hemp oil soap and other topicals, along with a diet rich in healthy fats, has been found to provide the best relief for outbreaks of sores and itchy bumps. Your skin may receive the most benefits from cannabinoid creams versus the inhalation of cannabis smoke. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties help retain moisture and protect against the sun when CBD-infused topicals are used on a regular basis.
Fix Your Problem Skin with Healthy Hemp Oil
CBD-infused skin care can act as a tremendous source of protection and relief, and the Healthy Hemp Oil online store stocks all the topical products you need to help your skin look and feel its best. Remember to always consult your doctor first to be sure your skin issue isn’t dangerous or contagious.
Having learned the five most common skin conditions that can be alleviated by cannabidiol products, what other types of skin conditions do you think may be relieved by CBD topicals? Let us know by commenting below!
FDA Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products sold by Healthy Hemp Oil are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information on our website is intended to provide general information regarding our products and is not to be construed as medical advice or instruction. Read more