Tag: skincare

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This article was originally published on SundayScaries.

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CBD sits right in the junction of modern society’s current concerns about beauty, health, and emotional wellbeing. Given the trials and tribulations that life presents us with on a continuous basis, it really is no surprise that everyone is in search of the holy grail that will provide them with the serenity that we are all seeking in one way or another. Cue CBD, which has taken the world by storm by shaking the stoner stereotype often associated with marijuana and donning a sleek, luxurious cloak.

These days, CBD can be found in everything from organic gummies and potent tinctures to iced lattes and gold-plated vape pens that casually adorn the shelves of luxury boutiques. Celebrities have latched onto the CBD trend too, with personalities such as Kim Kardashian wanting to throw a CBD-themed baby shower. And let’s not forget about that ultra-chic brand, Beboe, that has swiftly become one of the most in-demand CBD skincare brands in the US.

A recent report from a popular marijuana delivery platform revealed that the percentage of women forming the cannabis consumer market outweighed the quantity of men. It was also shown that the likelihood of women incorporating cannabis into their personal care regimes is 67 percent more than men. With all the environmental issues that our planet is experiencing, it makes perfect sense that people are now more inclined to want to use naturally derived products. And this is why we can expect to see CBD positively thriving in a billion-dollar beauty products industry.

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What are the Benefits of Using CBD in Skincare

Experts in the beauty industry agree that CBD offers a multi-faceted approach to nourishing skincare. It has strong anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties and it’s also a powerful anti-oxidant. Inflammation and skin aging catalysts for each other, and CBD has been proven to reduce inflammation. It also hydrates the skin and stimulates collagen production, diminishing the appearance of wrinkles. It is rich in vitamins that contribute to healthy, balanced skin.

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How Does CBD Combat Wrinkles and Skin Conditions?

Our skin features the highest concentration of cannabinoid receptors. These receptors are found all throughout the body and this comprises what’s known as an endocannabinoid system, which is basically responsible for regulating essential bodily functions and responses to things like stress, immunity, sebum production, and hormones. Research has revealed that CBD interacts with these receptors, which is the reason our skin responds so well to it. When dealing with issues like inflammation, bacteria, and lipid reduction (which can cause acne), CBD balances everything via the stimulation of the cannabinoid receptors in the skin.

Research still has a long way to go before skincare brands can start making firm claims with regard to CBD’s ability to soothe skin complaints and reduce the signs of aging, but what we know so far is that it definitely has strong potential to be highly effective at reducing skin irritation and redness, making wrinkles less visible and treating conditions like psoriasis and acne.

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Which Method of Using CBD is Most Effective for Healthy Skin?

Taking any form of CBD definitely increases your chances of having healthier skin, but there is a difference between eating a CBD infused gummy and applying a topical serum. For starters, you should understand that if you ingest CBD, there is a 100-percent chance of that active ingredient reaching your bloodstream. Whether that is through mouth tissue or your digestive system, you will reap the benefits. But, due to the fact that it passes through your body into the bloodstream, bioavailability will differ.

When CBD is applied directly to the skin it has less chance of reaching your bloodstream, but when the endocannabinoid receptors in your skin absorb it, it tends to works quite fast for localized surface-level treatment. So, if you want to improve issues like sore or dry skin, blemishes, or wrinkles, the topical application will be a winner thanks to the localized concentrated effect.

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What About Skin Conditions Like Acne?

Many people who suffer from acne and oily or sensitive skin have had fantastic results after using CBD skincare, reporting that their skin quickly felt and looked better. Redness and greasy skin can improve in as little as just a few applications, depending on the severity of the complaint you are experiencing. But, those who suffer from breakouts that are stress-related or linked to poor sleeping and eating habits have also found that CBD oil taken sublingually has been responsible for the drastic improvements they have experienced. At this stage, both methods appear to be successful based on word-of-mouth testimonies.

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What to Look for in CBD Skin-Care Products

With so many options available in the CBD skincare realm, it’s important to know what qualities to look for when making a choice. A premium quality product will be made using full-spectrum CBD oil, so you benefit from the goodness found in every part of the cannabis plant and not just CBD. It should be pesticide- and GMO-free, as well as being subject to third-party lab testing. Lab testing is important, as it is proof that the ingredients on the label match those found inside the product. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the brand, do your research and listen to advice provided by reputable brands.

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This article by Kim Torres was originally published on SundayScaries.

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Although you probably remember learning about mitochondria and the Cold War back in high school, there’s one lesson we all wish we’d learned then: that leaving our teen years behind does not necessarily mean being acne-free.

