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Over the past few years, CBD has found its way into a diverse range of goods around the United States. Thanks to changing legislation, evolving laws, and emerging markets — this incredible ingredient adds a ton of unique benefits to existing products.
You’ve likely heard of CBD (cannabidiol) before, but you may not know how it can help improve your skincare routine.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol, or as it’s commonly known, CBD — is one of the most prevalent active ingredients in cannabis. It derives from the hemp plant, a type of cannabis that produces a wide range of cannabinoids. Two of the most well-known cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant are:
- CBD – Cannabidiol
- THC – Tetrahydrocannabinol
CBD is well-known for its wellness properties, while THC is recognized for its intoxicating effects. Contrary to what our grandparents may believe, hemp plants don’t produce nearly enough THC to intoxicate a user, and are instead an extremely versatile and beneficial plant, rich in CBD.
In fact, most countries, including the U.S. — differentiate hemp and marijuana by identifying the amount of THC it produces. This limit varies from country to country. For example:
- The U.S. identifies industrial hemp as a cannabis plant containing less than or equal to 0.3% THC.
- The European Union sets its THC limit at 0.2% THC.
- Great Britain doesn’t allow any THC unless a special license is obtained (which then sets the limit at 0.2% THC)
CBD offers a wide range of benefits including: promoting relaxation, relieving feelings of anxiousness, elevating your mood, easing discomfort within the body, promoting overall wellness and helping the body achieve homeostasis.
How CBD Works
To understand how CBD works within the human body, we must first take a step back to the very intriguing history of this blossoming ingredient.
The endocannabinoid system is a complex highway of receptors that exist naturally in everyone, regardless of whether or not they’ve tried any cannabis-related products. It plays a primary role in regulating a wide variety of the human body’s biological mechanisms. It’s composed of three elements that keep it running:
- Endocannabinoids
- Cannabinoid receptors
- And Enzymes
Endocannabinoids are naturally occurring molecules in the human body that work similarly to cannabinoids (like CBD). These endocannabinoids keep internal functions on track.
Throughout the body, this system works to regulate and promote homeostasis. Over the years, scientists have unearthed discovery after discovery pertaining to the endocannabinoid system. One of the most exciting findings was two cannabinoid receptors — CB1 & CB2.
While CB1 was found in the central nervous system, CB2 was identified throughout the peripheral nervous system and immune cells.
Enzymes break down the endocannabinoids that our bodies naturally produce once they’ve fulfilled their duty.
All three of these components work in concert with one another to make up the vastly complex endocannabinoid system. But, how does CBD come into play?
Now, THC binds with cannabinoid receptors, making its role easy to identify. CBD, on the other hand, does not bind with these receptors — so how does it work? Well, many of the relaxing, soothing, easing, or balancing properties that are so closely associated with CBD come from indirect actions it plays within the endocannabinoid system.
They activate what is known as the TRPV1 Receptors, which are involved in body temperature and regulating soreness or discomfort. This is where many of the incredible benefits we see from CBD are illuminated, helping those with feelings of anxiousness, sleep issues, muscle fatigue, or even distressed skin.
How CBD Skincare Products Can Help
By now, you’ve probably come across a beauty product containing CBD. You’re more than likely curious to know how an active ingredient derived from hemp can improve your skincare routine. That’s what we’re here to uncover.
While CBD is still being studied, there are early indicators that it can help with a range of skin concerns, whether it’s daily stressors, congestion and breakouts, aging, or compromised skin. What we do know about CBD is that, in terms of the whole plant, it brings several vitamins, nutrients and antioxidants to your body and to your skin. The skin is a complex organ, and just like your body, it needs vitamins and minerals to perform at optimum levels.
For those with sensitive or compromised skin, finding products that calm the skin is priority #1. CBD topical solutions are a great way to accelerate the natural healing process, soothe inflamed skin and deliver deep hydration to replenish the skin barrier.
As you age, your skin may start to show signs such as dullness, red skin tone and fine lines. CBD can play a vital role in keeping your skin healthy. Its antioxidant properties allow products like BLNCD Vital Nutrient Complex facial oil to reduce visible signs of aging. Hemp plants produce CBD oil containing Omega 6 and Omega 3 fatty acids that stimulate collagen production preventing water loss to keep your skin hydrated and youthful.
Alongside CBD, you’ll find BLNCD body and skincare products are packed with thoughtfully chosen nutritive oils and active ingredients that keep your skin glowing. Every ingredient is intentionally selected to deliver specific vitamins, minerals, omegas and antioxidants to promote optimal skin function and are free from chemicals and synthetic fragrances.
What to Look for in a Skincare Product
When choosing a CBD infused skincare product make sure to read the label and look for brands being totally transparent about what goes into their products. CBD or Cannabidiol should always be listed somewhere on the product packaging, likely in the ingredient list. You’ll also want to look for the concentration of CBD contained within the product which is typically listed in milligrams. If a product is missing this information, it may not contain any CBD at all and instead use Hemp seed oil, which has its own benefits, but is free of CBD entirely. With the popularity of CBD exploding, there are a lot of bad players out there trying to capitalize on this new trend with low quality products. Look for quality brands that use CBD from USA grown organic hemp and make their COA’s (certificate of analysis) available. The COA is a report done by a third party lab that will verify the purity and potency of the product. And finally, look at what other ingredients CBD is paired with. CBD is a wonderful, plant based ingredient and the last thing you want is a product with a bunch of fillers and synthetic ingredients that may contribute to the very issues you are trying to solve.
The hemp industry is still in its infancy which means over the coming years, more and more products harnessing the power of cannabinoids will be available to consumers — especially in the ever changing skincare industry.