Beauty 101: Are CBD Products Worth the Hype?

From mascaras that promise more supple lashes to anti-aging serums meant to plump the skin, cannabis beauty products are becoming all the rage as more and more companies catch on to cannabinoid extract’s newly-proven benefits. With popular mall stores including The Body Shop carrying hemp-infused lotions and hipster brands like Malin+Goetz pushing out fancy CBD hair pomade — not to mention the dozens of posh new CBD lines (like Foria, Vertly, and Cannuka) and chic retailers like Fleur Marché (a “cannabis apothecary”) asking us to “re-think cannabis” — we can expect a slew of beauty and skincare manufacturers to jump on the trend in the coming months.

CBD and hemp beauty products aren’t necessarily new. For thousands of years, cannabis was used as a folklore remedy for easing pain, sore joints, pimples, and as an anti-inflammatory. Today, beyond a proliferation of CBD-infused lotions for inflamed and aching muscles, the beauty world is sparking up an array of new uses for cannabis and new products including cannabis body creams, anti-aging oils, face washes, face masks, lip balms, and even CBD bath bombs.

Most of these — topical, skin-boosting — beauty products (at least those from reputable brands) contain cannabinoid extract (CBD) extracted from the hemp plant, or CBD oil most typically from cannabis sativa plants, a sub-strain of the cannabis plant. Unlike THC, CBD is a non-psychoactive part of the plant and doesn’t get you high. But it has the power to calm, reduce stress, ease pain and inflammation, and generally achieve a healthy effect on the skin, making it a prime candidate for beauty products. Just like other skin care products including oils from nature, it’s the natural fatty acids and antioxidants in CBD and hemp seed oil that support skin and complexions in two main ways:

The Two Main Benefits of CBD Beauty Products

CBD Beauty Products Fight Signs of Aging

Perhaps most appealing for the general beauty market, studies with live mice suggest that CBD has the ability to slow visible signs of aging, as an anti-aging agent. In addition, when used topically, CBD has a soothing effect on the skin. This, along with its anti-inflammatory properties, makes cannabinoid extract an appealing ingredient in face creams and other CBD anti-aging products for calming puffiness; stimulating collagen, which smoothes skin; reducing wrinkles; and moisturizing dry skin (including helping eczema). Anecdotally, people using cannabis beauty products are seeing great results.

CBD Beauty Products Treat Acne Breakouts

Studies show that CBD helps regulate overactive sebaceous glands, a main cause of acne. From occasional-but-powerful pimple eruptions to chronic acne and rosacea, inflammation is the underlying cause of many skin issues, from highly annoying to serious. So CBD-infused, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant-rich cannabis face creams, serums, masks, and other beauty products are gaining a bigger and bigger audience, especially as they soothe as well as smooth with pain-relieving properties, an added benefit for painful skin issues such as acne.

Studies show that CBD-infused skin care products are having great results in helping improve acne by preventing damaged cells from spreading and actually encouraging production of new skin cells. This is because, as with any other skin wound, when acne occurs, our body’s immune system reduces the risk of infection and seals the wound by producing collagen fibers. CBD oil has been found to regulate this healing process in a more structured way for less scarring. As a powerful antioxidant, CBD oil also promotes healing in a smooth fashion.

Bonus Benefit: Stress Reduction
With CDB also having a calming effect, CBD-infused skin care products can help reduce the stress that often goes hand-in-hand with a variety of skin issues. An array of topical patches, soaps, body oils, bath bombs, and tinctures all promise relief from daily anxiety and a sense of overall calm — which, if they can’t eradicate wrinkles and acne, may prevent them from happening in the first place.