You might be interested in learning how to use CBD for acne, and you’re not alone. Up to 50 million Americans suffer from acne, making it the most common skin condition in the country. Instead of relying on chemical-based solutions, you might be interested in something that has a higher prevalence of natural ingredients.
As a byproduct of cannabis which can be used for assisting many medical concerns, CBD could be the Holy Grail product you’ve been searching for to help you with your problematic skin.
How Does Acne Occur?
The first step to understanding how CBD could help with your acne is to understand what causes it. In all honesty, there are a variety of issues that can cause acne, ranging from hormones to an overproduction of an oil known as sebum. As a waxy and oily substance produced by the skin, sebum can be responsible for clogging your pores and trapping dirt, which turns into acne.
Although it might seem detrimental, sebum is actually essential for protecting our skin. Its natural properties act as a barrier between your delicate skin and the outside world as well as its pollutants. The majority of problems occur when the sebum attracts and mixes with dirt and dead skin cells, trapping them in your pores.
How Does CBD Oil Treat Acne?
Using CBD oil to help with your acne is more than a fad, as there are studies that suggest it’s a fantastic ingredient to use to combat problematic skin.
1. Anti-Inflammation and Sebum Reduction
A study in 2014 found that CBD oil positively reacted with human sebocytes, which are the cells responsible for creating sebum. As they reacted, CBD worked to prevent an overproduction of sebum.
In the same study, they found that an anti-inflammatory reaction was triggered in skin cells which helped prevent cytokines from being activated. As another component of the body responsible for causing acne, dormant cytokines reduce the likelihood of breakouts.
With the help of the anti-inflammatory properties of CBD oil, you can potentially reduce the prevalence of raised bumps and pimples.
2. Cleansing and Clarifying
One of the first things you’re told when it comes to preventing acne is to make sure your face is thoroughly cleansed daily, sometimes twice per day. Based on a 2016 review of cannabis, researchers found that CBD has potential antibacterial and antifungal benefits. By reducing and/or eliminating the bacteria in your pores, your face is far less likely to breakout.
This also leads to the point that using cannabis-based acne treatments can help to reduce infections on the skin, which lead to the production of pimples. Similar to your traditional cleanser, CBD products are likely to remove products and pollutants from the skin without harsh chemicals.
3. Reducing Skin Sensitivity
Another point to add in terms of the anti-inflammatory properties of CBD is that it could help with treating skin sensitivity. Many individuals are unable to use conventional acne treatments due to the likelihood of redness and/or skin inflammation.
As CBD is a naturally derived byproduct of cannabis (a naturally occurring plant), it’s likely you won’t experience extreme skin sensitivity from natural skincare products. With that said, it’s still recommended you do an allergy patch test prior to using any treatment or consult a doctor before using CBD-based skincare products.
Recommended CBD Skincare Items
At this point, you’re likely wondering how you can get your hands on CBD-based skincare products to assist with your acne. There are a wide variety of products on the market, each with their own list of ingredients and potency. The most recommended products to consider include:
1. Carrier Oil Serums
Instead of investing in a store-bought CBD treatment, you can make your own at home. With this method, you’ll have full control over the amount of CBD in the solution and with trial and error, you can find the appropriate dosage for your skin concerns. Making your own carrier oil serum is simple with these steps:
- Combine your CBD oil with a carrier oil of your choosing. We highly recommend shea butter or coconut oil for the skin.
- Once combined, apply a thin layer of the cream to your skin after cleansing. Depending on the heaviness of the oil, it could be better to use this at night so it can thoroughly absorb into the skin.
2. Spot Treatments
If you’ve been dealing with acne over the years, you’re not a stranger to spot treatments. These products are designed to target and eliminate specific spots to reduce their prevalence faster than with a regular cleansing regimen. It’s very easy to find CBD spot treatments and they are likely the most effective option.
You’ll find that most spot treatments contain a higher concentration of CBD, as it is a targeted treatment rather than something you apply to your entire face. You’re likely to experience a reduction in redness and inflammation within a day.
3. Facemasks
As a luxurious way to treat your acne, it should be relatively simple to find CBD-based facemasks as well. If you’re someone who prefers more natural ingredients, you could always consider making your own at home by using honey, a carrier oil, and CBD oil. Compared to over-the-counter acne facemasks, CBD variations are to be left on for longer periods.
An Important Tip:
When it comes to choosing skincare, even if it contains natural ingredients, you will still need to take your skin type into account. Although CBD oil is likely safe for most skin types, the other ingredients in formulas may not be. For example, if you’re allergic to essential oils, you won’t want to choose an overnight cream with lavender essential oil in it.
It’s also important that you look at the concentration of CBD oil in the products you are choosing. As it is a relatively unregulated industry, some products may advertise higher concentrations of CBD than what is actually offered. This is why making your own products may be a preferable alternative to store-bought brands.
How to Use CBD for Acne: Final Thoughts
There are numerous ways for you to learn how to use CBD for acne. Based on the two studies mentioned above, there is some evidence that suggests the byproduct is useful for reducing sebum production and managing inflammation. With the right products, you may find a more natural solution to your skin concerns.