While most of us hoped that our breakouts would be the least of our worries after our prom photos were taken and our dorm rooms were moved into, the reality is: It is completely normal (and unfortunately common) for people to get acne well into their twenties, thirties, and beyond.

If you still struggle with blackheads and zits, it may be weighing down your self-esteem. Of course, no one should feel embarrassed or insecure about acne, but for many of us, we would still prefer to enjoy clear skin.

You may have tried over-the-counter drugstore products, do-it-yourself face masks from the internet, or even dermatologist-prescribed medications to treat your acne. If nothing has been successful so far, there is one potential new solution that you might not be aware of—CBD oil.

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What Is CBD?

You might not be familiar with CBD, CBD products, or hemp oil. If you are, you might be thinking, “Hey, that is just marijuana, right?” You may also be thinking, “How will that help me with my skin?”

Yes, cannabidiol (CBD) is a cannabinoid derived from hemp—it comes from the cannabis plant—but CBD is not the same as THC. THC is the chemical that makes you high when you smoke or consume marijuana. This means that even if you wanted to get high or buzzed from CBD, it will not happen. It simply does not have the same effect as THC.

However, research shows that there may be a number of medical benefits associated with CBD. Compared to a lot of other products on the market, CBD is just starting to receive the attention from researchers that it deserves, but so far studies are showing CBD can be an effective treatment for anxiety and seizures.

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CBD and Skin Care

It is important to understand that skin health is one of the many things that are influenced by our endocannabinoid system (to keep the scientific language to a minimum, this is the same bodily system that cannabis products, including CBD and THC, interact with). Our endocannabinoid system is the reason why cannabis products can influence so many aspects of our health, and why people experience such a broad range of results when using them.

So, it makes sense that CBD products can affect the general health of our skin and even treat acne. In fact, CBD is now being used in more and more beauty products. So far, research has suggested that cannabidiol oil can influence our skin health in two distinct ways: reducing inflammation and regulating oil production.

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Reducing Inflammation

Inflammation is a leading symptom of acne—it is the reason why, even under a thick layer of foundation, your zit will remain red and obviously visible. By reducing inflammation, you can reduce the appearance of acne and speed the healing process.

So far, research has pointed to CBD as having an anti-inflammatory effect, which could improve the health of your skin.

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Regulating Oil Production

Although inflammation is an all too common symptom of acne, oil production is the actual underlying cause. Sebum, which is produced in the sebaceous glands, is a naturally occurring oil used to lubricate your skin. But…when it is over-produced, your pores end up clogged and a break-out erupts. You end up with oily skin and clogged pores through dead skin cells.

Studies are starting to show that CBD can be used to not only manage the unpleasant symptoms of acne but address the root causes as well through regulating the glands that produce sebum. This can help keep your pores clean and reduce acne without drying out your skin.

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Other Skin Care Tips

When it comes to dealing with acne, there are a lot of different factors at play. Some people are genetically more likely to break out while others mainly notice acne appear with lifestyle changes, such as a poor diet or stress. Likewise, some people will notice acne primarily during puberty, while others will battle with it well into adulthood.

Whether or not you think CBD is right for you, there are other actions you can incorporate into your lifestyle to prevent acne and heal breakouts, including:

• Avoid over washing your face: although it may be tempting, washing more than twice a day can be damaging to your skin in the long run
• If you wear makeup, remember to remove it before going to bed
• Try to cut greasy, heavily processed foods from your diet
• Stay hydrated throughout the day
• Do not forget to moisturize, but choose an oil-free product
• Avoid touching your face throughout the day
• Wash your pillowcases often and keep your phone screen clean
• Talk to a dermatologist if your current routine is not working and your acne is severe

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How to Use CBD for Acne

If you are interested in using CBD for acne, you might be wondering the best way to start taking it. You might even be wondering if it is safe and legal.

The good news is that CBD is a safe product that millions of people are already using worldwide—and as it does not contain THC, it is legal in all fifty states.

As mentioned before, more research on CBD is underway than ever before. So far, studies have been focusing on it being taken orally or transdermally (directly on the skin) when it comes to acne treatment.  For this reason, it is up to you. You might want to start by taking a tincture or edible product to see if you notice an improvement.

You can also purchase skin care products that contain CBD or purchase a tincture and create your own home treatments (in the long run, this option might save you money and ensure you know exactly what ingredients are in your skin care products).

Ultimately, the choice is yours—whether you wish to use it as a face wash or take it orally, the only thing you have to lose is your pesky acne.

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This article first appeared on SundayScaries.

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Sometimes it can be hard to keep up with cosmetic and skincare trends. Is activated charcoal truly the miracle solution it’s marketed as? Will coconut oil change your life? Is a product with seaweed truly worth paying an extra ten bucks for?

