Cannabis
for skincare? Don’t laugh just yet. The plant that has acquired most of its
reputation for having psychoactive effects that are used for recreational
purposes, and as a medicinal tool for myriad of illnesses, may also have
benefits for the skin. That’s when it comes in the form of a topical product,
like an ointment or cream.
But
we aren’t talking regular cannabis. The therapeutic potential we’re interested
in is focussed on the cannabidiol (CBD) in the herb, and specifically a type of
cannabis called hemp. CBD doesn’t get you high, whether you’re vaping it,
smoking it, eating it or applying it to the skin. But the benefits that this
non-psychoactive compound has for our health are profound, and in this decade,
we have witnessed the emergence of hemp-based CBD wholesale
products all over the world.
The
effects of CBD are complex, and our understanding of them is growing all the
time. Cannabinoid research is one of the hottest topics in science right now,
as scientists find out more about the role of the body’s endocannabinoid system
(ECS), and how CBD works within that system to improve our wellbeing. Skincare
products infused with CBD have become more popular following the discovery of
cannabinoid receptors, which are part of the ECS, in the skin.
Now
that you know a little more about what CBD is, where it comes from, and why it
may be beneficial, let’s look more closely at some of the most popular reasons
for using it on the skin.
Acne
The
teenager’s nightmare, acne impacts people all over the world, with the numbers
of those affected running into the hundreds of millions. The condition, which
makes the skin really oily due to the proliferation of sebum, can devastate
personal appearance, an effect that can cause sufferers to become anxious and
depressed. Treatments for acne, both prescription and alternative, have varying
levels of success. Some people are so desperate to treat acne that they have
even been prepared to resort to dangerous products.
CBD
has a nurturing and nourishing effect on the skin, and produces an
anti-inflammatory effect that may be key to resolving acne. The compound is also rare
in that it has sebostatic properties, which can balance the amount of sebum
produced by the sebaceous glands. CBD reduces sebum production enough to stop
the oily breakouts, but not so much as to cause another problem in dry skin. If
you are at a loss with acne treatments, then maybe it’s time to give CBD a try.
Infections
Skin
infections, whether they be caused by bacterial, microbial, or fungal, can be
dangerous if they aren’t treated properly. It’s essential that we protect our
skin from these after getting a cut or graze, as this preventative measure
could save us from problems down the line.
CBD
has a three-pronged effect when it comes to managing infections, boasting antibacterial,
antifungal and antimicrobial properties. The mechanisms for these effects are
not totally understood – but the important thing is that CBD works.
Aging
None
of us like getting older, but it’s perhaps the fact that we look older which bothers us most. You
may be able to do something about that with CBD, which appears to possess novel
anti-aging properties, which can stave off the menace that is extrinsic aging.
This aging is caused by external factors, and in particular the notorious free radicals.
These uncharged molecules devastate the skin’s DNA so that the body cannot
create as many new skin cells to replace the old.
CBD
blocks free radicals – which come from the sun, exhaust fumes and other
pollutants, and tobacco smoke to name just three – by applying an antioxidant
layer to the skin. Those who subscribe to the free radical theory of aging
should get their hands on some wholesale CBD products.
Psoriasis
The
patchy and flaky skin that is caused by psoriasis now appears to be the result
of an autoimmune disease. While this sounds bad news, at least it is helping
researchers to develop targeted treatments that can genuinely treat symptoms.
These
patches and flakes are the result of a hyperactive immune system, which speeds
up the skin cell life cycle to an unsustainable rate. The rapid generation of
new cells cannot be shed, so they accumulate on the top layer of the skin, the
epidermis. CBD is known to have immune system regulating effects – in the case
of psoriasis, these may come from regulating CB2 receptors in the skin.
