If you have ever suffered from acne, you know how debilitating it may be. Everywhere you look, there is a new cream, wash, or medication out for you to use. However, you’ve likely tried a good amount of these in the past already. It could also be possible you’ve avoided all of them in hopes a natural cure would arrive. With the rise in popularity of CBD oils, gummies, and various other remedies, some people have started to ask us about its use for skin conditions such as acne. Would CBD be helpful for acne? Recent studies suggest CBD may positively affect acne, and we’ll explore more about that below. Keep reading on, and we’ll tell you more about CBD, the causes of this devastating skin condition, and why CBD may be helpful for acne.
What is CBD?
The first thing we should talk about is exactly what CBD is. CBD stands for cannabidiol, which is derived from the Cannabis Sativa plant, also known as the Marijuana or Hemp plant. It is a naturally occurring compound in the plant that is known to help bring relaxation, calm, and stress relief when ingested. It should be noted that the psychoactive compound THC in the Marijuana plant, called 9-tetrahydrocannabinol, is what gives the “high” feeling and what would make you fail a drug test. CBD is not a psychogenic substance and will not alter your mood or mental inebriation in that way.
There are two main species of the Cannabis Sativa plant, Marijuana that has elevated levels of THC and the Industrial Hemp plant that is naturally low in THC. . The hemp plant’s low level of THC makes it ideal for making CBD oil. Don’t get confused by Hemp seed oil, which is made from the cold-pressed seeds of the Hemp plant. While this oil contains a lot of heart-healthy fats, it does not contain any cannabinoids, including CBD and THC.
CBD has been studied for many years, and it’s been found to possess many beneficial health properties, including anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety, and antiseizure activities. CBD’s anti-inflammatory effects are of specific interest in exploring whether this compound will really help improve skin health and alleviate acne.
The Causes of Acne
Before we get too far in this discussion, it’s essential to understand the general causes of acne. By understanding what causes this skin affliction, it may help us discern why CBD oil may be able to help. Acne is caused by a mixture of excess oil, dirt, and dead skin cells that build up and clog pores. The clogged pore inhibits the skin’s ability to clear bacteria, which results in an immune reaction where the body tries to clear the pore and remove any accumulated bacteria. This results in the red, inflamed bumps, pustule formation, and pain that we associate with acne.
The best way to prevent this acne from occurring is to keep the skin clean by washing it with a cleaner that kills acne-causing bacteria as well as cutting back on excess oil that clogs the pores. Even when this is done, certain hormones cause the sebaceous glands to overproduce oil. These glands are located under our skin and produce an oily substance called sebum to help keep our skin hydrated. When they are enlarged, they produce an excess amount of oil that clogs the pores (this is especially common during puberty).
Would CBD Be Helpful for Acne?
Now that we know more about the causes of acne, we ask the question, would CBD be helpful for acne? The answer is yes! In fact, researchers posed the same question and published their results in The Journal of Clinical Investigation. Here is what they found:
“Collectively, our findings suggest that, due to the combined lipostatic, antiproliferative, and anti-inflammatory effects, CBD has potential as a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of acne vulgaris.”
To put it more simply, this groundbreaking study found that CBD stopped the overproduction of oil and also had anti-inflammatory effects on the skin and oil-producing glands. This helped prevent the production and reoccurrence of acne is most users.
If you are currently struggling with acne, or have already fought your battle with this condition, you may be concerned with resulting scars caused by the blemishes. CBD may help minimize skin scarring. A recent study examined whether CBD would treat psoriasis plaques and skin scarring (Bl Palmieri et al. Clin Ter 2019 v 170 ppe93-99). While this study did not focus specifically on scars caused by acne blemishes, the researchers found that skin scarring was significantly lessened by applying a CBD topical ointment twice daily to their scars for 90 days. After the three months were up, the results showed improved skin hydration, elasticity, and reduction to the appearance of the scars.
The Best Way to Use CBD for Acne
There are many different types of CBD products that you try for your acne. There are topicals, edibles, tinctures, and even capsules options available. While any of these methods prove helpful, the best way to use CBD for acne is through topicals like creams, balms, and salves. CBD is absorbed readily by the skin. CBD will accumulate in the various types of cells in your skin, including sebaceous glands, to reduce excess oil production and immune skin cells to reduce inflammation. The best part is, while it reduces the oil in your skin, it may still keep it incredibly hydrated, keeping your skin smooth, supple, and blemish-free.
Use CBD Oil and Topical Creams to Help with Acne
Scientists are was continuing to explore all of the wonderful things that CBD oil has to offer us. One thing that has already been confirmed is CBD’s ability to positively affect skin health. Using a topical cream, balm, or salve containing CBD oil is one of the best ways to help your skin restore balance to help fight acne. Plus, CBD might help reduce the visibility of any old scars while keeping your skin hydrated and feeling amazing.
If you’re suffering from acne and you’re tired of trying product after product that’s only filled with chemicals, we suggest exploring the all-natural route! CBD may help reduce oil production on your face while reducing irritation and inflammation. Other studies have shown that CBD oil may be a promising antibacterial agent as well. Considering CBD is completely natural and only has a long list of positive benefits for your skin, it definitely couldn’t hurt to try it. Many users report clearer skin after only just a few weeks of use.
