Cannabis Skincare & Beauty

The skincare and beauty landscape has made some serious changes over the years, adapting to new trends and responding to consumer demands such as creating products that are vegan, zero-waste, and cruelty-free. The beauty industry also follows trending ingredients, and the new superstar ingredient right now—CBD. Since the growing legalization of cannabis and cannabis derivatives continues across the states, the popularity of cannabidiol (CBD) is showing up everywhere in skincare, hair care, and makeup products.

How the Rise of CBD is Impacting Skincare & Beauty

As a multitude of new brands and endless products are continuously being introduced to the market, manufacturers are constantly adapting their products in order to compete, stay relevant, and take advantage of growth opportunities. Skincare and beauty brands are all jumping on the CBD bandwagon, as it has become the new “it” ingredient in beauty and skincare regimens.

While brands are embracing the trend of CBD skincare products with open arms, according to a report by Allied Market Research, it is expected that the global CBD skincare market will reach $3.4 billion by the year 2026. As many celebrities and fashion influencers rave about CBD beauty and skincare products, the popularity of CBD-infused products is trumping the stigma of “cannabeauty.” The changes in cannabis law and the promotion of CBD for healthy, younger-looking skin is transforming stigma into enthusiasm for these products.

Benefits of CBD for Skincare

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve heard about CBD not only in the skincare or beauty industry, but also for therapeutic benefits in wellness products such as oils, sprays, and serums for relaxation, physical relief, and sleep. CBD is used to treat pain, anxiety, and insomnia—but is it actually helpful in skincare and beauty products?

CBD offers antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits for the skin. Its anti-inflammatory properties can be beneficial in treating inflammatory skin conditions such as dryness, sensitivity, and acne. According to a 2014 study, CBD may also have an effect on sebocytes, the skin cells which produce sebum, which is a contributing factor of acne. Other studies also indicate that CBD may be effective in treating eczema and psoriasis as well.

The antioxidant properties of CBD are known to fight signs of aging, reduce pain for inflammatory skin conditions, regulate oil production, and neutralize free radical damage. CBD is now an extremely popular ingredient in anti-aging face creams as it also helps calm puffiness, reduces wrinkles, smoothes skin, and moisturizes dry skin. CBD has also been found by researchers to be very effective for promoting healthy skin, and skin tone, and restoring a youthful glow as it works well in restoring the skin’s lost elasticity.

Types of CBD Skincare Products

Although CBD and hemp products have been around for years and are not necessarily new, they have evolved drastically in today’s beauty market from anti-inflammatory wellness creams for sore joints to an array of high-end beauty products and treatments such as anti-aging creams and face masks. CBD beauty and skincare products are continuing to grow with body creams, anti-aging oils and serums, lip balms, and even bath bombs. All CBD-infused products are formulated using one of the following: full-spectrum CBD oil, broad-spectrum CBD oil or CBD isolate. But what’s the difference?

• Full Spectrum CBD oil: contains all the compounds found in hemp, including trace amounts of THC
• Broad-spectrum CBD oil: contains a range of cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids, but no actual THC
• CBD isolate: the purest form of CBD, not containing other compounds found in a hemp plant

There are some skincare products on the market which claim to include CBD in their formulas, but in reality, these claims are false as some contain hemp seed oil, which is not the same thing as CBD oil. When buying CBD skincare and beauty products, consumers should be looking for products that mention cannabidiol, hemp extract, broad-spectrum CBD, full-spectrum CBD or hemp CBD on the label to ensure there is actual CBD in the formula.

CBD’s Future in the Skincare and Beauty Market

From wellness and holistic health to beauty and skincare, CBD has made a smooth transition into mainstream products and is dominating the beauty world. As CBD has made its way into high-end and luxurious skincare creams and serums, it continues to remain in the spotlight and won’t be leaving anytime soon. Multiple celebrities continue to endorse the benefits and have invested in their own CBD skincare lines, including Martha Stewart, Kristen Bell, and John Legend.

Although more research on CBD’s benefits is still underway, it is considered safe to use topically and as the stigma behind cannabis is lifting, CBD’s role in the beauty industry looks promising. As of now, there are about 150 trials in progress, and once more is discovered about its healing properties and link to skincare, its popularity in the beauty realm will only continue to flourish.

What CBD skincare products do you use?