The last foliage to gain this much fame was kale, but there’s a new leaf on the block – the marijuanaissance is here. As CBD continues to gather momentum, cannabis ingredients are securing a place on the shelves alongside stalwart luxe beauty and wellbeing brands.
Skin problems often flare up as a result of inflammation, which makes cannabinoids’ the perfect candidate for solutions, given their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities. This incredible ingredient is well-qualified to help with puffing, swelling, and soreness. Look around, and you’re likely to spot a plethora of products from shampoos to hand creams, but there’s very little in the way of explaining how cannabis can calm your skin. Here’s the lowdown.
Cannabis is undergoing a shift in perception as it moves from a fundamentally misunderstood ingredient to a substance more akin to a vitamin. On top of its anti-inflammation abilities, it contains vitamin A, D and E, as well as essential fatty acids.
Your body already produces anandamide which is a cannabis-type chemical, aka the ‘bliss molecule,’ which is responsible for the sense of elation joggers experience when they exercise. CBD naturally boosts the degree of anandamide in your body and brain which has anti-inflammatory outcomes. With these kinds of abilities, CBD is used to manage treatment-resistant epilepsy, anxiety and pain.
On the one hand, when you consume CBD, it infiltrates your bloodstream and activates your endocannabinoid receptors. On the other hand, when you apply it on your skin, it has a localised effect, taking action where you put it on.
Whether you’re dealing with acne or itching – inflammation is at the core of most skin issues. Topical CBD is stepping up and standing out; sporting robust anti-inflammatory and pain-killing powers. As studies continue to confirm, it’s an emerging ally in remedying skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis and dry skin. This is why this powerful ingredient is surfacing in a variety of creams, serums and lotions.
Acne is awful; we’ve all been there – blocked pores, oily skin and the whole horrible cycle of toxic treatments. The great news is a 2014 study established that CBD can regulate the oil that the sebaceous glands produce. Even though the research is in early stages, this gives both acne sufferers and dermatologists an alternative to potent pharmaceutical options, without the steroids. Because CBD keeps inflammation and oil production in check, it tackles two aspects of acne and could replace retinoid treatment which can do more damage before helping to heal.
If you’re fed up with pain-pill-popping, rubbing topical CBD onto problem areas can shrink swelling and pain. There’s plenty of pre and post-workout balms, rubs and massage oils for painful joints and muscles.
It’s reassuring to be able to trace your food back to the source; similarly, it’s comforting to know the ABC’s of your CBD. It’ not sufficient just to know if it’s CBD or hemp extract you’re getting; educate yourself as to how processed your product is. More often than not, highly processed products remove the phytonutrients, leaving you with a near ineffective CBD isolate, containing no active cannabinoids. Explore each product’s authenticity by checking the pack for proof of the whole plant extract; this is what separates the bogus brands from the products that do this ingredient proud.
In a saturated landscape, some products leap out as cream-of-the-crop brands in their effective utilisation of CBD. Keep your eye out for Herb Essntls, Apothecanna, Cannuka, Lord Jones or Leef Organics as a starting point.
