Everything You Need to Know About CBD Skincare

İsmet Acar — Mon, 25 Jan 2021 18:43:32 +0000

Plus, the best CBD skincare products for every skin type.

You’ve likely noticed that CBD — which stands for cannabidiol, a compound found in cannabis plants — has started to make its way into skincare, with the buzzy ingredient cropping up in everything from moisturizers to deodorant (yes, deodorant!). While once-niche CBD might be ubiquitous these days, chances are, you still have a lot of questions about it.

“Most CBD products are marketed for general relaxation purposes,” says DiAnne Davis, M.D., FAAD.. You’ve probably heard of CBD helping a wide variety of different ailments — it’s been touted to help relieve seizures, ease migraine pain, reduce anxiety, and more — so what’s it doing in your skincare? Dermatologists and our Good Housekeeping Beauty Lab scientists explain.

What does CBD do for your skin?

It’s a little murky. “While the FDA has approved a purified form of CBD as a prescription drug for two severe seizure disorders, there’s very limited data on the safety CBD as used in consumer products including cosmetics and foods,” says Birnur Aral, Ph.D., director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab. Some of the preliminary findings on CBD skincare benefits are:

It can reduce inflammation. “There has been some research to indicate that CBD can have positive effects on combatting skin inflammation, acne, eczema, tissue scarring and even melanoma,” says Aral. CBD also contains terpenes, which could be useful in skincare. “There is some research to indicate that [terpenes] can have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits on skin,” says Aral.

It may relieve itchy skin. “Current research shows the most promise for cannabinoids in the treatment of itch,” Dr. Davis says. “All of this research is in the very early stages so there is not concrete evidence available yet for us to interpret.”

It may help treat psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and other medical conditions of the skin, but more evidence is needed for these benefits: “Most of these benefits fall under a medical benefit and generalizing CBD as being ‘good for skin’ is premature,” says Aral.

Are there any side effects to CBD in skincare?

First and foremost, it can’t get you high. “CBD is a derivative of the marijuana plant,” Dr. Davis. “Marijuana contains THC, which produces the psychoactive effects.” Marijuana can contain 17–28% THC, while CBD contains much lower levels. “The CBD hemp extracts from reliable sources have THC levels less than 0.3%, which makes them non-intoxicating,” explains Aral.

“[The] FDA advises that consumers consult with their healthcare providers before they start using any products containing CBD, as it is questioning side effects that can result from long term use such as liver damage or interactions with other drugs that a person is taking,” Aral says. “These concerns include skincare products, as how much CBD is absorbed through the skin is not well established.”

Are CBD skincare products safe?

“While the 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp extracts from the definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act, CBD products are still subject to the same laws and requirements as FDA-regulated products,” Aral explains. However, Dr. Davis says that “findings from CBD studies indicate that some products may not actually contain the amount of CBD listed on the package.”

Moreover, some products contained a good amount of THC, says Dr. Davis. While you cannot get high from applying a lotion or lip balm, this finding suggests it can be difficult to know exactly what you’re getting when you buy a product that contains CBD. As Aral noted, since there’s such limited data on CBD’s safety in consumer products like skincare, at this time, neither Dr. Davis nor the Good Housekeeping Institute recommend CBD skincare products.

How can I decode CBD claims?

There are so many CBD products out there that it can be confusing to sort through them all. If you do decide you want to give CBD skincare products a try, these are some of the most common terms you may find on a label, decoded by our experts (though keep in mind, these terms are not legally regulated):

“Full-spectrum” refers to extracts that contain mostly CBD, but also have minor cannabinoids (this can include THC). These are usually only present at 1% or less. If THC is present in this low amount, it will not alter the mind. These cannabinoids may even be important to include, since they’re believed to all work together.

“Broad-spectrum” means that THC has been removed to the lowest practical quantity. This is likely to make sure it can meet legal requirements across countries and states, as they vary greatly.

“Isolate” is the purified crystal precipitate form of CBD, an extremely pure version of CBD. Unlike most versions of CBD, an isolate does not contain any THC.

“Sustainably sourced” is a vague way to describe CBD (or any crop), according to Aral. “To understand if a crop is sustainable raised and harvested and extracted, the manufacturer needs to show that they have minimized energy and water use and waste generation, among other things,” she explains. “Therefore, without proper vetting of the manufacturing and distribution practices, it is unlikely that a lay consumer will be able to discern if one CBD extract is made more sustainably than another.” TLDR: Don’t buy into this claim.

Treating With Serums & Moisturizing

İsmet Acar — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 20:53:08 +0000

Simply put, serums are powerful skin allies. Filled with concentrated doses of active ingredients, these elixirs can mitigate a number of issues, from dark spots to wrinkles. “Even if you don’t have any specific issues, everyone still needs a general antioxidant serum in the morning to protect from daily aggressors. While there are “limitless options” for ingredients, singles out her hardworking favorites. To handle specific issues, look for these products:

Hyaluronic acid to seal in hydration and strengthen the barrier function (the top layer of your skin) to prevent moisture loss.
Vitamin C to help brighten dull skin and decrease dark spots with continued use.
Retinol, vitamin B3, peptides to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, proteins in the body that help prevent lines and skin sagging.
Colloidal sulfur, niacinamide to calm redness and irritation by decreasing inflammation, and improve acne with its antimicrobial effects.

Helpful Hints and Pointers

If you have multiple concerns, you might want to use multiple formulas. “I recommend treating different areas with different products “Maybe you’ll use a vitamin C serum all over but then dab on [another] for hyperpigmentation on just a few spots.” Just run any combination by your dermatologist to avoid any potential reactions.

To save time, don’t try mixing a serum into your moisturizer. This “lessens the ability of the serum to absorb effectively. “Products should be applied one by one.”

Not all serums are applied with the same frequency. “This varies with the ingredients.“I prefer antioxidants in the morning because they give you additional protection from the environment, and most of us don’t use enough sunscreen as is. Yet certain ingredients are best when slathered on at night. For example: “Retinols are not sun-stable and will degrade if applied in daytime.

The most basic function of a moisturizer is to hydrate and soften the skin. “Essentially, moisturizers assist in preventing water loss through the outer layers of skin,“They can also complement the naturally found protective oils and other building blocks within the skin, such as ceramides.” This is one product that doctors recommend using year-round, for all skin types. “Skin naturally loses the ability to retain moisture as we age,“and daily activities, such as washing, can strip natural hydrators from the surface.”

How to Pick a Moisturizer

“Everyone needs moisture, but the texture of your moisturizer will differ depending on your skin type. Consider this your cheat-sheet.

The Difference Between a Day and Night Cream

Creams you apply in the morning are equipped to protect your skin from the environmental aggressors you’ll face when you leave the house—many contain antioxidants to minimize pollution-based free radicals and sunscreen to shield you from ultraviolet radiation. They typically have a lightweight consistency. Night creams, on the other hand, focus on repairing any damage you might have picked up with ingredients like retinol to speed cellular turnover and counteract dark spots. These creams also replenish moisture levels, which naturally dip in the evening, with emollients that often create a rich, thick texture.

Eye Creams, Explained

Can you survive without an eye cream? Absolutely. But, if you have specific concerns — like hyperpigmentation, dryness or puffiness — you might want to try one. “The skin around the eyes is quite thin and delicate, and more likely to react to irritating ingredients than other areas. “Therefore, dermatologists typically recommend an eye cream that considers the potential sensitivity and has more tolerable concentrations of active ingredients.”