At this point, cannabidiol (CBD) isn't anything new. It has gradually evolved from an unfamiliar ingredient into a topic of polite conversation between friends and family. Even if you haven't personally tried it as part of your wellness routine, chances are you know someone who has. But CBD isn't just about tinctures and internal wellness anymore—it's quickly become a breakthrough ingredient in skincare.
Hydrating, nourishing, and rejuvenating, CBD brings many benefits to your skincare routine beyond just another viral trend. Thanks to a promising body of research, there seems to be some very real support for what CBD can do.
If you're new to CBD as part of a skincare regimen, you're in the right place. Below, we've gathered everything you need to know about this cannabinoid and your skin. We look at the latest research, its limitations, and tips for bringing CBD into your own daily self-care rituals.
How CBD Interacts with Skin
If you are familiar with other types of CBD products, like oils and edibles, you may be familiar with the story of how it works: the endocannabinoid system (ECS).
This is the recently discovered, body-wide network of receptors and neurotransmissions that balance, regulate, and manage a wide variety of biological processes. Everything from mood to memory to sensory perception is impacted by this subtle system. As it turns out, the largest organ in our body, the skin, is also supported by the very same system.
The skin makes endocannabinoids, which are our body's own natural cannabinoids. These include anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), but many others exist.
The skin also has endocannabinoid receptors, both CB1 and CB2, just like the rest of our body. These active receptors exist in a huge variety of skin cells, from hair follicles and sweat gland cells to sebocytes and beyond. They work as the "receiving end" of cannabinoids.
CBD is what you call a phytocannabinoid, a compound derived from plants like hemp and marijuana. Miraculously, these constituents fit effortlessly into your internal ECS to help promote balance and improve system regulation in instances of endocannabinoid deficiency. While many know this to be true for ingested CBD, this powerful molecule can also interact with the receptors and neurotransmitters in your skin.
When CBD is applied topically, it never penetrates into the bloodstream. Yet, even if it only goes skin deep when applied topically, it affects the various mechanisms responsible for oil production to inflammation.
Potential Benefits of CBD for Skin
While research into CBD's topical benefits is still in its early stages, the results so far are promising. From scientific studies to our own clinical trials, there seems to be a growing consensus of support for CBD's rejuvenating power in skincare.
But it's important to note that much of the research is preliminary, often involving animal studies or small human studies. So far, we are all still waiting on the release of any large-scale, robust clinical trials. So, with that caveat out of the way, here are a few of the most exciting areas where researchers are exploring CBD for skin health.
Anti-inflammatory Properties
Studies have shown that CBD may reduce inflammation in a few key ways: blocking pro-inflammatory cytokines, encouraging the production of anti-inflammatory ones, and limiting immune cells from rushing to inflamed areas.
One of these elements is CBD's ability to lower key inflammatory markers such as TNF-α and IL-6. These exciting acronyms are associated with inflammatory skin conditions and even those that go deeper, like arthritis.
According to animal studies of CBD for arthritic inflammatory conditions, the symptoms can occur when joints are inflamed and low in oxygen, which stresses immune cells and fibroblasts. CBD seems to "delete" these overactive, pro-inflammatory cells, helping to calm inflammation.
Also, in many inflammatory conditions, the energy factories of cells called mitochondria don't work properly. CBD may target these mitochondria to reduce inflammation and improve cell function.
Antioxidant Effects
Many of today's top skincare products rely on antioxidants like resveratrol, retinol, and vitamins C and E —and now CBD is joining the list. Research shows CBD is a potent antioxidant, with one study even finding it outperformed vitamin C in reducing oxidative stress in skin cells, suggesting it may help protect against free radical damage that accelerates aging.
There is also a signal from a 2022 scientific investigation that phytocannabinoids, including CBD, could support collagen restoration, improve skin elasticity, and boost the body's natural hyaluronic acid production. All of these qualities promise more youthful, glowing skin.
While these findings are based on preliminary research in Petri dishes, the evidence does undeniably point to CBD's exciting potential as a multi-faceted anti-aging ingredient. More advanced clinical studies are needed, but CBD's role in skincare is definitely worth keeping an eye on.
Hydration and Moisture
A crucial element in all things skincare is hydration. Once again, CBD has shown potential for improving dry skin without disrupting the natural barrier. One animal study discovered that regular application of a CBD serum helped increase dermal water content. The authors reported that this early-stage research "revealed that CBD has a moisturizing effect on the skin."
Broadly speaking, cannabinoids have also been found to effectively treat dry skin conditions, whether it means improving skin texture, reducing redness, or decreasing flakiness. It seems to work by upregulating something called AQP3. AQP3 is a key protein involved in skin hydration that can restore moisture balance in compromised skin. In this area of study, there have been several interesting human trials looking at CBD for everything from eczema to psoriasis to other skin conditions.
