If you have taken a trip down to your local pharmacy or health store recently, you may have noticed that many of the skincare products now contain an ingredient called ‘CBD’. But what exactly is CBD and CBD creams and where does it actually come from? Is the massive buzz surrounding it actually backed up with any real science that proves its reputed benefits for the skin?
In this post, we take a look at what all the fuss is about regarding the hottest new CBD skincare products on the market. When it comes to CBD cream, there are many types available in Canada fortunately. With the rate of innovations, it seems CBD balms and salves are being added regularly.
3 Simple Skin Conditions CBD Cream Is Helping With
CBD: A Brief Introduction
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a derivative of the cannabis plant which is now legal in Canada. It is one of the 113 difference cannabinoids that are found in abundance in cannabis and hemp. The most famous of these cannabinoids is THC, the compound which is famous for producing the ‘high’ sensation that is loved by recreational users of cannabis.
While CBD works on the body in much the same way as THC, it possesses none of its psychoactive properties. Nonetheless, it still has some potent pharmacological effects for people who take it, but these effects are limited to health benefits rather than highs.
CBD for Pain and Inflammation
One of the main reasons the CBD is being used more and more in the skincare industry is because of its capacity to reduce pain and inflammation. To understand the theory behind the way CBD works to do this, it is first necessary to understand a little about the endocannabinoid system (ECS).
The ECS was discovered in the early 1990s by scientists looking into the effects of cannabis on the human body. Made up of endocannabinoid receptors which are located in the nervous system and throughout the body, the ECS is a cell-signalling system that is thought to be responsible for regulating a number of fundamental bodily functions. Among these functions are pain and inflammation.
CBD is known to interact positively with the cannabinoid receptors in the body. There is growing evidence that it stimulates and strengthens the ECS, helping the body to regulate pain and immune functions like inflammation. These properties form the basic logic behind the practice of adding CBD to topical creams.
CBD as an Antioxidant
Like most products that contain ingredients derived from plants, CBD is a powerful antioxidant. It is rich in fatty acids like omega 3 and vitamins A, D and E. These substances are great at moisturizing and keeping skin soft. They also act as antioxidants, eliminating harmful free radicals from pollution and other molecules in the environment that can damage the skin.
Common Skin Conditions That Are Treatable with CBD Topicals
CBD is now a common ingredient for a whole range of cosmetic skin products. However, CBD Cream is not only used to maintain healthy and good-looking skin; it is also great for targeting chronic skin conditions and can be used as an option and replacement.
Eczema
Eczema is a chronic skin condition that manifests in itchy, red patches that can appear in many places around the body. It is extremely common, but sufferers often struggle to find a skincare product that provides effective relief to the irritating and unsightly sores caused by the condition. Many people are prescribed steroid cream to help with this, which can then result in topical steroid withdrawal, hence why those suffering from the condition struggle to find the right product for them.
CBD has significant skin-calming properties that make it an effective treatment for eczema. CBD creams have the capacity to reduce the inflammation and itching of eczema sores, providing significant relief for sufferers.
Psoriasis
Manifesting in dry and scaly skin, psoriasis is a common chronic skin condition that often appears in itchy and inflamed patches on the elbow and other places on the body. The causes of the condition are not well understood, but psoriasis is thought to occur as the result of the body’s immune function.
Through its interaction with the ECS, CBD is now thought to address imbalances in immune function that causes conditions like psoriasis. As medical science has begun to recognize property, a range of CBD ointments and balms specifically designed to treat psoriasis is emerging. An increasing number of psoriasis sufferers are now getting relief from these products due to the fantastic calming anti-inflammatory properties of CBD.
Acne
Typically affecting people in adolescence, acne is a chronic skin condition that occurs when hair follicles become clogged with oil and dead skin. The condition results in unsightly spots and pimples on the face and neck that can be sore, severely knock a person’s self-confidence and leave scarring.
CBD creams have recently emerged as a novel treatment for acne. Its powerful anti-inflammatory properties can soothe the spots, and CBD is also thought to reduce the production of the sebum that causes the follicles to clog and get infected.
The Final Word
CBD creams represent one of the fastest-growing sectors of the skincare industry. CBD is a powerful antioxidant that is great for boosting general skin health and shine. Since CBD is known to have significant anti-inflammatory properties, it is also the perfect treatment for most chronic skin conditions.
The CBD skincare industry is only really just taking off. However, as the benefits of CBD continue to be researched and the availability of the compound increases, we can expect to see more and more innovative CBD products flooding the market in the future. Check your local beautician or skincare specialist to see the range of CBD creams that they have in stock today.
