Now-a-days there are so many lotions, creams, and salves that are supposed to “change the way your skin looks,” “make you look younger,” and “get rid of all scars and marks.” Whether or not all of those claims are true, we will never know. Because there are so many different types of skin health products, it may be hard to know which to choose. Some have ingredient lists that are longer than a grocery list! This can be intimidating and we here at Panacea Life Sciences have a way that we may be able to assist cannabidiol (CBD) cream and other CBD skin health products. That is right, CBD skin health products are beginning to be all the rage. Why, you may ask? What benefits can CBD cream really have for you and your skin health? Let us explain.
What is CBD? What about THC?
CBD and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are often confused with one another. This is an understood confusion due to both being cannabinoids but have very different activities in the body. What is the difference? These two cannabinoids are both found in the Cannabis sativa plant. This is a plant that comes in various types. The type that most people know of is the marijuana plant. This plant contains high amounts of THC and lower amounts of CBD. THC is the cannabinoid that creates the psychoactive effect that many have heard of. It is often referred to as a ‘high’ or euphoric feeling. This feeling is only available when the plant has high amounts of THC. This is the reason that there are only a handful of states that have legalized the use and growth of the marijuana plant. They have legalized it for medical and/or recreational uses.
CBD is also found in the marijuana plant but is at much lower percentages. Another variation of the Cannabis sativa plant is the Hemp plant. This is the plant that we source our CBD from. The hemp plant has very high amounts of CBD and at or lower than 0.3% of THC. CBD is a cannabinoid that does not give users a high effect. And because of this the hemp plant is legal throughout the United States as of 2018. The Farm Bill allows farmers across America to grow and sell the hemp plant. Without the possibility of getting ‘high’ there are many other potential CBD benefits. One of them? Topicals!
CBD topicals: how do they work?
First off, what is a topical? A topical is something that you place directly onto the skin. That “something” could be a lotion, gel, foam, cream, or even ointments. One of the more important things to note about CBD topicals is that the CBD contained in the product usually reaches the bloodstream. This is unlike most CBD products. CBD cannot penetrate the skin, but it is absorbed by the skin to reap benefits dermally. CBD topicals are best used when they are used often and liberally.
In this study they had subjects with severe skin conditions apply CBD topicals to their affected areas twice daily for three months. They conducted three different tests: a hydration test, an elasticity test, and a TEWL (transdermal water loss). There was also a questionnaire to be taken. At the end of the study they concluded that THC free CBD significantly improved the skin conditions of the subjects. There were no allergic reactions to the topical application. To support their conclusion, they used photographic evidence. Because of this study we can infer that CBD topicals would be useful for those who do not have skin conditions as well. It may be potentially beneficial for daily use to improve one’s overall skin health. Now that we understand the potential benefits, what products are available? How do you use them?
Topical Products
Now, what CBD products provided by Panacea Life Sciences are you able to choose from?
Soothe CBD Salve: Ingredients found in this topical are: Shea butter, Coconut oil, Jojoba oil, Argan oil, CBD Hemp oil, Calendula, Arnica. Essential Oils: Lavender, Eucalyptus, Rosemary, Camphor. This product is formulated to possibly help relieve a variety of discomforts. This is best used in a specific area to provide the most benefits.
Transform THC-Free CBD Face Cream: This is the first type of CBD face cream that you will see. This is specially formulated for your face to potentially help with anti-aging, soothing, age spot correcting, sun damage correcting, and overall skin health. This would be best used twice daily for full benefits. The ingredient list includes: Purified Water, Sorbitol Solution, CBD Hemp Oil, White Petrolatum, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Propylene Glycol, Simethicone, Polyethylene Glycol Monostearate, Glycerol Monostearate, Sorbic Acid and BHT.
Transform Natural CBD Face Cream: If you prefer to get the full spectrum of the hemp plant’s cannabinoids then this product may be for you. This product is similar to the THC free face cream in what it may do for you and your skin health, but this has the full profile that you may be interested in. The ingredient list looks like this: Purified Water, Sorbitol Solution, CBD Hemp Oil, White Petrolatum, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Propylene Glycol, Simethicone, Polyethylene Glycol Monostearate, Glycerol Monostearate, Sorbic Acid and BHT. Each of the face creams come in two different sizes.
CBD Hand Sanitizer: Yes, it is true. There is hand sanitizer that has CBD in it, but, why? CBD has been described to have antibacterial properties. Therefore, the CBD hand sanitizer was born. Instead of using a hand sanitizer with unknown chemicals, you can gear toward a more holistic way of cleaning.
Cleansing CBD Hand Cream: This is similar to the CBD hand sanitizer but, with an added cream aspect. Moisturize and clean at the same time without CBD hand cleansing cream. This leaves the hands sanitized and soft.
Other CBD Uses
Now that we know that there are skin health benefits that you may reap from CBD. What else can it do?