Acne Treatment
Does CBD also work for acne issues? This is actually one of the most studied areas of topical CBD research. There is evidence that CBD helps control oil production by inhibiting excessive lipid production in sebaceous glands. Researchers believe it interacts with CB1 and CB2 receptors to maintain a better oil-production balance. Cannabidiol can normalize both the quantity and quality of oil production, reducing the factors that contribute to certain types of acne breakouts.
In addition to sebum control, CBD has antimicrobial effects. This is important because bacteria can cause acne. Research suggests that CBD disrupts bacterial membranes, reducing their effectiveness and potentially reducing their acne-causing ways.
The Different Types of CBD Skincare Products
The skincare world is a $115 billion industry filled with an unfathomable number of products, formulations, and approaches. So, seeing at least some of this diversity expressed in the CBD skincare niche shouldn't be surprising.
From night creams to soothing balms to face masks, if you can dream it up, chances are someone has infused it with CBD. How do you wade through the tsunami of choice to find a CBD topical that works in your own life?
Here are a few guiding questions to point you in the right direction:
What is your primary concern?
From acne to dryness and the signs of aging, you'll want to nail down your top concerns to refine your search. Just like the rest of the products in the skincare aisle, most CBD products are designed around a specific goal.
What else is listed on the label?
Read the label before you buy. Not only will it help you steer clear of specific allergens you may want to avoid, but you'll also find the batch number, certificate of analysis, and other safety standards listed.
And keep in mind that almost all CBD creams, oils, and moisturizers use a synergistic blend of ingredients beyond CBD, whether just the carrier oil or a list of other beneficial botanicals. Do a bit of digging into the other active ingredients to see what else the product offers.
What's your current skincare routine?
Consider how a new CBD-infused product will fit within your current daily routine. Many CBD topicals are oil-based, which means they are often best suited for a deep-hydrating step at night, after cleansing and skin treatments. In fact, this is one of the reasons behind our Night Magic formula. After a cleanse and other treatments you may use, it’s the final step to lock in those efforts with a final natural and nourishing protective barrier.
How To Use CBD for Skin
Your order is en route for Prima's Beyond Body Oil and The Afterglow. Now what? Like all new skincare products, you'll want to introduce these into your routine with care.
Step 1: Patch Test
Your skin is highly sensitive, especially your face. With any new skincare, perform a small patch test on the underside of your wrist. With a test, you can see if any irritation occurs.
Step 2: Apply a Small Amount
Gently massage a small amount of CBD cream or facial oil into the face and neck as the last step of your skincare routine. Space out your next application as you allow your skin to acclimatize to the new ingredients.
Step 3: Slow Introduction
Gradually, as your skin adapts, begin to use daily to see the best results. The real benefits may not appear on day one. It can take several applications for the results to build and become apparent.
As a reminder, if you notice any irritation after use, discontinue immediately. While CBD has a very good safety profile, and our own trials have demonstrated little to no risk for irritation, our formulations contain several synergistic ingredients, and every body is different.
Scientific Research and Future Directions
In all realms of skincare, there is often a lot of marketing hype around new products, and often, the claims you find in the glossy advertisement aren't necessarily backed by clinical trials.
While the emerging studies suggest CBD has serious potential for hydration, skin barrier support, and anti-inflammatory effects — it's safe to say we are still in the early days.
We need a lot more research into cannabinoids, like CBD, to better understand how formulation, long-term use, and concentration play a role in the outcomes. So, while we'd love to claim CBD can help with skin conditions, reverse signs of aging, and eliminate acne — these are not yet 100% indisputable facts.
As we patiently wait for more robust clinical studies, we've also conducted our own independent clinical study to explore our formula's potential.
For example, the study into our Magic Night Face Oil found that after eight weeks of use, participants experienced a 33% improvement in skin hydration and a 16% boost in firmness. Of the 30 women who took part, 90% reported visibly smoother texture and healthier-looking skin, and 86% noticed a reduction in fine lines and wrinkles around their eyes.
We'll use these results, as well as the results from other skincare research, to drive our mission for science-baked, cannabidiol-infused skincare.
Prima, Trusted for Natural Skincare, Infused with CBD
Cannabinoids hold so much potential for skin science. Given what we can see so far from the preliminary work, we are no doubt sitting at the end of a major scientific breakthrough.
Until the science catches up to the excitement around this hemp-derived ingredient, we've taken it upon ourselves to set better standards for CBD in skincare. That means 100% clean ingredients, a multi-step testing and validation process, and 3rd party clinical testing on real-live participants. You can also check all the results out for yourself. Our clinical results are public.
Ready to care for your skin, mind, and body? A less stressed you awaits.
Disclaimer
The information provided in this content is for general knowledge and educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition. Individual results may vary. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before using CBD or any hemp-derived products, especially if you have underlying health conditions, are pregnant or nursing, or are taking prescription medications.
