CBD is becoming popular for its various medicinal properties. From combating inflammation to relieving pain, the compound has shown increasing promise as a therapeutic compound.
But, is acne included in this long list of CBD benefits? Does CBD help treat those hideous outbursts of red blotches?
Acne is nothing short of a global pandemic. According to one estimate, 9.4% of the total people in the world have some type of acne. Moreover, acne doesn’t just affect your skin. It can also have spillover psychological impacts, such as low self-confidence and social anxiety. Even when acne becomes an afterthought, people have to battle with these residual negative emotions — they become traumas, deeply entrenched in one’s psyche.
Unfortunately, most acne therapies on the market are either ineffective or cause unwanted side effects in the long run. CBD has emerged as a safe and promising alternative. Therefore, many people are relying on CBD products to manage acne instead of using traditional treatments.
What Is The Main Cause Of Acne?
Most people believe that acne is only a teenage problem, but the truth is that it can pop up and persist at any age. One of the fundamental causes of acne is the inhibition of sebaceous glands on your skin.
Sebaceous glands play a role in shielding your skin from foreign invaders. These release a substance called sebum that is made up of fats.
What happens is that in some people sebaceous glands become overactive. As a result, excessive sebum is discharged, which clogs up the glands. In such situations, dead skin cells and bacteria accumulate and trigger abnormal inflammation that leads to a sore, swollen, and blotchy appearance of the skin.
Does CBD Prevent Acne?
Research has found that CBD may play a role in relieving acne in many ways. For starters, CBD may reduce sebum production in the skin. It may also prevent cells from building up in the glands and prevent inflammatory reactions. Meaning, CBD could help with many acne-induced symptoms, including redness and pain.
However, research focusing on CBD’s role to treat acne is still in its early stages. More scientific progress is needed to present something conclusive.
How Does CBD Work Against Acne
Researchers suggest that the CBD produces many of its therapeutic effects by interacting with the endocannabinoid system. THE ECS is a cell-signalling system, with a presence in many parts of the body. Its main function is to regulate the homeostasis or the internal environment of the body. Because of this, ECS is associated with a host of important roles, such as regulating mood and maintaining skin health.
The Endocannabinoid System and Skin Health
When it comes to our skin, ECS regulates cell development, growth, regulating inflammation, and hormone production. Because of this, the disruption of normal ECS function may cause various skin conditions, such as acne, psoriasis, and scleroderma.
The ECS produces potent chemicals called endocannabinoids. These compounds attach to several critical receptors in the central and peripheral nervous system, influencing a variety of biological processes. Cannabis compounds, such as THC and CBD, are called phytocannabinoids, and can exhibit similar influence, much like endocannabinoids have on the body.
CB1 receptors of the ECS respond appreciably well to THC. This is the reason why THC is known for inducing euphoric effects. On the other hands, CB2 receptors are closely associated with CBD. These receptors also branch out in the skin.
When CBD stimulates CB2 receptor activity, it contributes to ECS regulation in the skin. In these specific spots, CBD may also exhibit some of its powerful anti-inflammatory properties. However, CBD’s influence on the ECS isn’t restricted to the skin. It may play a role in several other regions, even the ones outside ECS’s grasp, further enhancing its impact on acne complications.
Things Consider Before Using CBD for Acne
If you have acne and you’re thinking of using CBD, there are some things you need to keep in mind before jumping the gun.
One of the most important considerations is CBD consumption. Mostly, people use CBD in oil form. The intake CBD via the sublingual route, placing the oil under the tongue for a minute, before swallowing.
You can also take CBD in the form of tablets or capsules. However, the problem with this is that when taken in pill form, CBD is not instantly absorbed into the skin. It first goes to the digestive system, where much of it is lost.
Therefore, the best way to use CBD for acne may be a topical application. Directly applying it to the skin may give you the benefits you’re looking for. Most CBD topical products are advertised exclusively as skin remedies.
Topical products don’t contain just CBD. They also have other ingredients, which work great with CBD. However, some of these products may contain acne-exacerbating items, such as grease.
So, it’s important to check the product labeling before making the purchase. CBD generally has an excellent safety profile, but a small risk of side effects never really goes away. That’s why it’s in your best interest to practice caution.
Choosing a CBD Topical for Acne
Another thing to factor in before buying CBD for acne is that most CBD products on the market are unregulated. This lack of regulation has opened the floodgates for sub-par and potentially dangerous CBD products to clog the market. Some products don’t contain enough CBD to have any potent therapeutic effects, while others contain harmful additives, such as pesticides and heavy metals.
When choosing a CBD product for treating acne, look for a reputable vendor. What qualifies as a reputable vendor? One that’s transparent. Most good companies publish third-party lab results on their websites so that consumers can know the ingredients of their CBD products.
You may also want to consider whether a company is selling Full-Spectrum CBD or CBD Isolate. Full Spectrum isolate is superior because it has a diverse selection of cannabinoids entwined together in a synergistic relationship. CBD isolate, on the other hand, in pure 99.5% CBD, nothing else. And individually, CBD is less potent than when in a mixture of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other cannabis-based compounds.
