CBD effect: How does CBD Oil work on the skin?

CBD is a real miracle cure for pain, inflammation and stress. But do you also know how the positive effects of cannabidiol (CBD) unfold their best effectiveness on the skin? Find out everything about the CBD effect on the skin in this article.

CBD effects and benefits

People have used the hemp plant for centuries. On the one hand, ropes or clothing are made from the fibres of the plant. On the other hand, hemp has been a popular medicinal plant for a long time. This is mainly due to the two components tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).

Cannabidiol, better known as CBD, is one of hundreds of cannabinoids of the hemp plant. The valuable active ingredient is extracted from the flowers of the plant and has a variety of health-promoting properties. Products containing CBD are exempt from narcotics regulations if the THC content present in the products does not exceed a limit of 0.2%.

Cannabis in medicine

CBD has anticonvulsant, anti-anxiety and anti-inflammatory effects. For example, therapeutic cannabis extracts are used in the treatment of moderate to severe, therapy-resistant spasticity in multiple sclerosis (MS). MS patients benefit from the antispasmodic effect of CBD. In addition, medical cannabis can be helpful in the therapy of chronic pain, epilepsy or convulsions caused by complete paralysis of both legs (paraplegia). Furthermore, medical cannabis is used against nausea and vomiting after chemotherapy or to increase appetite in HIV/AIDS.

The active ingredients of the hemp plant are already being used successfully for the diseases just mentioned. However, there are other areas of application in which the medical efficacy has not yet been fully proven, because the amount of scientific evidence in these areas is still relatively limited. Medical cannabis has however also been shown to be helpful in the following cases:

Anxiety disorders
Sleep disorders
Migraine
Tourette’s syndrome
ADHD

How does CBD work on the skin?

There are many well-known CBD products that are applied to the skin. Think of CBD cream or CBD oil, for example. To understand why the caring and pain-relieving effect also works through the skin, you should understand the importance of your skin for the body.

Our skin

The skin is the largest organ in our body and forms a protective shield to the outside. Our skin protects us from environmental influences and thus prevents our organism from drying out. It also fends off harmful influences such as pathogens, chemicals and solar radiation. The outer layer of skin is saturated with fat-like substances, so that our body is protected against excessive water loss. At the same time, short-term changes in the appearance of the skin can indicate physical or psychological illnesses. If you notice skin changes such as rashes or redness, you should see a dermatologist as soon as possible and have the changes clarified.

You probably use creams or oils to care for your skin regularly. But how exactly do they work on the skin? Simple skin creams work in the top layer of the skin, the epidermis. Most creams mainly ensure that the top layer of the skin is supplied with moisture. The effect here is rather short-term and only lasts until the product is broken down again or washed off. Nevertheless, some ingredients of creams can also be detected in the blood.

Whether substances can penetrate the organism depends, for example, on the size of the particles. The carrier substance also plays a decisive role. Since the skin is oily, fat-soluble particles can penetrate better than water-soluble substances. Cannabidiol is well soluble in fats so that the valuable active ingredient can be well integrated into creams or oils on the one hand and is also well absorbed by the skin on the other hand. Once the substances have penetrated our body, they dock onto the corresponding receptors and can then unfold their effect. The endocannabinoid system is responsible for the fact that the effects are immediately noticeable after the absorption of CBD.

The body’s endocannabinoid system

The so-called endocannabinoid system (ECS) is located in the skin cells. This system regulates functions in the central nervous system and is involved in communication between cells, among other functions. The cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 play an important role in this system. Various endocannabinoids, i.e., the body’s own cannabinoids, dock onto the receptors and trigger certain reactions. Influenced are, for example:

Our mood
Our sensation of pain
Our appetite
Our ability to concentrate
Our stress levels

It can happen that the effect of the body’s own cannabinoids is not sufficient to fulfil the multitude of tasks of the ESC. In this case, exogenous cannabinoids, for example in the form of CBD products, can be added. According to current research, the cannabis plant contains more than 100 different cannabinoids. Probably the best known of these is cannabidiol, i.e., CBD. This is sold in the form of creams, oils or foodstuffs, among other things.

CBD as pain therapy and for skin diseases

CBD interacts with the ECS and other receptors that are responsible for pain regulation and inflammation. When CBD oils or creams are applied to the skin, the receptors activate the endocannabinoid system. The CBD can dock directly to the receptors and unfold its anti-inflammatory effect there. Due to this mode of action, externally applied cannabidiol is a helpful treatment for some skin diseases.

However, it is not only the ESC that is responsible for the beneficial effects of cannabinoids. There are also interactions with so-called non-cannabinoid receptors. One example is the pain receptor TRPV1 (Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid Type 1). It is assumed that it influences inflammation, temperature and pain perception.

CBD in skin care products

Our skin is exposed to external influences every day. Therefore, we should support it in the best possible way so that it can regenerate sufficiently. CBD can support our skin with its soothing and anti-inflammatory effect. Cannabidiol can relieve all skin types during regeneration. For example, it can reduce redness and irritation in sensitive skin.

There is growing evidence that topical CBD formulations, i.e., externally applied CBD products, are effective in promoting skin health. For example, the cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 can help promote healthy skin renewal and the skin’s natural barrier function. German scientists have found that an imbalance in the ECS can promote various skin diseases and problems, which can lead to pain, acne or itching, among other things.

Also in acne, the calming effects of CBD can help to reduce sebum production. Another problem with acne is the inflammation of the sebaceous glands. This can be reduced by the anti-inflammatory effect of CBD and thus improve the skin’s appearance. Scientists agree, however, that further studies are necessary to make reliable statements about whether CBD is a possible therapy method for acne-prone skin. If you are considering using CBD products for acne, it is best to discuss this step with a dermatologist first.

CBD oil for external use

CBD products applied to the skin can help treat many skin conditions. CBD oil is also believed to have analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. Think also of the nurturing effect of cannabidiol. CBD oil is suitable for all skin types and provides our largest organ with sufficient moisture.

As a woman, you can also benefit from the pain-relieving and warming effect of cannabidiol during your cycle. During your period, for example, a relaxing massage with LAIA’S menstrual body oil will help you. Do you want to enjoy the relaxing and warming effects of our oil? Find out more about our soothing body oil here.