The market is full of different products that claim to help consumers “look younger,” “get rid of skin damage,” or “anti-aging.” But, do we really believe these claims? If you take a look at the back of your current skin regime product I wouldn’t be surprised if products used will have many different ingredients that you have never heard of before. This does not mean that all the products you use are bad, it just means that maybe you need to take a second look for greater understanding.
If you have chosen to read this article it is likely that you are interested in a more holistic way to treat your skin health. Whether you are looking for a daily moisturizer or something to increase your skin health, cannabidiol (CBD) topicals may be exactly what you are looking for. We understand that trying something new can be intimidating and understanding what to look for can be difficult. That is why we are here. Panacea Life Sciences is here to help you understand the ins and outs of CBD, in general, as well as CBD skin health products. Let’s start off with the number one question we get, what is CBD?
CBD? What is it?
It is likely that you have heard of CBD and it is also likely that you have misunderstandings surrounding it. CBD is one of the 113 cannabinoids found in the Cannabis sativa plant. This cannabinoid is often confused with the cannabinoid tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
THC is the component that when used, gives users a feeling of euphoria or ‘high’. The use of THC products has only been legalized in a few states. Products that have a high percentage of THC come from the marijuana plant. The marijuana plant is a variety of the Cannabis sativa plant which has high amounts of THC and lower amounts of CBD. Marijuana has been legalized for medical use and/or recreational use in a handful of states.
CBD, however, is legal in all 50 states as long as it is produced from the hemp plant, Cannabis sativa L., (defined as plants that have less than 0.3% THC. This defined amount is quite low which minimizes the possibility that hemp users will become inebriated and is a major reason why hemp was legalized in the 2018 Farm Bill. CBD has a plethora of different wellness opportunities, but it will not get users high. Which is the number one common misconception!
What is in CBD cream? What is it made of?
So, what is in CBD cream? Well, it all depends on where you purchase your cream and the type of cream it is. Our Transform THC-Free CBD Face Cream has a very short list of ingredients: 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.
Our product is made from all-natural CBD oil that is THC free with a mixture of skin moisturizers and essential oils. If the product you are looking at does not have an ingredient list on its website, steer clear, it could contain substances that could be potentially harmful. This specific product also comes a full spectrum version, which means that it contains mutliple components from the hemp plant that may provide additional benefits. These two products, made specifically as a thicker face crème, are sold in two different package sizes. They may assist in anti-aging, soothing, age spot correcting, sun damage correcting, and all things skin health.
Each CBD product that you find may have a different ingredient list. As a rule of thumb, the shorter the better and the more ingredients you know, the better! What other CBD topicals are out there, you may ask?
Other CBD topicals
Besides our two different face creams, we have other options available to help with your skin health journey. An important factor of CBD topicals to understand is that it never reaches the bloodstream but may provide benefits from the pores of the skin.
Soothe CBD Salve: This topical has another short list of ingredients: 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 aches and pains. This is best used in a specific area to provide the most benefits.
CBD Hand Sanitizer: You may be thinking: CBD hand sanitizer? What is the point? CBD hand sanitizer does the same thing regular hand sanitizer does (diminish bacteria) but, with a twist. CBD! CBD itself has been known to have antibacterial properties. With added aloe for skin health and you are good to go.
Cleansing CBD Cream: This type of CBD topical is similar to the CBD hand sanitizer, but, with a nourishing twist. Our cleansing cream has all the bacteria fighting power with a skin softening agent.
There are many different types of CBD topicals available. It is important to check ingredient lists to ensure a high-quality product.
Other CBD products
There are many different CBD products available that are not for topical use. Here is a list of products that may be helpful to you.
Soft gels or capsules: Soft gels/capsules are available to take orally. After taking orally they are broken down by the stomach and then enter into the bloodstream through the digestive tract. This is an easy way to get a daily, accurate intake of CBD.
Edibles: This way of using CBD is similar to a soft gel or capsule. You can add CBD oil to your favorite snack or try out gummies for a daily ingestible. This way also takes longer to feel the effects but lasts longer too.
