Acne, eczema, aging, and sun damage not only cause insecurity but also annoying and sometimes dangerous health issues. According to The American Academy of Dermatology, acne is the most common skin condition in the United States, affecting up to 50 million Americans annually. In addition, one in ten people will develop atopic dermatitis (eczema) at some point. This skin condition affects up to 25 percent of children and 2 to 3 percent of adults. Both are common skin problems that can happen at any age, and dealing with these skin issues can be stressful, embarrassing and depressing. There are many medical treatment options, which work in different ways — some aim to hydrate the skin, while others aim to reduce inflammation. Topical medications applied to the affected area are often the first form of treatment used to treat acne, while eczema flare-ups are most often treated with corticosteroid creams. However, due to side effects in using traditional medication, many people are turning to alternative therapies that prove to be very helpful in alleviating both conditions. One of these therapies is treating acne and/or eczema with CBD Oil.
Acne Basics
Acne is a skin condition that occurs when greasy secretions from the skin’s sebaceous glands (oil glands) plug the tiny openings for hair follicles (clogged pores). It often causes whiteheads, blackheads or pimples, and usually appears on the face, forehead, chest, upper back and shoulders. If the openings are large, the clogs take the form of blackheads: small, flat spots with dark centers. If the openings stay small, the clogs take the form of whiteheads: small, flesh-colored bumps. Both types of clogged pores can develop into swollen, tender inflammations or pimples or deeper lumps or nodules.
Eczema Basics
Eczema is the name for a group of conditions where patches of skin become inflamed, itchy, red, cracked, and rough. Blisters may sometimes occur. There are several types of eczema: atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, dyshidrotic eczema, nummular eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, and stasis dermatitis. People who develop eczema do so because of a combination of genes and environmental triggers. When an irritant or an allergen “switches on” the immune system, skin cells don’t behave as they should causing an eczema flare-up.
What Is Cannabidiol and How Does It Work?
Cannabidiol (known as CBD) is a natural product derived from the Cannabis sativa plant. It is only one of over 100 compounds in cannabis. CBD doesn’t contain THC, the psychoactive ingredient that makes all other cannabinoid products create a euphoric high.
CBD works by connecting with a neurological network in our bodies that is called the “endocannabinoid system,” which includes hundreds of thousands of receptors. It naturally elevates the levels of your own endocannabinoid. As our endocannabinoid system is complex, CBD can affect us in several ways. Due to its many potential benefits, as a supplement, CBD oil can help from altering our sleep schedule to treating a medical condition. Research shows that CBD can provide natural relief for arthritis, multiple sclerosis (MS), epilepsy, anxiety, numerous stress-related disorders, and more. Due to this, CBD popularity has grown and skin care specialists and beauty companies are gravitating towards CBD oil benefits for health and cosmetic uses.
How Can CBD Help in Treating Acne and Eczema?
CBD is strong antioxidant — stronger than vitamin C and vitamin E, more like a botanical antioxidant. This is very helpful because it protects collagen, stops DNA damage and protects from sun damage. Several laboratory studies support CBD as an antioxidant and neuroprotective chemical. In 2000, The National Institute of Mental Health conducted a follow-up study named “Neuroprotective antioxidants from marijuana”. The research demonstrated that CBD, THC, and other cannabinoids act as antioxidants in neuronal cultures by reducing hydroperoxide toxicity in neurons. In addition, scientists are finding even more evidence that CBD can even treat dry skin which is very common for people suffering acne or eczema.
CBD is a well-known anti-inflammatory. And inflammation of dead skin cells is one of the major factors which triggers acne growth. CBD oil is best known to stop systemic inflammation and people have had great success in using it as quick relief from the prominent symptoms of both, acne and eczema. A Hungarian researcher suggests that CBD may be more effective than Accutane as a treatment for acne. In addition, there is no better solution than CBD oil when it comes to helping the sebaceous glands to regulate the production of oil and sebum. Whether applied to the skin or ingested, CBD oil works well to overcome pore clogging. That means that if CBD can control inflammation and oil production, it would treat two parts of the acne-lesion formation. According to dermatologists, that is a big deal because currently, this is done with retinoids, which make skin worse before it gets better. Namely, as skin acclimates to the treatment, a process called retinization initially causes more inflammation in the form of redness, dryness, and peeling. On the other hand, eczema flare-ups are most often treated with corticosteroid creams. Corticosteroids such as hydrocortisone and betamethasone are powerful anti-inflammatory drugs, and when applied directly to the skin, they offer fast and effective relief from eczema symptoms. However, because of common side effects (thinning of the skin which leaves it more vulnerable to injury and infection), corticosteroids should only be used for short periods at a time. Since (as we already pointed out) CBD has well-known anti-inflammatory properties and is completely natural, makes it safe to use in treating this condition. In addition, doctor and researchers believe that cannabinoids have an antimicrobial effect that inhibits Staphylococcus aureus colonization. This bacteria is associated with eczema and complications related to the condition.
Last but not least, CBD has the ability (its most famous one) to reduce stress by helping the endocannabinoid system. Anxiety, stress, and depression are all the result of a disturbed endocannabinoid system, whereas CBD oil helps heart rate by lowering it to normal frequency. Why is this relevant? Mostly because even though anxiety and stress alone don`t create acne, they can cause acne breakouts, and increase the frequency of acne development.
Final Thoughts
Indie beauty brands have already started formulating products with this hot new ingredient. CBD is used in many face creams, serums, and body lotions. Since CBD research is limited, for example, there aren’t enough studies on CBD to know how much of it manufacturers need to put into a product for it to be effective, using them will be on your own risk. However, experts agree that CBD skin products may help you with acne or eczema with minimal risks involved.