How to Choose the Right CBD Skincare Product
When I first started dating my wife, I remember her always saying “beauty is pain.” I didn’t understand, until I saw her doing things that seemed painful in the name of beauty, like waxing anywhere or having a layer of skin basically burned off your face by Retinol. Though I didn’t understand it to that extent, I get it. We all want to look our best, both men and women.
Full disclosure, I have been using skincare products for 20 years. I have used various skincare ever since high school. I’ve used skincare products ranging from the bottom of the barrel inexpensive brands, all the way up to top network marketing company products, and everything in between.
Over the last year, I have heard all about CBD oil, not marijuana or actual CBD oil tinctures, but CBD infused into skincare products. I have noticed it competing with the likes of hyaluronic acid and probiotics in skincare as far as new innovations go.
What is CBD Skincare?
Cannabidiol (known as CBD) is the non-intoxicating part of the cannabis plant. This is vastly different from THC. THC is what contributes to the feeling of being “high”. CBD, on the other hand, is linked to having incredible anti-inflammatory properties, and helping create an overall state of relaxation.
It’s important to clarify as well that CBD oil is different from hemp seed oil. CBD oil is abundant in hemp, but not in the seeds, and thus the same beneficial compounds are not present in hemp seed oil. Read the packaging closely!
How to Choose the Right Skincare Product
The science behind the benefits of CBD oil for use topically is obviously going to give birth to a swath of CBD infused skincare flooding the market. An empowered informed consumer will save money and potentially negative reactions by doing a little research.
Read the Ingredient Deck
The first thing I would encourage you to do is to read the ingredient deck. That is by far the most important. Find out what chemicals or additives are in the product. It makes no sense to put a product on your skin every day to look younger if the added ingredients contain harsh and harmful chemicals.
There aren’t many, but some skincare companies are 100% toxin-free, like this one called Pure Haven that created a list of common ingredients added in skincare and household products along with the science sharing the concerns of those ingredients. As of this writing, they do not have a CBD skincare product but we hope they will! This list may shock you to find that even products listed as “all-natural or organic” will typically still contain harmful ingredients.
CBD Quantity
Another factor when choosing CBD infused skincare is the quantity of CBD added. If a label simply lists CBD in the ingredient deck with no measurement listed, you are dealing with an unknown amount. Meaning, the manufacturer could have added a negligible amount in order to brand it CBD and prey on uninformed customers.
So always ensure to check the label of the product you are purchasing for how many milligrams of CBD it has, and then check the associated lab test which should be either on the products webpage or on the QR code of the product packaging if you’ve already purchased it.
Additional Ingredients
A third factor to consider is the additional added soothing ingredients. What are you looking for your skincare to do? Do you want to tighten your skin, moisturize your skin, soothe dry cracked spots? What is the goal of this product?
This will gauge the type of product you want. If you are looking to soothe and hydrate your skin a serum-like Made by Hemp’s CBD Face Serum would be a great option.
It contains 100mg CBD and in addition, it also contains rose flower which is regarded in the skincare world to help maintain balance, cleanse, tone, calm and soothe skin. It also smells wonderful.
Bluebird Botanicals Hemp Silk, on the other hand, is a luxurious way to soften and rejuvenate your hands and non-facial skin by combining 1250 mg CBD with moisturizing coconut oil, jojoba, and rosemary oil. This would be a better option if you are looking for skin support which is not on your face.
Shop Bluebird Botanicals Hemp Silk >
Benefits of CBD Oil for Skin
According to Shape.com, “Inflammation can negatively affect your health and even accelerate your skin’s aging. When the skin is involved, inflammation can accelerate fine lines, wrinkles and enlarged pores, as well as puffiness, sagging, blotchiness or reddening of the skin.”
That’s where CBD oil steps in. Not only is it naturally found, but it’s high in antioxidants, which aid in reducing inflammation. This supports the diminishing of signs of aging through diminishing wrinkles. It’s important to note that CBD is not the only antioxidant that one can use. Using CBD in conjunction with other skin-nourishing treatments may increase the benefits as well.
The properties of CBD oil are beginning to reveal soothing properties too. For example, the skin calming and normalizing effects of CBD may reduce effects related to skin sensitivity such as redness. With the enthusiasm surrounding what CBD oil does internally, it makes sense that it would have external benefits too, especially since our skin is very porous. Our skin also contains its own endocannabinoid system and thus can work topically without ever getting into our bloodstream.
Best CBD Skincare Products to Try
The CBD industry has grown by leaps and bounds. We are only beginning to explore the potential of what CBD may do for signs of aging, skin tone, and redness reduction. Outside of the products mentioned above, I really like Bluebird Botanicals Sport Lotion:
Shop Bluebird Botanicals Hemp Sport >
For starters, 1250 mg of CBD is phenomenal for a 6oz lotion. Not only is it creamy and rubs into the skin well, you’re getting cannabinoids, terpenes, and other phytonutrients to support healthy skin. In addition, arnica & cornmint provides a pleasant cooling sensation for quick relief. After working out, having the cooling effect penetrate the skin and get to the muscles feels incredible.
If you tend to have dry skin and rarely break out with acne, a thick powerhouse is Made by Hemp’s body moisturizer with 250 mg CBD Lotion.
The reason I would suggest using this for dry skin is that it has some depth to it. In addition to the 250 mg of CBD, it’s blending mango butter and apricot kernel oil. Mango butter is rich in oleic acid (omega-9 fatty acid). It is great for dry or chapped skin and helps the skin restore its natural moisture. Mango butter is rich in vitamin C, which can help plump the skin.
It is also rich in vitamin A, which helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Apricot kernel oil contains essential omega fatty acids that restore our skin’s natural oils. It is great for all skin types. This oil is also rich in vitamin K, vitamin E, and vitamin A. It is absorbed quickly and leaves the skin feeling soft.
Where to Start
Either way, a great start is to consider what your budget is. If your budget is low and you can only afford one product, get a moisturizer. As your budget allows, add a cleanser product free of harsh chemicals, this will help you start from a clean slate before adding moisturizer. Last as budget allows, add a toner. Toner products are best to use after a cleanser, and help to detox and purify your skin before adding a moisturizer.
Final Thoughts
Keep in mind that great skin is a journey. We are all going to age. Sure, botox or plastic surgery is always an option; but does anyone really want to slice up their face and inject it with needles when there is an affordable scientifically proven solution at our fingertips? In skincare, remember that slow and steady wins the race, and always talk with your dermatologist before adding any new skincare to your routine.