It's in chocolate. It's in cocktails. It's in candles and now you can even find it in cosmetic skincare. We're talking about CBD.
This buzzy-worthy ingredient has taken over the skincare industry. These days you can find all kinds of skincare products from lotions to potions and everything in between that contain CBD.
If you're considering jumping on the CBD cosmetic skincare bandwagon, keep reading to learn the truth about CBD for cosmetic skincare.
What Is CBD?
CBD is the common name for cannabidiol. This is a naturally occurring chemical compound found in cannabis plants. Cannabis is the fancy name given to marijuana and hemp plants.
CBD is one of the two active ingredients of cannabis. The other active ingredient is THC. THC is the psychoactive ingredient that gets people high.
Unlike THC, CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid. Simply put, you can't get high from CBD.
Research has shown CBD to be useful in treating a variety of ailments including anxiety, pain, insomnia, seizures, and depression.
CBD is an essential component of marijuana but it derives from the hemp plant. According to the World Health Organization CBD exhibits no effects indicative of abuse or potential dependence. To date, there is no evidence of public health problems that arise from pure CBD usage.
A long-term study of CBD found that it may also help protect against cognitive decline as we age. There has also been some research that suggests CBD may also be an effective treatment for substance abuse disorders.
Brain Chemistry
Our brains contain neurons and each neuron connects to others through a structure called synapses. Synapses are how neurons communicate. They send chemical messages known as neurotransmitters.
A neuron's sensitivity to a specific neurotransmitter depends on it fits the receptor site. This works much like a wall socket and a plug. Some neurons contain receptors that match other specific neurotransmitters.
If they fit, the chemical message transmits in the brain. If they don't fit, it can't. All neurons contain multiple neurotransmitter receptors that allow them to send or receive their chemical messages.
Our brain receptors are sensitive to neurotransmitters that are produced within our brain like serotonin and dopamine. They are also receptive to chemical messages that are produced outside of our bodies such as CBD.
Your Brain On CBD
When CBD enters your body it travels through your bloodstream and ends up in your brain. In the brain, these plant-derived compounds can interact with receptors on neurons.
They don't interact with all of your brain's neurons, just the specific ones that have the appropriate receptors to receive their chemical messages.
Although CBD is a cannabinoid it does not interact with the two classic cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2. This is why CBD is non-intoxicating. CBD can increase levels of the body's own naturally-produced cannabinoids.
It does this by stopping the enzymes that break our naturally produced cannabinoids down in the body.
If that wasn't intriguing enough CBD can also influence non-cannabinoid receptor sites in the brain. It interacts with receptors that are sensitive to a variety of drugs and neurotransmitters.
These include receptors like opioid receptors known for playing a role in the regulation of pain and dopamine receptors which play an important role in cognition and behavior.
There are some intriguing questions that researchers are working on including to what degree does CBD have the ability to influence either opioid or dopamine receptors. We can't say for sure at this point what the research will show but the interactions do look promising to say the least.
Is CBD Legal?
Let's get down to brass tacks. Is CBD legal? It can be the most promising molecule in the world but if it isn't legal it won't do us much good.
In 2018, lawmakers passed the 2018 Farm Bill which legalized industrial hemp and products made from industrial hemp. The hemp must contain less than 0.3% THC to be legal.
Now, CBD is legal for purchase in all 50 states. While the federal government still classified CBD in the same category as marijuana, it doesn't enforce this law. People can obtain CBD online without a prescription or a medical cannabis license.
CBD Benefits In Cosmetic Skincare
Known for its medicinal and healing properties CBD offers some serious anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits. These can be very beneficial in treating skin concerns like inflammation, dryness, and damage that's caused by free radicals.
Usage of CBD for acne also shows promising results. CBD can help fight the production of sebum in the skin and reduce acne significantly. Additional studies are being done on the effects of CBD in treating eczema and psoriasis as well.
While the research we have on CBD is limited, CBD is considered safe to use topically. There is absolutely no harm in applying CBD-infused products to your skin. If you do happen to have a reaction from the product, it's likely from a different ingredient in the product and not the CBD itself.
Before you begin using CBD in cosmetic skincare it is a good idea to talk to your dermatologist. Let him know of any conditions you are experiencing and ask questions. Some questions you may ask include:
- What is the proper dosage of CBD for treating your specific skin condition?
- How does CBD interact with any medications that you are currently taking?
- What are the possible side effects of applying CBD products to the skin?
Your dermatologist will be able to answer these questions and any other questions you may have before you begin a CBD beauty regime.
Choosing a CBD Skin Care Product
All CBD-infused cosmetic skincare products are created using either full-spectrum CBD oil, broad-spectrum CBD oil, or CBD isolate. Let's break this down a little more to help you understand.
Full-spectrum CBD oil contains compounds besides CBC that are found in the hemp plant. These compounds are trace amounts of THC, flavonoids, and other natural compounds.