Vapes: Although Panacea Life Sciences does not advocate the use of vapes, it is an option for CBD use. This way of using CBD has the highest rate of absorption as it directly enters the bloodstream via inhalation. That being said it is important to note that the effects are shorter lived and have negative health associations.
Tincture: A CBD tincture is an oil like substance. After the CBD is extracted from the hemp plant it is added to a carrier oil. This tincture is best used by placing an amount under the tongue. From there it is absorbed into the bloodstream. This is another quick way to get CBD into the bloodstream. Oftentimes users are worried about the taste but there are flavors available. It is important to note that there are different types of CBD. Broad spectrum, full spectrum and Isolate.
- Broad Spectrum: This type of CBD contains all cannabinoids but lacks the presence of THC. So, if you want a full cannabinoid profile without THC, choose this type.
- Full Spectrum: Full spectrum as all of the cannabinoids. This includes THC and CBD, plus all the others. The THC must be under 0.3% to be deemed a CBD full spectrum product.
- Isolate: An isolate is a cannabinoid alone. In our case it would be a CBD isolate. There are no other cannabinoids present.
Extraction processes
When looking at CBD products it may be important to look at how the CBD is extracted from the hemp plant. Some methods may be preferred more than others. Here are the top three extraction methods.
Solvent Extraction (Hydrocarbons and Natural Solvents): This process one would use a type of solvent rather than water. The solvent and CBD oil are combined and then the solvent is removed leaving the CBD behind. There are two types of solvents typically used: hydrocarbons and natural solvents. Oils produced with solvents typically retain all the cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids form the plant, which as described above, may provide the entourage effect. Certain solvents may leave behind unwanted contaminants when, especially when naphtha, petroleum, butane, or propane are used. Extra testing should be done to make sure these elements are not there. Food grade ethanol is a natural solvent that produces contaminant-free CBD oil.
Carbon Dioxide Extraction: Carbon dioxide is used to extract the CBD from the plant by 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. The chamber filled with carbon dioxide is pumped into the second chamber containing the hemp, where it solubilizes the hemp oil and allows the plant material to be separated from the plant fiber. The CBD oil carbon dioxide mixture is then pumped into a third chamber where the carbon dioxide is evaporated, similar to how dry ice sublimates from solid to gas, leaving behind pure CBD oil without any solvent contaminations.
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 vapors 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 it does require a lot of the hemp plant and if the steam gets too hot it may damage the CBD oil extract.
What do people use CBD for?
Now that you have read what CBD cream is, what other products are available, and how CBD is extracted we bet you are wondering what people even use CBD for? Well, we are here to answer that question. Here is a list of why people choose to use CBD products.
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. Researchers used neuroimaging (pictures of the brain) to see the results. To put it simply, those who were given CBD showed significantly lower SAD-related brain activity. This shows the CBD was able to help produce a sense of calm.
Anti-inflammatory: 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 disorders provide CBD to their pet dogs. One of the hardships of aging are deteriorating joints that limit mobility and is associated with inflammation and pain. Pet owners described their pets gaining more joint mobility and flexibility being able to stand from a sitting position more easily, climb stairs and run. This is preliminary information that suggests CBD may help maintain and support joint health.
Skin health: Here is a refresher of what we have stated above: Although CBD topical typically does not reach the bloodstream it does not mean that they cannot assist in healthy skin. This study shows that those with and without skin conditions had improved skin health after the use of CBD topicals. Scientists used three different tests to test the skin before and after as well as photographic evidence.
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.
CBD and your skin, now what?
There are so many different aspects of CBD and what CBD can be used for. This is great but can also be confusing at times. We hope that after reading this article that you are more educated on CBD and the ways in which it may help you. Finding a reputable company to purchase your CBD from is key. Look for a company who explains their extraction process, testing processes and shows their ingredients on the label! Also look out for companies who make claims surrounding their CBD without evidence to back it up. We here at Panacea Life Sciences are committed to bringing the best CBD available to our customers. Feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns at [email protected]
