CBD for Acne: Can CBD Oil Treat Acne?

Acne is the most common skin condition in the US, affecting over 50 million people every year. And cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the leading and most talked about health and wellness products in the US. Unsurprisingly, it’s also starting to influence the skincare industry. Hence, people can’t help but wonder can CBD oil treat acne or not?

Join us in this article as we explore the answer to this question and learn more about CBD.

What is CBD?

CBD, short for cannabidiol, is just one of the more than 300 non-cannabinoid chemicals and the 80 to 100 cannabinoids found in the cannabis plants. CBD is known for its many health benefits. It is believed to relieve the symptoms of several health conditions like cancer, diabetes, heart diseases, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, ADHD, autism, depression, anxiety, skin diseases, sleep disorders, and a lot more.

As you read this article, more research is being done to support the potential health benefits of CBD. Although as of today, the FDA still doesn’t recognize these benefits by CBD (except for two rare forms of epilepsy) and they do not allow the explicit selling of CBD as a treatment for any health condition.

To date, Epidiolex is the only CBD-based medication approved by the US Food and Drugs Administration. Epidiolex is a cannabidiol oral solution used for the treatment of seizures associated with two rare and severe forms of epilepsy – Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome.

Can CBD Oil Treat Acne?

CBD oil may help prevent acne breakouts and there are pieces of evidence that suggest that it can be helpful for acne. CBD is known to have an anti-inflammatory effect. This means that cannabidiol can soothe the skin, especially of acne-prone individuals. With this effect, CBD can help diminish acne breakouts and reduce redness.

Moreover, it was also found out that CBD can reduce the skin’s excessive sebum (oil) production, which we all know can trigger acne formation. Hence, individuals with oily skin can benefit from CBD oil. So far, we can say that CBD oil can influence our skin health in two ways: by reducing inflammation and by regulating the production of sebum (oil).

How to Use CBD Oil and is it Legal?

If you are interested in trying out CBD oil for acne, you might be curious as to what’s the best way to use it to treat acne and/or prevent acne breakouts. Moreover, you might also be concerned about whether it’s safe and legal to use CBD.

The good news is that CBD is a safe product and it is legal across 50 US states. Although CBD is a compound from cannabis, it doesn’t give you a “high,” like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). With this being said, you should ensure that if your CBD oil has THC it should be less than 0.3% to be on the safe side as far as legality is concerned. If you are unsure about the status of products containing THC in your state, then, it would be better to stay away from it.

How to Use CBD Oil for Acne?

To treat acne with CBD oil, you can simply mix it with a carrier oil like coconut oil, olive oil, jojoba, hemp seed, or argan oil, and apply directly to the affected area. Be sure to use a carrier oil that works well with your skin. If you haven’t tried any carrier oil before, you can test it out by using a small portion of your skin to check if you will have untoward reactions to it.

It is important to mix CBD oil with a carrier oil since it is too potent on its own. CBD oil alone contains highly concentrated plant extracts that can be overwhelming to the skin, thereby increasing the likelihood of skin irritation. So, mixing it with carrier oil would somehow tame the effect of its concentrated substances. Moreover, the carrier oils also have their skin-benefiting properties, so they could work perfectly with CBD.

There are also other oral CBD oil products that you can try to treat acne, and it should also work since the anti-inflammatory compounds found in cannabidiol are still active even if taken orally. However, based on studies, topical application of CBD oil is the best way to treat acne.

Other Skin Care Tips

There are different factors to consider in treating acne. Some people are genetically predisposed to acne, while some develop acne due to stress, lack of sleep, and unhealthy eating habits. And while acne commonly appears during puberty, some individuals still battle with it even into adulthood.

Whether CBD is good for you or not, there are other options that you can try at home to prevent acne and heal breakouts.

• Keep your face clean, but don’t over-wash it (do it only once or twice a day).
• Don’t rub your face with a cloth, loofah, or an exfoliating glove. Instead, simply use your hands to wash your face and pat it dry with a soft cloth.
• Don’t sleep with your makeup on.
• Stay hydrated, especially if you exercise a lot, if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or if you are in a hot, humid environment.
• Avoid touching your face now and then. Practice handwashing.
• Use an oil-free moisturizer, and don’t forget to apply sunscreen.
• Wash your pillowcase regularly.
• Watch out with your hair. Products that you use to style your hair can go into your face. As such, avoid waxy and oily products. Wash your hair regularly, especially if you have oily hair.
• Talk to a dermatologist if your current skincare and acne regimen is not working.