Skin problems are a common concern among the general population, and they can affect a person’s confidence levels in daily life, as well as causing pain and discomfort. One such issue is acne, which causes spots and oily skin and is sometimes very painful. We explore whether CBD could be helpful when it comes to treating acne.
What is acne?
Acne is a very common skin condition that is likely to affect almost everyone at some point. It usually develops on the face, back and chest, causing oily skin and spot breakouts. It is linked to the hormone changes that occur during puberty, but it can develop at any age.
Certain hormones cause the glands in your skin to produce an excessive amount of oil. This can then change the behaviour of your skin bacteria, meaning it becomes more aggressive. In turn, this leads to the outbreaks of spots that are common with acne.
It is most common with girls aged 14-17 and boys aged 16-19 but in some cases it can continue well into adult life. Acne can cause real issues with self confidence, and can be painful in more severe cases, which is why it is important to find a treatment that works to calm the skin and reduce the appearance of angry spots.
In terms of treating acne, there are a number of prescription medicines that people use, but many people also prefer to try out natural remedies to see if they can help.
Could CBD help with acne?
CBD oil has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, which is why it is believed to be a useful skincare ingredient. Since acne has been established as an inflammatory skin disorder, many therefore believe that CBD could be useful for treating or reducing the symptoms of acne.
The excessive production of sebum (causing oily skin) is one of the symptoms of acne. It is also thought that CBD could help to regulate sebum production, and A 2014 study concluded that ‘due to the combined lipostatic, antiproliferative, and anti-inflammatory effects, CBD has potential as a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of acne vulgaris.’
The research is promising, though still in its early stages, and we are excited for more studies to be concentrated on CBD for acne so we can learn more about its potential.
How should you use CBD for acne?
The studies which have looked at CBD for acne have used topical application of the substance, so this may be the best way to use it for acne.
You can apply some drops of CBD directly to the skin or mix CBD oil with a carrier oil such as coconut oil and apply it that way.
There are also some topical CBD products which have been created specifically for application to the skin and may have some additional ingredients that are intended to calm and soothe the skin. A CBD lotion or cream, for example, can be a good option for acne as it has been formulated for skin. Our Swiss Original CBD balm is a calming formula designed to soothe, relax, repair and nourish the skin.
You could also try taking CBD oil drops orally, as CBD’s anti-inflammatory effects on the body as a whole could have an impact on your skin.
Our advice generally is to try and find a solution that works for you! This may take a bit of trial and error, but based on the positive reports we’ve seen about CBD for acne, it’s worth giving it a go.
To get started, you are welcome to view the products available in our shop.
