Is CBD Oil the Next Big Thing?

If you’ve noticed the recent surge of CBD products popping up everywhere in the wellness and beauty world, you’re not alone. CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a naturally-occurring chemical compound found in the cannabis plant (like marijuana and hemp plants).

CBD is one of the primary active ingredients of cannabis, the other one being THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). Pure CBD is the non-psychoactive cannabinoid, and will not make you feel high, unlike THC which will have a psychoactive “high” effect on the body.

So why are you seeing CBD in so many skincare products? Turns out, CBD is a powerful antioxidant with many health and skin benefits. Plus, CBD is a strong anti-inflammatory, which can be beneficial in treating skin concerns like redness, dryness, inflammation, and damage from free radicals. On top of that, the healing properties of CBD may help to alleviate anxiety, chronic inflammation, pain, and even insomnia.

Here are reasons why people believe CBD is important:

1. Reduces Visible Signs of Aging

Antioxidants vitamins C and E have been popular for years in skin care, but skincare with CBD also has very powerful antioxidant properties. Antioxidants help protect the skin from free radicals and environmental damage like UV rays and pollution. Adding CBD to your skincare routine can also help neutralize free radicals and prolong your skin’s glow!

2. Soothes Your Complexion

Topical CBD has been shown to be a gentle, non-irritating ingredient and safe for all skin types. Using a topical CBD product can help soothe red, blotchy or irritated skin. For this reason, many Estheticians at Revive Med Spa in San Diego recommend products like Le Pragma Face Cream as a great post-treatment option.

3. Balances Skin

Your body already naturally produces its own cannabinoids called “endocannabinoids,” whose purpose is to support your endocannabinoid system and keep your skin in a happy, healthy and balanced state (also called homeostasis). When your endocannabinoid system isn’t balanced, your skin will appear dull, show more breakouts and irritations, appear itchy, dry or more oily than usual. Studies show that CBD might also help fight acne, treat eczema and even psoriasis!

Skin Problems CBD may help treat

The use of CBD oil for various skin issues has also been gaining a lot of attention. Your skin is the largest organ in your body and has its own endocannabinoid system where the CBD cannabinoid can binds, making it effective at potentially treating a wide range of skin problems.

• Psoriasis: Plaque Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition where skin cells build up and form scales that are  itchy, dry patches. Unfortunately, psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease that currently has no cure. However, there are different therapies and products that may help in treating the pesky symptoms.  Besides prescription-strength creams, psoriasis sufferers are often told to adjust their lifestyle, maintain a balanced diet and enjoy moderate exposure to the sun to hopefully control the symptoms. Now CBD is also becoming an increasingly popular natural remedy for psoriasis outbreaks and psoriasis sufferers have shown the effect it has on decelerating skin cell build-up. Because of CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties,  it may also soothe the uncomfortable psoriasis symptom of dry, itchy skin.
• Acne and Other Skin Impurities: Acne isn’t just a problem for teenagers anymore! Adult acne-related issues are a big skin concern for many. The most common causes of adult acne are hormonal imbalances, stress, an unhealthy diet, and improper skin care. Incorporating the Le Pragma 5-Step Skincare Set into your daily skincare routine could greatly improve any issues with adult related acne. Studies have shown that CBD may reduce the formation of sebum (the oily substance that keeps your skin and hair moisturized). Subsequently, the extra formation of sebum creates more oily skin and is the most common culprit of acne. CBD also has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help calm skin and even out skin tone.

The most important factor to consider is the quality of the product you’re buying. Look for products that mention “cannabidiol“, “hemp extract“, “broad-spectrum CBD“, “full-spectrum CBD” or “hemp CBD” on the label. Hemp seed oil or cannabis sativa seed oil isn’t the same thing as CBD oil and will not give you the same benefits as pure CBD!

Full-spectrum CBD

Full-spectrum CBD oils are the most common form of cannabis use for medicinal purposes. Full-spectrum CBD is derived from cannabis plants that include THC, the psychoactive element in the marijuana plant. Full-spectrum CBD is made up of hundreds of cannabinoids embedded in the cannabis plant, unlike CBD isolate products, which like the name implies, are isolated from the other compounds in the plant.

Fans of CBD products will say that full-spectrum is much better than CBD isolate products because they are more powerful when working together instead of individually to treat symptoms of various health issues.  Those elements include healing properties like protein, fiber, fatty acids, and rich essential vitamins. Because of this “better together” mentality, full-spectrum CBD oil is widely credited with helping treat the symptoms of medical conditions like anxiety, depression, muscle pain, migraines, among other conditions.

As the poor reputation of cannabis and hemp plants fade and more research develops regarding its benefits, you will definitely see more companies trying to harness the powers of CBD into skincare and wellness treatments. While THC is still illegal in many states, CBD and products that contain less than 0.3% THC are federally legal and nationally available. Because of this, expect a great rise in CBD products and people referring to CBD as the next big thing.