If you have been swayed into buying a pricey cosmetic solution that did not deliver the promised results, you may be hesitant to jump onto any more skincare bandwagons.

However, what if there were products on the market backed by actual scientific research?

See, it can be challenging to get an in-depth perspective on how effective your everyday skincare products are. Ultimately, there is minimal demand for scientific research into how soft cocoa butter can make your skin or which natural extracts can reduce the look of scars and stretch marks.

However, there is one natural product that has been getting more attention than ever from the scientific community: Cannabidiol (CBD). Though hemp oil, cannabis oil, and marijuana, all come from the cannabis plant, pure CBD and CBD products have absolutely no THC and therefore cannot make you high. Instead, CBD is often used for a wide range of medicinal and wellness purposes: blood pressure, eczema pain relief (including chronic pain), certain types of skin cancer, Dravet syndrome, Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis, post-traumatic stress disorder, and Alzheimer’s disease are just a few areas where patients benefit from CBD oil and its derivatives.

Evidence has touted it as a potential treatment for epilepsy and mental illness, but can it help you with your skin? The beauty industry seems to think so, considering CBD is quickly becoming one of the most popular ingredients in both high-end and affordable drugstore-brand products.

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CBD and Science

Before you find out what the beauty industry is saying about CBD, it’s important to understand what the scientific community is saying about it. Although it’s ultimately up to you and your doctor what you consume, and every person will respond differently to CBD, research has suggested there are three main benefits to CBD when it comes to skin care: reducing inflammation, regulating oil production, and helping with stress management.

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Inflammation

Inflammation is one of those broad terms that can impact every aspect of your health. When a clogged pore is inflamed, the end result is a nasty, noticeable zit that draws attention in any conversation.

But inflammation is also a key issue when it comes to aging. According to evidence, inflammation is a primary cause of the visible and unpleasant signs of aging, and CBD has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties.

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Oil Production

Acne occurs when our pores get clogged with an oil called sebum. On its own, sebum is a good thing—it keeps our face lubricated and our skin should have a healthy amount. However, people prone to breakouts tend to produce too much sebum, and this leaves clogged pores and unsightly blemishes.

Recent research is suggesting that CBD can actually help the glands that produce sebum to better regulate the oil that we produce, in turn helping prevent oily, acne-ridden skin.

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Stress Management

Stress is a lightning rod for acne and signs of aging. During the busiest times in our life, we tend to notice more frequent breakouts and, as time goes on, we tend to display our daily stress through wrinkles and creases in our face.

Although we have many options to handle stress (including behavioral therapy, daily exercise, and cutting out activities, obligations, and people that increase stress) not all of them are easily available. After all, we might believe that quitting our jobs and moving to a tropical island is just what we need to reduce stress, but that is not exactly possible for all of us.

Research is still underway on the full spectrum of benefits that CBD offers, but studies that have been done so far point to it as being a tool to battle stress and anxiety and promote healthy sleep, which, in turn, can leave your skin healthier than ever.

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What the Beauty Industry Thinks

The beauty industry has seemed to take the recent research into CBD in great strides, as it is becoming a mega-popular ingredient in both make-up and skin cleansing. The proof is in the pudding: both the popular drugstore brands you use every day and high-end brands used by celebrities and professional make-up artists are using CBD as a core ingredient.

Even Vogue—yes, Vogue—is touting the benefits of CBD. When the world’s most prevalent fashion and beauty magazine is taking CBD seriously, you know that there is a good reason for it.

Overall, if CBD-infused cosmetics and skincare products are something you want to try, you will not struggle to find products within your price range and your area. In coming months and years, we predict that CBD will be a leading beauty trend, and it will be hard to avoid a moisturizing face mask or daily cleanser without it in the ingredients list. However, there is an easier way.

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Making Your Own Beauty Products

If the last thing you want is to spend another $30 on a beauty product that will collect dust in your bathroom caddy, there is a solution: simply make your own products.

Creating your own beauty products from scratch might seem daunting at first but the truth is that high-quality skincare products are already using natural ingredients available at your local supermarket, and DIY recipes can be found scattered across the Internet.

In fact, some of the research cited above has suggested that the benefits of CBD were reaped both when it was applied to the skin and taken orally, meaning simply ingesting CBD every day can lead to an improvement in your skin, no other ingredients needed.

If you are unsure how to filter through the many brands offering CBD-infused products right now, consider starting with the purchase of a tincture. You can take this on your own orally and, if you do not see an improvement, start using it as a face wash or adding it to DIY recipes. At the end of the day, with or without expensive brand name products, your skin will thank you for taking action. From dealing with pain to skincare, CBD products are slowly but surely starting to lead the way.