When we talk about all that CBD is capable of, we rarely focus on the health of the skin. We get it – it’s hard not to be excited about hemp’s potential to help out with stress, pain and all kinds of other things that we have to deal with on a regular basis. But the fact of the matter is that the health of the skin is just as important as the health of the rest of the body. Not only is skin part of a major bodily system, but often, poor skin health can be indicative of an underlying issue that needs to be addressed.
Before discussing what CBD could do for this, let’s talk about many of the common causes of poor skin health, as well as the conditions that are very prevalent today.
The Importance of Skin Health
We tend to underestimate the important of maintaining good skin health, brushing it off as a superficial pursuit. But if we don’t take care of our skin, our bodies can suffer. For one thing, excessive dryness and certain inflammatory conditions can lead to cracks and cuts that can allow germs to enter the body. Further, many nutrients absorb easily through the skin, and by using all-natural, plant-based skin products, we are supplying our body with transdermal doses of essential vitamins, minerals and more.
Common Skin Conditions
Let’s break down some of the common skin conditions that require some type of medical intervention.
Skin Condition #1: Eczema
Eczema is a condition in which patches of the skin become inflamed, leading to itching, redness, flaking and dryness. Most eczema sufferers find that their condition is worse during the cold months of the year.
Skin Condition #2: Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic, incurable condition that also involves inflammation of the skin. It usually affects the elbows, knees and scalp, and results in scaly patches of dead skin that become very itchy and can lead to bleeding as the skin cracks. Psoriasis tends to involve flareups followed by asymptomatic periods.
Skin Condition #3: Aging
Aging is an unavoidable part of life, so technically it’s not a condition. But, as we age, the skin loses its elasticity, and the depletion of certain hormones causes the skin to take on many physical changes.
Skin Condition #4: Dryness
Many of us have dry skin, and we disregard it as our natural skin type. The problem is that dry skin can lead to issues like irritation, inflammation, and the buildup of dead skin cells.
Skin Condition #5: Skin Sensitivity
Having sensitive skin can be something that a person is born with, or it can be the result of exposing the skin to harsh chemicals that dry out the skin’s surface layer of moisture.
Factors That Can Compromise Skin Health
Now, let’s run through the various factors that can cause skin health to decline.
Factor #1: Neglect
Many of us neglect our skin, or at least the skin on our bodies, by not sticking to a routine that benefits the many layers. One thing that we all need to supplement with is moisture. Skin is naturally prone to dryness, and so we must moisturize at least a couple times a week to keep the skin healthy. We also need to be aware of skin conditions as soon as symptoms present themselves so that we can take action.
Factor #2: Hormonal Changes or Imbalances
Our hormones dictate a lot about the health of our skin. Sudden hormonal changes or imbalances can cause everything from excessive dryness to acne.
Factor #3: Poor Diet
Our skin needs a balance of the right nutrients, minerals and acids to remain healthy. A poor diet can lead to a variety of skin-related issues.
Factor #4: Substance Abuse
Substance abuse is a common cause of poor skin health, as many substances can literally rob the skin of essential nutrients.
Factor #5: A Lack of Exercise
Exercise is beneficial to every bodily system, including the system that controls skin health. Exercise increases blood flow and oxygen to the skin, while helping balance hormones that directly determine the skin’s overall condition.
Factor #6: Stress
Stress and skin share a close relationship. When a person is stressed, their hormones rapidly change as cortisol levels increase. Increased cortisol can lead to inflammation of the skin resulting in everything from eczema to acne.
Factor #7: Environmental Factors
Environmental factors like pollution and incredibly dry weather can cause a variety of skin issues.
CBD for Skin Health: How it Works
CBD works with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which performs regulatory actions throughout every bodily system in an effort to help the body achieve homeostasis. Therefore, it’s natural that giving the body CBD would support the endocannabinoid system’s ability to regulate skin health. There are cannabinoid receptors in the skin that utilize cannabinoids like CBD for this purpose.
CBD for Acne
Studies show that CBD may help calm acne by reducing inflammation of the skin while simultaneously preventing cyst-like pimples from developing.
CBD for Inflammatory Skin Conditions
Research displayed when applied topically to the skin, CBD may help calm inflammatory conditions like psoriasis and eczema by regulating inflammation levels throughout the skin.
CBD for Aging
CBD has been found to be naturally rich in antioxidants, hence, antioxidants can benefit skin health by preventing free radicals from damaging skin cells, which can accelerate the aging process.
How to Use CBD for Skin-Related Purposes
Now that you’ve read about all of CBD’s potential uses, you’re probably ready to start investing in some. But, first, let us share a few things that you need to keep in mind.
First off, when dealing with skin-related issues, topical CBD products are the way to go. There are typically two categories of CBD topicals: skincare and therapeutic.
- Therapeutic topicals are more intended for use on the body, as they supply the skin of the body with anti-inflammatory, analgesic and other properties.
- CBD skincare products, meanwhile, are directly intended for benefiting the skin of the face. They are also less likely to clog the pores.
We recommend that whichever type of CBD product you use, you use it on a daily basis for the best results.
What We Can Gather So Far
As you can see, enough studies are out there that support the idea that CBD may have an impact on the overall health of your skin. The key to taking advantage of this is choosing the right formulas and milligram strengths for your specific needs.
Kigh CBD carries a wide array of hemp-based products specifically formulated for your skin.