CBD is a very controversial topic. Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a chemical compound found in hemp, which is why many are very skeptical of this product. However, it offers a large number of potential health benefits.
There is evidence thatCBD oil may be beneficial for acne and other skin problems. CBD can be applied topically to the rashes themselves, as well as taken orally for long-term prevention.
In this article, we’ll walk you through what CBD really is, what its potential health benefits are when it comes to acne, and what side effects it can cause. In addition, we will tell you what acne is and how you can treat it without resorting to medication.
The most important facts at a glance
- Acne is a skin disease and 80-90% of teens develop it during puberty. This disease is caused by inflammation of the skin glands or hair follicles.
- CBD inhibits the production of sebum while having anti-inflammatory effects on the fat-producing glands. Due to these effects, CBD may be a promising therapeutic agent in the treatment of acne.
- CBD has been found to be safe and has a good safety profile. However, a doctor should be consulted before using it during pregnancy or in combination with other medicines.
CBD for acne: what you need to know
About 85% of Germans suffer from acne at one time or another. Hardly any other disease affects as many people as acne. Unfortunately, therapy starts far too late and the consequences manifest in the form of scarring. CBD, on the other hand, is believed to relieve acne. What CBD is and why it helps fight acne, we want to answer you in the next few questions.
What is acne?
Acne is a skin disease and 80-90% of teens develop it during puberty. This disease is caused by inflammation of the skin glands or hair follicles. Usually, this skin disease causes pimples all over the body, but pustules, blackheads, and nodules are also part of the acne symptom repertoire.
Fortunately, the evolution is very slight in 60% of cases, 40% of those affected require medical treatment. In fact, boys are more likely than girls to be affected by this disease and boys are more likely to develop a severe form of acne.
There are several other forms of acne, the most well-known manifestation of acne being acne vulgaris. There is also, among others, acne inversa, the symptoms of which appear in the armpits as well as in the groin area. Another form is acne infantum, which occurs in newborns.
What are the causes of acne?
There are four main causes of acne. We will list them and then explain them in more detail.
- Surplus oil production
- Obstructed hair follicles
- Bacteria
- Excessive activity of a type of hormone (androgens)
- The trigger for this skin disease is the increased production of sex hormones. This is where androgens, which are nothing but male sex hormones, come in.
Androgens trigger a change in the skin, which stimulates the production of sebum. This sebum is believed to reach the surface of the skin through the duct of the sebaceous gland. In people with acne, the cells keratinize so that the pores close and, as a result, the sebum cannot flow out.
What are the symptoms of acne?
The more sebaceous glands an area of the body has, the higher the likelihood of having acne in one of those areas. These areas include the face, neck, chest, back, upper arms, and shoulders. We observe here an increase in symptomatic manifestations, which are very variable and are expressed as follows:
- Blackheads (open and blocked pores)
- Small red bumps
- Buttons
- Large, firm, painful nodules below the surface of the skin.
- Sore, pus-filled pimples under the skin.
Acne falls into three different types, which are classified according to the severity of the symptoms:
- Mild Acne: This mild form of the backrest is characterized by blackheads. They usually appear on the face, with the area around the nose being the most sensitive.
- Acne papulopustulosa: This form of acne can already cause acne scars to appear. Symptomatic manifestations of this form are pustules, nodules, pimples and papules. They mostly appear on the face, but the neck, back, or arms can also be affected.
- Acne conglobata: This form of acne is found mainly in men and is also the most serious form of this disease. Numerous, large and painful nodules form. Even after the disease subsides, deep and visible scars remain. Anyone suffering from this form of acne should definitely see a doctor.
Depending on the severity of the symptoms and the type of symptoms, therapy should be put in place to combat them.
What are the traditional therapies?
The market is flooded with products that are supposed to provide relief from… Most of the time, people try several products to get rid of bothersome symptoms.
Basically, the products can be divided into two categories. Always differentiate between external and internal use. While the external application usually involves applying creams, gels or ointments, the internal method involves taking medication.
What you should never do, however, is squeeze the buttons yourself. This will cause ugly acne scars to form on your face.
Conventional treatment with drugs
When you go to the doctor, treatment with antibiotics is usually prescribed. It is important to clarify the combination with the creams with your doctor during treatment, as the combination of the cream and antibiotics is not recommended for too long. Another option could be hormonal preparations, as acne is caused by hormonal changes.