Broad-spectrum CBD oil contains a range of compounds like flavonoids, cannabinoids, but does not contain THC. CBD isolate is the purest version of CBD and it doesn't contain any other compounds found in the hemp plant. It is 100% isolated CBD compounds.
CBD isolate is considered to be the best for facial skin. This is because it is the purest and doesn't contain any other compounds that may block your pores. It is also packed with rejuvenating ingredients and antioxidants to give your skin a boost.
When choosing a product look for packages that are marked "cannabidiol", "broad-spectrum CBD", or "hemp CBD". Be aware that hemp seed oil or cannabis sativa seed oil is not the same thing as CBD oil.
CBD oil comes from the flowers and the leaves of the plant, not the seed. Hemp seeds tend to be a bit greasier.
Determine The Purity and Concentration
Next, you will need to determine the amount of CBD in the product and the purity levels of that CBD. If you are thinking about adding a CBD cosmetic skincare product to your routine for its pain-relieving or anti-anxiety effects, it's a good idea to use a product that contains a higher percentage of CBD.
But, it's also important to consider the quality of that product as well. According to a 2017 study published in the Journal of American Medical Association over 60% of CBD products online are mislabeled. So how can you tell for sure what you are getting?
Well, you need to purchase from a brand that you can trust. If you are not sure about the brand check to see if they have any association with any third-parties that test quality and purity. This way you can always tell exactly what you are paying for.
Choose Organic Chemical-free Hemp
Another thing to consider is a hemp CBD product that was grown organically without pesticides, herbicides, or other chemicals. Chemicals that are sprayed onto the plant can enter the plant and therefore enter into the CBD oil that is extracted from the hemp plant.
Organically grown plants that are free from chemicals are the way to go for cosmetic skincare CBD products. You want to be able to put your full faith in this product that you are about to put on your face. If you can't do that then use a different product.
Choose a product that grows its hemp plants in the U.S. so you can be sure there isn't any water or soil pollution as well. Cheaper hemp grown in China may be contaminated. This is because many parts of China use mining practices that pollute the soil and the water.
When hemp is grown in these conditions the pollutants end up inside the hemp plants and also in your CBD oil. Unless you want heavy metals in your CDB products it is always a good idea to look for products that are grown in America.
Types of CBD Skin Care Products Available
Now, onto the fun part. There are so many types of cosmetic skin care products that contain CBD. You can visit 3Chi's homepage to see them all. Here is just a sample of some of the types of products you can purchase.
Skin Oils
If you are already using skin serums or oil on your face like chia seed oil, coconut oil, or even Aragon oil, then it would be easy to add CBD oil into your skincare routine. These oils are luxurious and lightweight but pack a pretty powerful antioxidant punch for your skin.
The great thing about using CBD oil for your skin is that it is fast-absorbing. To use simply wash and exfoliate your skin and then apply. The oil can soothe redness, protect skin from the sun, and lock in moisture leaving your skin looking refreshed.
There are many different types of oils to choose from. If you have sensitive skin look for an oil that is fragrance-free.Most of the time it's not the ingredients but the added fragrances that will cause sensitivity.
Lotions
There are many who raved about CBD-infused body and facial lotions. These lotions are made with rich ingredients like shea butter, coconut butter, and vitamins to moisturize and replenish your skin.
A broad-spectrum CBD lotion can soothe stressed skin and help repair free radical damage caused by the sun. Plus they come in some amazing scents like mint, sage, citrus, and many more!
Look for a fragrance-free lotion if you have sensitive skin or skin that is prone to breakouts.
Cleaners
If you are looking to add CBD oil to every part of your cosmetic skincare routine then you will definitely need a good CBD-infused cleaner. Cleaners feature blends of glycolic acid, lactic acid, and acne-reducing salicylic acid. You can get a formula to suit your needs.
Whether you are looking for a cleaner with anti-aging properties, moisturizing properties, or one to reduce oil, there is a CBD-infused cleanser for everyone.
Wash away dirt, pollution, and makeup without stripping your skin of its natural moisture. There are even exfoliating cleansers that will help you turn over dead skin cells and give your face a boost of new skin.
Masks and Peels
If masks and peels are the way you like to pamper yourself you can rest assured knowing that there are many different types of CBD masks and peels on the market.
Choose a face mask that is formulated with broad-spectrum hemp to deliver the most benefits.
These masks also include other ingredients like calming lavender, botanicals, and vitamins. Keep your face hydrated and your complexion bright with a CBD-infused facial mask.
Treat Yourself with CBD Cosmetic Skincare
If you've been thinking about adding a CBD-infused cosmetic skincare product to your daily beauty regime, now is a perfect time. There are so many products available to choose from. The results are looking promising for the treatment of acne and eczema.
So go ahead and treat yourself to a CBD-infused cosmetic skincare product today! If you enjoyed reading this article check out our other articles and give a boost to your luxurious lifestyle now.