May promote a sense of calm: CBD has been described as promoting a sense of calm in those who have feelings of anxiousness. In this study they tested people who have SAD (Social Anxiety Disorder). The subjects were given either a placebo or CBD. They used neuroimaging (pictures of the brain) to see the results. To put it simply, those who were given CBD showed significantly lower SAD brain activity.
May have anti-inflammatory properties: We here at Panacea Life Sciences have done our own research for this certain benefit. We had owners of pets who have age related movement issues administer their “man’s best friend” CBD. One of the hardships of aging is that joint health and flexibility deteriorate possibly due to inflammation. Pet owners described their pets gaining more joint mobility while using the CBD and therefore increasing their ability to run, climb stairs, and overall quality of life.
FDA approved medication: There are several FDA approved medications that contain CBD. Epidiolex, among others. This medication helps those with two severe types of epilepsy, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome. Then there are other medications that are used to help those going through anti-cancer treatments with the nausea it comes along with.
This is only a small list but, we are guessing it will keep growing. With CBD on the forefront there needs to be a lot more research and testing to be done to see what CBD is really capable of.
So, what other CBD products are there?
Other CBD Products
There are many different CBD products that are not even used for skin health but, for the other reasons stated above. Here is a list of a few that we offer:
Vapes: Panacea Life Sciences does not sell CBD vapes nor do we advocate for the use of them. With that being said it is important to understand them. After the CBD is inhaled it is absorbed through the lungs and then on into the bloodstream. This works quickly but can have negative effects for the lungs.
Tablets: This type of CBD is very easy to use. You just place it in your mouth, let it dissolve and you are done! After being dissolved the CBD reaches the bloodstream through the mouth. This is a very quick way to get CBD into your bloodstream. Our CBD tablets come in 25 mg and 50 mg. We also provide equine tablets as well.
Tinctures: The way that a tincture gets into the bloodstream is similar to the way a tablet does. But, instead of a dissolvable tablet a tincture is an oil like substance. With the dropper, place the wanted amount of CBD into the mouth and let it sit there until dissolved. This also gets in the bloodstream quickly.
Soft gels: Soft gel CBD is a great way to get CBD into your routine. Our soft capsules are taken like any type of pill. Swallow and go! The capsule is full of CBD. Once it reaches the stomach through the digestive tract it breaks down and is absorbed into the bloodstream from the stomach and small intestine. These take a bit longer to feel but, some have described to last a bit longer.
Edibles: Edibles and soft gels are similar but a bit different. So, instead of swallowing a capsule, edibles come in a variety of different yummy types. We sell Cherry Bomb gummies. Like soft gels, after swallowing the edible breaks down in the stomach and the CBD is absorbed from there.
Extraction: why is it important?
Extraction is the way that we take the CBD out of the hemp plant. This is a very important process that you should be aware of, but why? Here is a list of the different types of extraction and how they work.
Carbon dioxide extraction: Carbon dioxide is used to extract the CBD from the plant by using “supercritical” which, in simple terms means, using both carbon dioxide liquid and gas properties to extract. This is why carbon dioxide extraction is often known as Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SFE). In the beginning of the extraction, two different pressurized chambers are used. One, with the carbon dioxide, while the other contains the hemp plant. Then the chamber filled with carbon dioxide is pressurized and cooled to create liquid CO2. This is then pumped into the second chamber containing the hemp, where it infuses the hemp plant to solubilize the hemp oil allowing separation of the oil from the plant matter. The CO2 hemp oil mixture is then pumped into a third chamber where the carbon dioxide is evaporated, leaving behind pure CBD oil.
Steam distillation: In this process, the steam separates the CBD oil from the plant itself. The hemp is placed in a separate container while a boiler is full of water beneath the hemp. Once boiling, the steam from the water travels upward to extract the CBD oil as a vapor from the hemp plant. The vapor from the plant is then trapped in a tube and added to oil or water. After this is collected, the oil is extracted from the water to make an oil. This process works well but requires a lot of the hemp plant and if the steam gets too hot it may damage the CBD oil extract.
Solvent extraction (hydrocarbons and natural solvents): This process is similar to the Steam Distillation extraction method. But, in this process one would use a type of solvent rather than water. The solvent and CBD oil are combined and then the solvent is extracted leaving the CBD behind. There are two types of solvents used: hydrocarbons and natural solvents. Some solvents that can be used include naphtha, petroleum, butane, or propane for hydrocarbon extraction. Natural extraction will use food-grade ethanol to extract the hemp oil. Following extraction, the ethanol is removed by heat leaving a rich solvent- free hemp oil.
Because of these different types of extraction methods each CBD product may not be made equally. Keep the type of extraction method you would prefer when looking for potential CBD products. As always, make sure to read the ingredient list before purchasing any CBD!
Your skin health and CBD
There are many skin health products out on the market today. Opting for a more holistic product could bring great potential to your skin health. Hopefully after reading this blog post you can go forward with your CBD journey with more knowledge. As they say, knowledge is power. As always, if you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact us at [email protected].
