Although some people hesitate to accept CBD because of its close association with cannabis, awareness of CBD continues to spread rapidly worldwide.
With dozens of natural benefits, such as pain relief, skin repair and care, and relief from sleep disorders, CBD has made a particularly big impact in one industry: beauty.
From CBD topicals formulated to relieve skin conditions such as acne, eczema and psoriasis to CBD teas that improve mood and help combat stress throughout the day, CBD beauty products have become the industry's latest craze.
In this article, we will explore CBD's many beauty benefits and discuss how to incorporate it into your beauty routine!
CBD improves sleep quality
Looking in the mirror after a restless night reveals sleep deprivation's effects on appearance, while Harvard research suggests poor sleep can lead to serious health conditions.
Sleep is the body's way of renewing itself. Without enough sleep, it cannot fully recharge.
In terms of appearance, poor sleep quality can cause dark circles, impair skin health and appearance and slow metabolism. These should be the least of your concerns, however…
According to the NHS, insufficient sleep can lead to a wide range of serious health problems, including severe stress, reduced immunity, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, reduced fertility, brain damage and various mental and psychological problems. Poor sleep is therefore extremely harmful to overall health as well as appearance. How could CBD address this?
Researchers have found that the relationship between CBD and the endocannabinoid system plays an important role in regulating homeostasis.
If the term is unfamiliar, homeostasis means the body's state of balance. When levels are balanced as they should be, the body is healthy. Too much or too little of something creates imbalance, disrupting homeostasis and naturally causing problems.
For example, stress results from overactive, irregular stress signals and abnormally high cortisol. The key to relief is calming those signals and reducing elevated cortisol, restoring balance.
CBD addresses sleep disorders by regulating homeostasis and relieving underlying causes such as stress, anxiety, pain and restlessness. This approach allows CBD to relieve sleep disorders naturally and improve sleep quality.
CBD reduces problems caused by stress
A 2017 survey found that eight in ten Americans were affected by stress. Studies have shown that prolonged stress harms the body and can cause hair loss, high blood pressure, acne and skin inflammation, accelerated aging and various skin conditions.
CBD has been shown to reduce irregular stress signals and improve stress management by interacting with receptors in the body's endocannabinoid system (ECS), especially in brain areas responsible for regulating stress responses. In doing so, it may help prevent many stress-related conditions.
CBD may offer anti-aging benefits
As we age, our bodies naturally change. Beauty industry experts have found that collagen production starts declining in our twenties and declines even faster after 30.
Collagen is the body's most abundant protein, helping provide structure and vitality to skin, hair, nails, bones and ligaments.
As collagen production slows, these body parts naturally lose integrity, leading to sagging skin, wrinkles and weakened bones. Exposure to harmful elements such as UV rays and free radicals further accelerates aging.
Although aging is inevitable, CBD shows potential to slow it by increasing collagen production and protecting against inflammation and free radical damage.
New York dermatologist Dr. Francesca Fusco found that CBD could even improve overall skin health. In her work, Fusco discovered that CBD was a rich source of fatty acids and contained other nutrients beneficial for retaining moisture and keeping skin youthful.
CBD improves skin repair and reduces inflammation
Although its unique properties make CBD a focus of anti-aging interest, its benefits extend beyond age-related conditions to overall skin health.
Rich in antioxidants and essential nutrients, CBD has shown potential to improve skin repair and reduce the appearance of scars, wrinkles and discoloration.
Studies have also shown that interaction between the ECS and cannabinoids such as CBD helps reduce inflammation and improve symptoms of inflammation-related conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS), eczema and acne.
CBD promotes healthy circulation
The circulatory system plays a crucial role by distributing blood, oxygen and other nutrients throughout the body.
Poor circulation disrupts the distribution of these vital nutrients, potentially leading to high blood pressure, skin discoloration, malnutrition, reduced skin cell renewal and accelerated aging.
Research has shown that CBD may improve circulatory function by reducing vascular tension, lowering blood pressure and preventing cell death associated with oxidative stress.
How can you incorporate CBD into your beauty routine?
With so many natural benefits, CBD can refresh your beauty routine and enhance the benefits of many existing products.
From CBD lotions to CBD-infused menstrual relief supplements, a wide variety of CBD beauty products offer distinct therapeutic benefits.
Understanding the different types can help you decide which is best for you.
Types of CBD beauty products
CBD supplements (oils/capsules): CBD capsules and oils are packed with nutrients and antioxidants. Taken as supplements, they can help strengthen the body and work with the endocannabinoid system to promote balance and regulate sleep, mood and appetite.
CBD masks: CBD works together with moisturizing ingredients to soothe skin while enhancing natural radiance and collagen. Masks allow the skin to absorb the compound's benefits, leaving you feeling refreshed and firm.
CBD bath bombs: These are made like ordinary bath bombs but replace essential oils with CBD. A CBD bath bomb dissolves in water, turning it into a warm CBD bath that can soothe muscle pain, cramps and other muscle-related aches.
CBD topicals: Beauty brands have begun adding CBD to topical products such as lotions and creams. CBD ointments and lip balms intended to address skin damage and reverse signs of aging can typically reduce inflammation, chronic pain, psoriasis, acne and eczema.
CBD-infused hair care: Cannabinoids work with other hair-care ingredients to soften strands and add volume. Their natural moisturizing power, combined with antimicrobial plant extracts, helps control dandruff and reduce scalp scratching caused by seborrheic dermatitis.
What should you consider when buying any CBD product?
Check the ingredients
Look at the packaging and scan the ingredient list. Processed ingredients can dull the skin's appearance. We recommend products using entirely natural ingredients so you know what you are putting on or in your body.
The source of CBD
Not all CBD is the same, so knowing its origin matters. Everything from soil quality to cultivation care affects hemp production. Without proper care, extracted CBD may lose its potency and therapeutic value.
Types of CBD
CBD may be described as full spectrum, broad spectrum or isolate. Each term refers to the extraction process and offers a different concentration of benefits. If you seek quick relief, CBD isolate would be your best choice. Broad spectrum CBD contains no THC, while full spectrum CBD contains less than 0.3% THC. Read our detailed article on this topic here.
These are just a few considerations when shopping for CBD products. If you are browsing online and still have reservations, see our guide for more tips on what to know before buying CBD.
