The potential anti-seizure, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor properties of cannabidiol (CBD) are what get most of the attention, but not to be overlooked is the non-psychoactive cannabinoid’s ability to potentially improve the health and appearance of skin, hair and nails when applied topically.
CBD is a compound that is naturally abundant in plants like hemp. Extracted from the plant’s stalks and seeds, hemp oil can be infused into topical body care products like balms, salves, lotions, and oils.
Potential Benefits of CBD Topicals
CBD itself is a powerful antioxidant, meaning it protects the skin from free radicals like UV rays, smoke, and environmental pollutants. Free radicals lead to wrinkles and fine lines, but antioxidants protect our skin from this damage and help fight the effects of aging.
Additionally, because cannabinoid receptors are located all throughout the skin, CBD has the capability of interacting with those receptors to encourage homeostasis and healing. Studies show that CBD can help treat an array of conditions related to the skin. Atopic dermatitis, also called eczema, has been shown to improve after treatment with hemp oil. Also, CBD can adjust the output of oils in the skin and hair and inhibit skin cells’ lipid production, making it effective for preventing acne. A 2013 study published in the British Journal of Pharmacology found that CBD controls cell proliferation and differentiation, indicating it can be used in treatment efforts for skin diseases like allergies or cancer.
Besides the natural health benefits of CBD, hemp oil topicals also contain an array of other essential nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, proteins, and fatty acids, to encourage skin health. Vitamins A and D are responsible for skin repair. They support skin cell growth and inhibit oil production to help keep skin soft and supple. Like CBD, Vitamins C and E are antioxidants and protect the skin’s collagen and elastin against damage from the sun and free radicals. B complex vitamins serve as part of the construction process for skin, hair and nails to prevent dermatitis, hair loss, and other skin conditions.
Faster and More Focused Effects
Topicals are applied right to trouble areas so that the CBD oil can work directly where it’s needed most. Ingesting CBD products orally causes CBD and other compounds to enter the blood stream, which elicits full-body effects and takes up to 2 hours or more before those effects are experienced. With CBD topicals, the healing compound and other hemp-derived nutrients are almost immediately absorbed directly through your skin, allowing them to be target the affected area for quicker and more focused effects.
You can learn more about CBD and hemp oil by visiting our Education page. We also recommend these articles:
- 5 Exciting Facts About CBD
- 5 More Frequently Asked Questions About CBD
- Cannabinoids Soothe Psoriasis, Eczema, and Other Skin Diseases
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