CBD Oil in Skin Care Products: Does It Really Make a Difference?

Written by Jason Brett — Edited by on July 17, 2021

If you’re a close follower of skin and beauty product trends, you may have noticed a rise of CBD oil as an ingredient. With so many bold claims made in the beauty industry, you may be wondering if CBD oil actually makes a difference, or if its addition to skin care products is just a passing fad.

So, will skin care products with CBD oil really provide bang for your buck? And is there any science behind the CBD oil hype? Here’s a breakdown of everything you need to know when it comes to CBD oil in skin care products.

The Rise of CBD in Skin Care Products

With the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill, CBD oil became legal in a majority of U.S. states. This new legislation has allowed scientists and researchers to more freely conduct research on cannabinoids in the cannabis plant, ultimately providing new insight on the potential benefits of CBD oil.

It was quickly discovered that the phytocannabinoids like cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) interact with the human endocannabinoid system. While THC is responsible for the “high” most people associate with consuming cannabis, CBD does not have this same intoxicating effect, making CBD oil a popular choice as a mainstream treatment for the management of  inflammation, pain, chronic illness, anxiety, insomnia, and a wide range of other conditions.

When it comes to skin care products, CBD oil is especially compelling because it’s rich in vitamins A, D, and E, contains essential fatty acids, and has anti-inflammatory properties. This means CBD oil could be the perfect natural remedy for a whole host of skin complaints.

As with any new treatment, it’s important to speak to your primary physician or dermatologist about using CBD oil. While there are little to no side effects that accompany CBD oil use, there are certain medications that have been shown to interact with CBD.

CBD Oil for Skin Redness

One of the most significant uses for CBD oil in skin and beauty products is reducing the appearance of redness in the skin.

Skin redness is caused by an inflammatory response triggered in your body to fight infection and defend areas that may be under attack. If you have sensitive skin that reacts easily to allergens, eczema, dermatitis, or acne, CBD oil may be able to help.  

Many beauty products and skin creams claim to eliminate redness, but may not actually provide lasting and proven relief; some have soothing ingredients like aloe vera that cool the skin and others may add color-correcting compounds to help disguise the redness. In both instances, the ingredients don’t actually address the inflammation that is causing the redness, and this is where CBD oil is different.

CBD oil has been shown to combat inflammation in a variety of ways, both directly and indirectly. A number of studies have been or are currently being conducted on the specific anti-inflammatory effects of CBD oil administered topically, mixed into lotions or simply applied to the skin on its own. Already, there are promising findings that point to CBD oil as a potential treatment for a number of inflammatory, skin-related ailments including acne and dermatitis.

While there’s still more research to be done on topical CBD oil treatments, it has been proven that CBD can also reduce inflammation through its relationship with the neurotransmitter adenosine. CBD oil slows the reuptake of adenosine, leading to an increased amount of the neurotransmitter present in the brain. Increased adenosine levels impacts the adenosine A2A receptor in a way that produces an anti-inflammatory response in the body.

So, if you suffer from skin redness, a skin care product that includes CBD oil in its ingredients list may provide the relief you’ve been looking for.

CBD Oil for Aging Skin

If you want to protect and rejuvenate maturing skin, CBD oil is a great choice.

CBD oil contains Vitamin A which is a group of beneficial compounds that includes retinol, retinal, and beta-carotene, all of which have highly acclaimed anti-aging properties.  Vitamin A has been shown to not only reduce wrinkles and skin sagging, but also protect against harmful UV damage.

CBD oil also contains Vitamin E, an antioxidant which is the foremost nutrient present in human skin. As an antioxidant, Vitamin E combats the free radicals that cause damage to cells and accelerate aging.

CBD Oil for Dry Skin

If you have dry or dehydrated skin, adding CBD oil to your beauty regimen can help moisturize and refresh your skin when you need it most.

Essential fatty acids are found in CBD oil, and when used as part of a skin care routine, can protect the skin’s oil barrier, reducing moisture loss and helping to retain moisture within the skin cells.

Finally, as mentioned above, CBD oil is rich in Vitamin E. Vitamin E can protect cell membranes and is important to any skin care routine that aims to relieve dry skin.  If skin cell membranes are damaged or weak, they cannot hold moisture.

If you’re experimenting with ways to combat skin dryness, CBD oil may provide the added hydration boost you’ve been looking for.

How to Use CBD Oil for Skincare

There are a growing number of skin care brands incorporating CBD oil into their skincare products—just look for “cannabidiol” on the list of active ingredients.

While you can apply these products to the skin topically, for a more well-rounded approach you may also want to consider treating your skin from the inside out. Ingesting CBD oil via capsule, drops, or vape can help to increase your body’s anti-inflammatory response, creating benefits for your skin and health in general. Combining your CBD skin care products with an oral CBD oil product could produce even greater benefits than if you just took CBD oil in one form.

If you found this article helpful, you may also be interested in reading:

• 10 CBD Facts You Need to Know
• How to Use CBD Oil for Migraine Headaches
• CBD Oil for Anxiety

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