CBD, which is short for cannabidiol, is one of the many (80) compounds that are extracted from the cannabis sativa plant for a wide range of uses. When cannabis or marijuana comes to mind, its recreational and medicinal uses are most commonly thought of. The cannabinoid in medical and recreational marijuana is THC, which causes the mind-altering ‘high’, while CBD is an entirely different cannabinoid that provides highly effective pain relief and skincare benefits without the high.
CBD oil and its cousin hemp oil are both becoming more popular in the beauty industry, as more studies are published that confirm their powerful anti-inflammatory benefits in skincare as well as pain relief.
History of CBD
CBD and hemp are a hot trend today, but they have been used in oils and teas for centuries as a treatment for pain and other ailments - as far back as ancient China. Its popularity spread to Europe, where hemp was used to make paper products and clothing and CBD was used for treating coughs and even tumors. Some physicians even used it as an antibiotic. It was a popular treatment in the Middle East as well as with the Romans.
Hemp was a highly cultivated crop for eighteenth century farmers in the American colonies, and both George Washington and Thomas Jefferson grew it. The CBD was used by colonists for the treatment of pain, inflammation of the skin, coughs and even mental disorders.
Opiates pushed CBD and hemp to the sidelines when they were introduced around the turn of the century, and it wasn’t until around 100 years later in the 20th century that medicinal marijuana saw a resurgence.
Studies conducted by the International Association for Cannabinoid Medicine unveiled the many medicinal benefits of CBD, and it’s become more and more of a hot topic in health as well as beauty.
Today, cannabis is legal for medical purposes in 33 states, and 10 have legalized it for recreational use (plus Washington D.C.). The laws regarding the legal use of CBD oil have also been shifting and changing in the past couple of years, but cannabidiol is considered to be legal in every state. However, when taken medicinally as an ingested or topically applied treatment, it’s subject to the FDA controls for food and drugs. For beauty and skincare uses, CBD oil does not require premarket FDA approval, under the FD&C Act.
There is no question that the CBD industry overall is lucrative. A recent study by Cowen & Co showed that the American CBD market could reach $16 billion by 2025. The study showed that liquid extracts (oils and tinctures) account for the largest portion of the CBD market at 44 percent, with topicals for beauty and anti-inflammation accounting for 26 percent of the market. Capsules and beverages make up 22 percent and 19 percent, respectively.
That’s a massive opportunity for the beauty and skincare industry, made all the more appealing by the effectiveness and versatile uses of CBD oil.
[ Related: Anti-Aging Benefits from CBD ]
CBD Benefits for Skin
Cannabidiol has numerous benefits for your skin, both for beauty and treatment applications. Its popularity has prompted several studies, and evidence from those studies has shown that CBD oil is an effective treatment for psoriasis and eczema, dry skin, acne, and more. No wonder we’re seeing it in so many serums, face creams and body lotions!
The most prevalent benefits of CBD oil in skincare are:
Fights inflammation of the skin to treat redness, psoriasis and eczema- Moisturizes and soothes the skin
- Improves the skin’s moisture retention capability
- Anti-Aging properties reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- Protects and prevents damage from free radicals
- Slows the breakdown of collagen to improve the skin’s firmness and elasticity
- Suppresses breakouts by regulating the production of oil in the skin’s sebaceous glands
- Powerful and potent antioxidants help slow the aging process
- High contents of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
Fights inflammation of the skin to treat redness, psoriasis and eczema[ Related: Benefits of Copaíba & Hemp Oils for Skin ]
CBD Benefits for Pain, Anti-Aging, Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Oxidant properties
As we’ve mentioned on the blog before, CBD oil won’t get you high because it is made from a different part of the marijuana plant - there’s essentially no THC in CBD oil, which is the mind-altering element that causes the high. Also, because the human body naturally produces cannabinoids (endocannabinoids), CBD essentially augments your body’s pain-fighting capability.
The most enticing attributes of using CBD oil topically are its anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, and antipsychotic properties. These help reduce swelling, which is perfect for using on sore muscles after a vigorous workout or soothing achy or arthritic joints. Beyond the day-to-day pain relief offered with CBD, the oil can provide relief for chronic pain caused by diseases such as fibromyalgia. It’s even been approved for soothing pain from multiple sclerosis and cancer pain in Canada.
In addition to moisturizing and soothing pain, CBD oil adds that extra bit of relaxation when added to your massage lotion. Due to its high anti-inflammatory content, it also helps with skin irritation, redness, acne. Its high antioxidant properties give it anti-aging properties, especially when combined with other potent anti-aging ingredients.
What’s more, when ingested and taken internally, CBD binds with your body’s cannabinoid receptors to benefit your immune, hormonal and reproductive systems, while regulating and balancing your mood, sleep, appetite and more.
Weed Washing
Due to its popularity, many companies have started to add CBD to their skin and even hair care products.
Unfortunately, with little regulation, companies tend to “weed-wash” products. This is a term used to describe the act of simply adding a minuscule amount of CBD to a product just to be able to ride the “popularity of the ingredient”, but without adding any real benefit to the consumer..
Furthermore, there are many companies that simply add Hemp Oil to the product and call it a CBD product, Hemp oil is not the same as CBD oil and while it can provide many benefits, they are not the same.
How to Avoid Getting "Weed Washed"
The best way to avoid being a victim of “weed-washing” is becoming informed and learning how to read the labels. Things to watch for:
- Make sure the ingredient used is Cannibanoid instead of Hemp
- Understand the quantity being used, look for products that have at least 50mg of CBD in order to make sure you are being able to take advantage of its anti-inflammatory properties.
- If you are looking for anti-aging benefits, look for products with at least 100mg.
- If you are looking for mild pain relief and soothing, you should make sure you are looking for products with at least 200mg.
- If your main concern is localized, stronger pain relief, you should look for 500mg and higher.
- Aside from quantity, there is also % of active CBD per batch, make sure you look for %s of CBD per batch that is way north of 50%.
- Know your source, make sure the manufacturer is very clear on the source of CBD, there are many counterfeit sources which often times are lab-produced in China. Not only will you not get the full benefits of CBD for skincare, but you may be putting yourself at risk.
- CBD from reputable sources is still a fairly expensive ingredient for beauty, so if the product is really cheap, be skeptical of the sources or the manufacturing process.
There is still a lot of misconception and misunderstanding around this wonderful ingredient, and as consumers we need to continuously educate ourselves to make sure we understand what we are getting and more importantly, what we are putting on our bodies.
We have found a wonderful source of Cherry Wine Strain CBD, locally grown 30 minutes away from our studio in Portland, Oregon. We will be combining this amazing CBD oil to our superfruits to create what we are calling a “SuperCBD”, so you can get the wonderful benefits of CBD combined with the amazing benefits of our Wildly Potent Amazon superfoods. Stay tuned so you can be one of the first to get our new Superfood Infused Canna Cream which will have 200mg of Oregon grown, Cherry Wine Strain CBD.
You can click to sign up so we can let you know the minute this limited edition batch is available.
Love yourself, find your joy, share your passion.
Cheers, Val
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