CBD and Beauty
CBD has shown to be beneficial in many applications, even when applied topically, and that has led many to develop products in the beauty space. According to Grand View Research, the global CBD cosmetics market is estimated to be valued at over $580 million with expectations to hit as high as $1.7 billion by 2025.
CBD is one of the two major cannabinoid compounds found in the Cannabis family of plants. The other major cannabinoid is Delta 9 THC - the compound that laws are written about. Remember: all Cannabis plants have THC, CBD, minor cannabinoids and terpenes in them. What makes them either “hemp” or “marijuana” (subgroups of Cannabis) is which major cannabinoid (THC or CBD) is the one that is most prominent.
According to the USDA farm bill (2018), any cannabis plant that contains more than .3% Delta-9 (D9) THC is “Marijuana” or in the non-hemp / high-THC category. If you’re confused on the difference between hemp or marijuana, you can thank the laws of each state that separate the plant into these subgroups.
As farmers, we use seed genetics to grow the crop as high CBD cannabis (“hemp”) or high THC Cannabis (“Marijuana”) depending on what is allowed in their state.
Texas is a hemp state so our plant is High CBD Cannabis ("hemp").
Cannabinoid compounds match up with receptors in our body’s Endocannabinoid system. Discovered in 1990, this system is found in mammals and it is said to be a neuro-modulatory system that encourages balance. Much like a conductor leading a full orchestra and sending signals to who can play and when.
CBD is a non-psychotropic compound and it has many benefits of its own. When ingested, it binds predominantly to the CB2 receptors of the endocannabinoid system whereas THC binds predominantly to CB1 receptors. There are CB1 and CB2 receptors throughout the skin and scalp therefore providing ways for the compounds to be helpful topically.
Remember that the plant must grow and flower for CBD or THC cannabinoids to be found. This is not the same as Hemp Seed Oil which is made by pressing the seeds of the hemp plant. While hemp seed oil has a near-perfect Omega 6 and 3 balance, as well as being super hydrating, the plant must grow to make the cannabinoids like CBD.
Once the cannabis has grown to flower, the plants are harvested and dried and those flowers can be smoked or they can go through various extraction processes which get the cannabinoid compounds out of them.
At Power Biopharms, we use a solventless extraction system meaning our flower compounds are taken from the plant using just heat and pressure. The flowers are pressed until the interior compounds come out like a syrup and that is the base of products everywhere.
We choose to use solventless extraction for the most true-to-plant result.
How does CBD work with beauty?
When you think on the anti-inflammatory properties of CBD, you can understand the potential applications in skin or hair care.
Recent research has indicated the critical role of the Endocannabinoid system in maintaining skin homeostasis and barrier function. It is also said that the system’s dysregulation has been implicated in various skin disorders like atopic dermatitis, itch, acne, hair growth/loss, and hyper/hypopigmentation.
Both CB1 and CB2 receptors are not just throughout the ECS in the brain and spine, but are also found in epidermal keratinocytes, cutaneous nerve fibers, dermal cells, melanocytes, eccrine sweat glands and hair follicles. While cannabinoid receptors remain the primary targets for endocannabinoids, they have also been shown to “bind to Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) receptors present in various types of skin cells and are involved in different functions like formation and maintenance of the skin barrier, cell growth, cell differentiation, immunological and inflammatory processes” (1).
"Cannabidiol offers some serious antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits which can be beneficial in treating skin concerns like inflammation, dryness and free radical damage," Ildi Pekar, NYC-based aesthetician and founder of her own eponymous skincare line, told Forbes recently.
When it comes to acne, eczema or psoriasis, CBD shows a lot of promise. One small study looked at CBD’s effects on 20 people with the skin conditions psoriasis or eczema, as well as the scars they may leave. Participants used a CBD-enriched skin ointment twice daily for 3 months. Those being studied are said to have showed improvements like reduced inflammation and no allergies were reported.
Utilizing CBD in skin care, facial services or scalp services has shown to be helpful in areas of hair loss. Considering that one of the ways to damage follicles is chronic inflammation, calming said inflammation can be just what is needed. Consider a scalp mask after a clarifier to calm any angry skin since CBD is both antioxidant rich (30 - 50% more powerful than Vitamin C) and anti-inflammatory (2).
In a 24 week, randomized, double-blind study, scalp applications of antioxidants “improved scalp condition and reduced hair shedding” (1).
This is all great news but Cannabis is still not federally watched over so, like all wellness goods, you have to keep a watchful eye for scammers.
Ways to check to see if your new CBD beauty product is legit include:
- Check the ingredients label for CBD, Cannabis Sativa Extract or Cannabidiol. Hemp Seed Oil and Hemp Seed Extract are not CBD.
- Look at how many milligrams are in the product and if they are showing that. Not everyone is labeling their products completely or with this important info.
- Products like CBD infused clothes, sheets or eyeshadow are typically scams. The best delivery methods and uses are directly to skin or hair in care and treatment products.
- Check the website for their third-party testing results as all Canna products need these.
As always, stay informed!
Get to know more about what CBD can do by reading more of our blogs and be sure to follow us on Instagram for the latest news and info!
References:
- Davis MG, Piliang MP, Bergfeld WF, Caterino TL, Fisher BK, Sacha JP, Carr GJ, Moulton LT, Whittenbarger DJ, Schwartz JR. Scalp application of antioxidants improves scalp condition and reduces hair shedding in a 24-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2021 Nov;43 Suppl 1:S14-S25. doi: 10.1111/ics.12734. PMID: 34424558
- Atalay S, Jarocka-Karpowicz I, Skrzydlewska E. Antioxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Cannabidiol. Antioxidants (Basel). 2019;9(1):21. Published 2019 Dec 25. doi:10.3390/antiox9010021