It’s difficult, if not impossible, to pinpoint the exact moment CBD transformed from a little-known alternative for weed lovers to a mainstream cannabis derivative.

Many believe it was the ripple effect of the Farm Bill of 2018. Whatever may have been the cause, CBD has become a household name and shows no sign of slowing down.

Therefore, it’s little surprise when researchers and product developers have developed skincare products infused with this therapeutic and non-psychoactive compound.

Now, the CBD market size and skincare aisle of several stores and e-commerce sites have everything from CBD screens to facial serums to body lotions and even shampoos with the promise of treating diverse skincare problems.

This article takes a closer look at the CBD skincare landscape and sums up everything you need to know in five key points.

Let’s get started.

What CBD Does in Skincare

The primary factor that most beauticians, aestheticians, and popular CBD brands to get free shipping on marijuana products proclaim about CBD is its comedogenic factor. This sounds great, but you could make the same claim for other skincare ingredients like squalane oil, sea buckthorn, or marula.

So what benefits does CBD bring on board that other plant-based ingredients do not?

• Treating inflammatory acne - CBD can relieve topical swelling and pain associated with acne due to its strong and researched-backed anti-inflammatory effects.

• Soothe eczema - It also helps fight skin irritation resulting from eczema and other chronic skin problems like dermatitis and psoriasis.

• Decrease oil production - CBD also influences other hormones involved in oil production, so the compound can help eliminate excess sebum production.

• Reduce breakouts - CBD could control inflammatory breakouts, and due to its ability to reduce oil production, it can also subdue other breakouts.

• Hydration - CBD possesses moisturizing properties that help maintain well-moisturized skin and prevent dehydration or dry skin.

• Offset free radical damage: CBD helps offset the far-reaching effects of free radical damage, such as early wrinkles and other signs of aging.

• Minimize hormonal conditions - Thanks to its potent adaptogenic effects, CBD could induce the reduction of the impact of hormones and other biochemical releases such as nitric oxide, kinase, and cortisol.

• Calm rosacea - Considering the anti-inflammatory effects, CBD could help reduce rosacea flare-ups.

How Effective Are They?

Given the myriad forms of CBD, such as tincture, bud, gummies, and topical versions, the effects also vary. Likewise, the results vary slightly from user to user, depending on dose and biological differences. In other words, the results depend primarily on the symptom targeted for treatment.

But as far as topical applications go, most CBD-infused skincare products and their results are highly individualistic. Therefore, you have to be willing to experiment with something before you obtain the desired effects.

As such, it’s always advisable to begin by testing some travel-sized products or testers before committing to a larger purchase.

How to Use

The way you use any CBD for skincare is determined by the type of product you purchase. The majority of CBD products for skincare are creams or serums. As such, you can apply them as instructed on the product package or leaflet, applying each skincare item from thinnest to thickest. Generally, you need to use serums before creams. Even with the promise of quick relief from skin conditions, you should avoid self-diagnosing. You want to always go through the ingredients and labeling for each product with a fine-tooth comb and possibly get the approval of a board-certified dermatologist or your primary medical care provider before you begin using any new products, especially if you’re on any medications.

Possible Side Effects

Generally speaking, CBD use comes with no serious risks. But as earlier stated, CBD can interfere with certain medications because the family of enzymes called CY450 metabolizes most chemicals, including cannabinoids like CBD and several prescription drugs. Hence, even though most people tolerate CBD, some mild side effects to expect include slight fatigue and drowsiness. An excellent example of medications that CBD can interact with is blood thinners.

But needful to state that using CBD through serum, lotion, and other topical application products greatly reduces the possibility of these side effects.

How to Choose The Best Products For CBD Skincare

Most CBD companies make similar promises regarding the benefits of their products. However, not all of them live up to their claims. Therefore, you should have a keen eye for evaluating these products and differentiating between the best and worst CBD skincare products. Some factors to consider include:

• CBD and hemp sources - The best CBD usually comes from full-spectrum organic hemp. Low-quality products obtain CBD from low-cost hemp sources.

• CBD potency - High-quality products indicate the amount of CBD it contains.

• Advertised benefits - Watch out for exaggerated benefits and steer clear of such products.

• Lab testing and certifications of analysis - Trusted CBD companies readily provide the details of lab testing reports and certificates of analysis (COA).

• Price and value - The price points of products in the CBD industry vary, so you have to determine the ideal balance between value and worth.

Full-spectrum CBD oil contains all the compounds found in hemp, including trace amounts of THC.  Broad-spectrum CBD oil, on the other hand, contains a range of cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids derived from hemp, but no THC," explains Ed Donnelly, CBD expert and founder of AmourCBD.

Meanwhile, "CBD isolate is the purest version of CBD. It doesn’t contain any other compounds that you find in a hemp plant," tells Pekar. "This form of CBD oil is best for facial skin as it's pure, doesn't clog pores and is packed with skin-rejuvenating antioxidants," adds the aesthetician.

Look for products that mention "cannabidiol", "hemp extract", "broad-spectrum CBD", "full-spectrum CBD" or "hemp CBD" on the label. Also, note that hemp seed oil or cannabis Sativa seed oil isn't the same thing as CBD oil. "CBD oil is extracted from the leaves and flowers of the hemp plant. It's a finer and lighter oil as compared to hemp seed oil that tends to be greasier," explains Pekar.

Conclusion

The research surrounding the use of CBD for skin conditions is promising, and several findings and anecdotal reports indicate that it can help fight psoriasis, dermatitis, and acne. This is chiefly a result of its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.