CBD Cosmetics enriched with cannabidiols. What are the effects of CBD here?

CBD cosmetics are one of the revolutionary novelties on the market. We write about its functioning in the article below.

CBD – or cannabidiol – is one of the most well-known cannabinoids found in cannabis due to its versatile use. It has no psychoactive effects and since last year (2021) it can also be legally used in cosmetic products in Slovakia. Today we will look at its effects in cosmetics, why CBD cosmetics are becoming more and more popular and what skin problems CBD can help with.

CBD cosmetics and its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects

What are antioxidants and where can we find them?

To begin with, we will briefly explain what antioxidants are and why they are necessary for our body. When the body does not have enough antioxidants, oxidative stress can occur. This is a condition where the body has a deficiency of antioxidants and a lot of free radicals (small reactive particles that are produced in the body during various metabolic processes and have one unpaired, reactive electron) that damage healthy cells. Antioxidants provide free electrons to free radicals – they neutralize them, thereby reducing their reactivity and protecting cells from being destroyed. Although the body produces its own antioxidants to protect us from damage, this natural production decreases as we age, so they need to be replenished with a balanced diet and vitamins.
Foods rich in antioxidants include berries (blueberries, strawberries), spices and herbs (cloves, cinnamon, mint leaves, oregano or thyme), nuts such as walnuts and pecans, curly kale, dried apples, broccoli, spinach, green tea, beans or dark chocolate (1).

CBD cosmetics as an antioxidant

CBD represents antioxidants due to its identical effects. Studies agree that its antioxidant effects are 30-50% stronger than other known antioxidants (vitamin E or C) (2). Cannabidiol offers a free electron, thus reversing cell damage caused by free radicals. It has also been shown to enhance the effect of the antioxidant superoxide dismutase, a naturally occurring antioxidant in the body that reduces the reactivity of free radicals – superoxides) (3). In addition, CBD molecules react with the receptors of the endocannabinoid system, which also takes care of the redox balance in our body – thus balancing the amount of free radicals.

Antioxidants in CBD cosmetics

The human skin is both the outermost and our largest organ. It is constantly exposed to a large number of external and internal cell-damaging free radicals, against which it protects itself by its own mechanisms. While internal free radicals are regulated by antioxidants derived from melanin, protection against free radicals from the external environment is taken care of by antioxidants applied to the skin or taken internally.
Oxidative stress damages collagen and thus prevents the skin’s natural renewal. This results in weakened skin, wrinkles, acne or visible pigment spots. The combination of UV rays and free radicals causes melanin (discoloration) in the skin. However, cosmetics enriched with antioxidants stimulate collagen production, thereby improving the skin’s natural ability to regenerate, preventing sun damage, protecting the skin from visible signs of aging, and reducing the risk of abnormal pigment spots.

Anti-inflammatory effects

All antioxidants also have anti-inflammatory effects. The manifestation of inflammation is important for the body’s immune response and ability to fight the root cause of the problem. Inflammation or injury is signaled by proteins (cytokines) that are sent out by the cells of the immune system. It has been shown that CBD can control the production of cytokines and thus improve our defenses against inflammation (4). Similar to its antioxidant effects, the endocannabinoid system plays a role in inflammation, regulating the body’s processes at the time of inflammation.
CBD thus has an important role in cosmetics to strengthen the skin’s defences against inflammation or to combat the antioxidant stress that causes various more serious skin problems. In addition, many other effects of CBD in cosmetics have been proven.

Cosmetic products containing CBD can help with a variety of problems:

Acne-prone skin

Thanks to its anti-inflammatory effects and sebum regulation, it prevents the formation of acne, inflammation and redness. Additionally, CBD oils are some of the most unsaturated vegetable oils, which means they don’t clog pores (6).

Dry, dehydrated and chapped skin

CBD molecules retain epidermal water, preventing its loss and thus ensuring deep hydration of the skin (5).

Atopic eczema, psoriasis, skin diseases

Various studies have confirmed the improvement of various skin problems with regular application of CBD hemp ointment, such as psoriasis, atopic eczema, skin scars, warts, sores or blisters. CBD increases skin elasticity and hydration (5, 7).

Abnormal pigment spots

Cosmetics with CBD stimulate the production of melanin, which protects against damage from UV rays, ensuring normal skin coloration.

Oral hygiene

Cannabinoids such as CBD are very effective in killing bacteria associated with plaque formation (8).
CBD, a cannabinoid, is added to a variety of cosmetic products to take advantage of all its benefits. It can be found in anti-ageing products, night and day face masks, body oils, shampoos or soaps, ointments for pain or relaxation, and oral hygiene products. Moreover, no allergic reactions to CBD have been proven and also CBD cosmetics are suitable for all skin types.

Sources: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2841576/
Hampson, A., Grimaldi, M., Axelrod, J. and Wink, D. (1998). Cannabidiol and (-)9-tetrahydrocannabinol are neuroprotective antioxidants. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 95(14), pp.8268-8273.https://hemppedia.org/the-antioxidant-properties-of-cbd/#identifier_3_78187
Peres, F. F. et al. (2018) Cannabidiol as a promising strategy to treat and prevent movement disorders? Frontiers in pharmacology. [Online] 9 (MAY), 482-482. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2018.00482
Atalay, S., Jarocka-Karpowicz, I., & Skrzydlewska, E. (2019). Antioxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Cannabidiol. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland), 9(1), 21. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox9010021
Palmieri B, Laurino C, Vadalà M. (2019). A therapeutic effect of cbd-enriched ointment in inflammatory skin diseases and cutaneous scars. Clin Ter. 170(2):e93-e99. doi: 10.7417/CT.2019.2116. PMID: 30993303.
Brave, L.M., (2019). HSOA Journal of Alternative, Complementary & Integrative Medicine. Herals Scholarly Open Access. DOI: 10.24966/ACIM-7562/100060
Shukla, V.K.S. (2019). CBD Oil for Healthier-Looking Skin. International Cosmetic Science Centre A/S. [online] https://www.researchgate.net/publication/331935337_CBD_Oil_for_Healthier-Looking_Skin
Schofs, L. et al. (2021) The antimicrobial effect behind Cannabis sativa. Pharmacology research & perspectives. [Online] 9 (2), e00761-n/a. https://doi.org/10.1002/prp2.761
https://innocanpharma.com/antioxidative-and-anti-inflammatory-properties-of-cannabidiol/
https://hemppedia.org/the-antioxidant-properties-of-cbd/#footnote_3_78187

Hemp products in the article