Cannabis beauty products, what benefits can CBD and Hemp Oil create for your skin?

Your skin is your biggest organ, making up about 15% of your total weight (who knew?!). Your skin is so much more than a beautiful body wrapper; it protects your body from harmful organisms and helps regulate your body temperature. Good skin health can actually lead to better health.

Two different ingredients are used in Cannabis beauty products; CBD and Hemp Seed oil. CBD is found in the hemp plant's flower, stem, and leaves, while Hemp Seed Oil is derived from seeds.

CBD

CBD is an adaptogen. Adaptogens are plant substances that help our bodies build resilience to stress and maintain balance ( homeostasis). In skin care, CBD can help reduce skin stress triggers and improve skin health, helping your skin from being overwhelmed by environmental and inflammatory stressors. 

Hemp Oil (Cannabis Sativa seed oil)

Hemp Oil does not have the same calming properties that CBD has, but similar to other oils, like grapeseed oil, it can be a highly effective moisturiser and skin softener. Hemp oil is also a non Comedogenic, which will moisturise your skin but not clog your pores. Hemp Oil is nutrient-dense and is full of essential fatty acids, like Omega-6, Omega-3 and Omega-9 and is rich in vitamin E, beta carotene and antioxidants. The Omega-6 in Hemp Oil can help calm inflammation and irritation and stimulate new cell generation. It can reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and early signs of ageing. We love a little smile line and believe that wrinkles are proof of a well-lived life, but we won't stand in your way of creating a glowy, healthy look. 

Contrary to what many believe, oils don't have to make your skin oily. In fact, hemp oil can help moderate oil production, keeping it balanced and fighting the good fight against those nasty acne-causing bacteria. 

Finally, the phytosterols in hemp seed oil will help boost collagen production to help restore and rejuvenate your skin's tone and texture. Fun fact, phytosterols can also help lower your cholesterol. Phytosterols are natural compounds found in plants; their cell structure looks and acts like cholesterol. When you digest phytosterols instead of cholesterol, your digestive system will remove some of the cholesterol as waste, lowering your cholesterol levels. 

Similar to other cannabis products, there isn't much research on CBD beauty products, and we need more research to prove its benefits scientifically. One thing most dermatologists do agree on is that most cannabinoids are anti-inflammatory, and that could benefit skin health. The anti-inflammatory properties can help ease itchiness, flaking and dryness. Some smaller studies have shown it helps treat eczema and allergic contact dermatitis. Cannabis can be an excellent antioxidant, and some studies have shown it regulates oil production and neutralises free radical damage. 

What is legal in Australia?

CBD products are only available for Australians if you have a prescription.  Hemp Seed oil or Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil doesn’t contain THC and is legally available in Australia. 

How does it interact with other products?

Cannabis is a great collaborator and can create synergy with other plant extracts and essential oils, amplifying results more than if these plant extracts or essential oils were acting solo. We sometimes refer to this as the entourage effect. 

Ultimately, skin care is personal; your skin will tell you if it loves a product. It's definitely worth a try for its antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, and we like that it doesn't clog pores. If you want to be extra safe, start with products made using only organic, CBD-rich, whole plant extract. While no known allergies are associated with CBD oil, people with pollen allergies could be allergic to the cannabis plant. If you have sensitive skin or suffer from severe allergies, we recommend you go slow, don't introduce too many new products into your routine or consult your doctor.