Hormonal supplements take at least six months to work. The most effective medication for severe acne is the retinoid. Unfortunately, the active ingredient can cause very serious side effects.
Retinoids are not an option during pregnancy.
Creams, gels and lotions
Poor care overstimulates the skin more than it helps it to regenerate. Excessive or incorrect use of creams and beauty products has the effect of overloading the skin, which ultimately does not work against acne, but promotes it.
Oily creams are, like makeup or sunscreens, acne auxiliaries. Nevertheless, selected creams can counter acne. Depending on your symptoms, you can choose any of these products, the important thing being that your skin responds well to them and that you are not helping your acne any more than your skin.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, belongs to the group of cannabinoids. Cannabinoids are active ingredients that are mainly found in the cannabis or hemp plant.
Since the medical and therapeutic relevance of CBD is known, the manufacturers on the one hand, and the positive properties of cannabidiol proven after numerous studies on the other hand, are increasing. Cannabidiol as a substance is legal in France as well as in most other countries of the world.
How does CBD work?
CBD inhibits the production of sebum and at the same time has anti-inflammatory effects on the fat-producing glands. Due to these effects, CBD could be a promising therapeutic agent in the treatment of acne.
CBD acne therapy
Since the skin has many cannabinoid receptors, to which plant cannabinoids also attach and express their effects, CBD is considered a useful agent in combating acne.
CBD can be used as the remedy of choice for this skin disease.
As in conventional therapy, a distinction is made between internal and external measures. We would like to discuss these two measures.
Internal use: take CBD oil for acne.
CBD can be taken orally in the form of oil or capsules. In particular on our hormones, it shows a regulatory effect. This is especially beneficial in the case of acne, as acne is caused by the androgen hormone.
With CBD oil, you just have to take it drip. CBD is best absorbed through the lining of the mouth, which is why you should always run the drops under your tongue.
As already mentioned, CBD has a relaxing effect on your hormones and therefore on your skin. Additionally, CBD improves mood and serotonin levels, resulting in a beautiful complexion.
External use: CBD cream for acne
To treat acne externally with CBD, CBD creams, ointments and oils are used. A CBD cream is recommended. You can also apply CBD oil to the skin. It is best to apply it directly to the pimples. Basically, it can be said that CBD can regulate the production of sebum and therefore can be considered as an effective remedy for acne.
As with internal use, CBD has a very anti-inflammatory and soothing effect on the skin when used externally, so it can fight pimples and pustules very well or help prevent them.
The production of sebum is controlled by the so-called endocannabinoid system. Therefore, CBD is considered to be a great way to combat the symptoms of excess oil in acne. In short, CBD stimulates the CB2 receptors in the sebaceous gland. Anandamides then affect lipid synthesis and provide less sebum.
In principle, it is recommended to use the products 2-3 times a day. They have a soothing effect on the skin, free the pores and sebaceous glands and provide sufficient hydration.
How to successfully use CBD for acne?
You can apply CBD oil directly to the affected area or mix it with a carrier oil. If you have mixed it, you can apply it to the skin normally. However, it is important to choose a carrier oil that is well tolerated by your skin. These include in particular:
- Coconut oil
- Olive oil
- Shea Butter
- Argan Oil
- Taking CBD by mouth can also sometimes help with acne. This is mainly due to anti-inflammatory substances. However, using CBD directly on the skin promises more effective healing processes.
Are there any side effects to expect?
CBD has been found to be safe and has a good safety profile. However, a doctor should be consulted before using it during pregnancy or in combination with other medicines.
The most common side effects are fatigue, diarrhea, and changes in appetite. However, it must be said that these side effects mostly occur when CBD is taken orally. However, if used topically, you may have an allergic reaction.
If you experience symptoms such as swelling of the skin, itching, or peeling of the skin after using products containing CBD, wash the affected area with soap and water. In this case, stop using CBD products and talk to a dermatologist.
Conclusion
As you have seen in this article, CBD can be a very good option for acne. It is also recommended for mild acne, otherwise acne scars will stay on your facial skin for the rest of your life.
However, if you have acne problems, you should see your doctor first. He will go over the possible therapies with you and, if necessary, CBD therapy can be agreed.
