The Skincare industry is red hot for products like CBD balms. These cosmetic formulations have garnered a lot of interest recently, mainly because of cannabidiol’s purported ability to heal and replenish the skin and provide a whole host of other benefits.
The way skincare trends are fizzled out one after the other nowadays, you’re bound to roll your eyes at every new trend. But CBD balms provide a lot of promise. Anecdotal evidence of these products working miracles is vast and sundry and scientific interest has also heightened over the years.
In this article, we’ll review everything there is to know about CBD balms to educate you and help you decide whether you should include the products in your skincare regimen or not.
Do CBD Balms Work?
Your skin is an enormous organ. It covers a lot of ground. Hence, it needs a lot of replenishment and care on a daily basis.
Whether you’re navigating a polluted city or exposing yourself to UV rays on the beach, your skin goes above and beyond to ensure it forms a formidable first line of defense to keep foreign attacks at bay.
Sometimes, the skin’s attempt to shield against foreign particles isn’t enough.
This is where products like CBD balm in and save the day.
Research has shown that CBD balms can strengthen your skin in various ways. In 2002, Scottish scientists found topical CBD helpful for several skin conditions. These include acne, itchiness, and redness, among others.
That said, the jury on topical CBD’s skincare benefits still isn’t conclusive.
Most of the studies are preclinical and do not provide a complete or concrete representation of cannabidiol’s therapeutic value. But, early results paint a promising picture and have been major drivers of CBD balm’s inclusion in skincare routines.
In public forums, the anecdotal evidence is mounting up. You should always approach these with skepticism because there are a lot of moving parts to consider.
From dosage to the application, the experience of CBD balms varies from person to person. While the product may be perfect for one person, it may yield little to no results for another.
What Do You Look For In A CBD Balm Product?
Like every skincare product, you should know exactly what you’re looking for before spending your hard-earned money. If you’re in the market for a quality CBD balm product, here are a couple of factors to nudge you in the right direction:
1. Amount Of CBD
More is better.
CBD-rich balms are likely to have a better and more potent effect on your skin than those containing CBD in lesser amounts.
The best part about CBD balms is that you don’t have to worry about overdoing things.
According to a 2018 World Health Organization (WHO) critical review, CBD has an excellent safety profile and is generally well-tolerated at high doses. Aside from some mild side effects, such as the dry mouth and appetite suppression, you’re not unlikely to experience anything serious.
Keep in mind that the size of the container is not an accurate representation of CBD concentration in a given product. You can’t rule out the possibility of a 400mg CBD balm product coming in an enormous 4500ml product.
As a general recommendation, you should always buy a CBD balm product that comes in a small container but contains high amounts of CBD.
2. Type Of CBD
You also have to make sure the quality of the CBD balm is great. This depends on your needs and preferences and intended use.
Right now, there are three main types of CBD products in the market:
- Full-Spectrum CBD
- Pure Spectrum CBD
- Isolate CBD
The only difference between these three products is THC.
THC or tetrahydrocannabinol is a psychoactive substance found in the cannabis plant. For many people, this compound is undesirable because it is known to be hallucinogenic and may show up in drug tests. Luckily, CBD that is extracted from hemp contains THC in trace amounts.
Full-spectrum CBD contains a healthy blend of almost every compound found in the cannabis plant. This includes cannabinoids like CBN, CBG, CBD, and THC, and aromatic terpenes and flavonoids.
Full-Spectrum CBD is one of the most potent CBD balm products because of the entourage effect.
Due to the entourage effect, compounds in a full-spectrum CBD product form beneficial associations and complement each other’s physiological properties.
While the likelihood of these products causing a high is extremely low, some people try to skirt them all together and steer towards other options.
Broad Spectrum balm CBD products contain every ingredient their full-spectrum counterparts do, save for THC. And finally, pure or CBD isolates are fine white crystals of 99.5% pure CBD.
In the end, the choice is a matter of personal preference, and what you hope to achieve with CBD.
3. Other Ingredients
Science suggests that CBD has a lot of skincare benefits. However, if you want to take things up a notch, you have to buy products with the right combinations. In CBD balm products with CBD as the chief ingredient, you can enhance the topical application by introducing other skin-friendly compounds.
For instance, Vitamin E is thought to be a great CBD balm booster. Like CBD, Vitamin E has antioxidant properties, which may help shield your skin against free radicals.
Many Skincare experts recommend using Vitamin E for keeping your skin hale and healthy. When combined with CBD, it could provide even more comprehensive skincare protection than it already does.
Other compounds CBD balms couple up with really well are cooling ingredients like menthol. Many athletes use a concoction of CBD and menthol to relieve muscle soreness and relax at the end of an exhausting day. The menthol soothes the muscles, meanwhile, CBD kicks in and fastens muscle recovery.
4. Fragrance
Another thing you should factor in when buying CBD balms is the fragrance. CBD balms have a strong hemp aroma. While some consumers love this smell, it may be unpleasant for others. If you’re looking for a more subtle scent, you should weigh your options before jumping the gun.
Final Thoughts
There are a lot of things to consider before choosing a CBD balm product. Make sure you’re buying from a reputable vendor that publishes third-party lab results. Your CBD balm product shouldn’t contain harmful additives, such as heavy metals and pesticides.
