Cannabis Topicals and Skin Care: Everything You Want to Know About Using Cannabis Products on Your Skin

Glowing Skin, Help With Acne—Learn How CBD-Infused Skin Care Products Can Enhance Your Routine

Chances are, you’ve heard that cannabis and CBD can help ease anxiety, manage chronic pain and reduce inflammation when ingested. But did you know that cannabinoids applied topically to the skin may help relieve a whole host of skin-related issues, from acne to psoriasis? Yep. Mounting scientific evidence supports the use of topical cannabinoids for numerous skin conditions. 

Since the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill that legalized hemp on the federal level, CBD-infused skin care products are becoming more accessible than ever. And with the recent ability to conduct more robust R&D into a range of different CBD-based formulations, skin care manufacturers are now bringing a growing number of increasingly effective CBD-infused products to market.

Let’s explore some of the specific skin conditions that new CBD-infused skin care products are targeting, and then dive into what to look for in skin care topicals.

CBD for Acne 

Most of us know the unpleasant experience of looking in the mirror and discovering an angry, red blemish percolating on our face. If you’re like us, you’ve probably tried to calm pimple flares with products containing active ingredients such as salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide. These products work well for some. But for many of us, traditional acne-fighting agents leave much to be desired.

Cannabinoid-infused skin care products offer a new way to fight unwanted zits. Acne is typically the result of inflammation and excess oil, dirt and dead skin cells clogging up the pores, which creates bacteria and leads to pimples. So keeping the skin clean of acne-producing buildup and minimizing inflammation is the name of the game when it comes to treating and preventing blemishes. That’s where CBD comes in.

Promising research shows that CBD acts as an effective sebostatic agent, which basically means it curbs the production of sebum, the oily substance our skin produces. CBD also exerts anti-inflammatory effects on our oil-producing glands, indicating real promise as an acne-fighting agent.

CBD for Psoriasis 

Some 7.4 million Americans are affected by psoriasis, an autoimmune disease that causes red, itchy, scaly skin lesions (or plaques) to form on the skin. There is currently no known cure for psoriasis, and available pharmaceutical treatments don’t work for everyone. That’s why more and more people are turning to CBD as a newer treatment option.

Clinical research into CBD for psoriasis is ongoing, but early findings are promising. Results from a 2007 study indicates CBD slows the proliferation of skin cells involved with plaque formation. And evidence from a 2019 anecdotal study found that applying CBD-infused ointment on psoriatic skin safely helped to reduce psoriatic skin rashes.

Similarly, it appears that CBD can mimic the effects of topical corticosteroids without the potential side effects and irritation of super-sensitive skin around the eyes, groin or armpits—helping those struggling with psoriasis or even chronically dry skin find some relief. 

CBD for Fine Lines and Wrinkles

We’re of the mindset that aging isn’t a curse, but rather, a privilege. That said, we’re all for skin care products and routines that can help support healthy skin and graceful aging. And we’re pretty excited to see emerging research indicating that CBD may help promote healthy, more youthful skin at any age. 

After about age 20, our natural production of skin-firming collagen begins to wane, which contributes to the appearance of aging skin. But research shows that CBD promotes collagen-boosting properties, which may help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines and dullness.