Confused About CBD in Skincare? Here's Everything You Need to Know

CBD is the Cady Heron of the skincare world right now—buzzy, intriguing, and full of secrets (though not as much as Gretchen Weiners’ hair). The ingredient has officially crossed over from being a wellness supplement to a beauty buzzword, but it’s not as simple as looking for “CBD” on your ingredients label and calling it a day. There's a lot of murky marketing out there and more than a few false claims. For example, we’ve seen some major brands hop on the CBD bandwagon and blast it across their marketing channels, when in reality, their products don’t contain any actual CBD at all. We’ve enlisted Dendy Engelman, MD, board-certified dermatologist; Ava Shamban, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Five in LA and co-host of The GIST; Charlotte Palermino, co-founder of cannabis education website Nice Paper, and Ashley Lewis and Meredith Schroeder, co-founders of new online CBD retailer Fleur Marché. Your skin deserves CBD—just make sure you’re buying a product that actually contains it.

Keep scrolling for your no-BS guide to understanding CBD skincare. 

What is CBD?

So, what exactly is CBD? Shamban explains that it is a naturally-occurring chemical compound found in cannabis plants marijuana and hemp. "It's one of the two primary active ingredients of cannabis, the other one being THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which is the active psychotropic," she says.

According to Lewis and Schroeder, (who fell in love with the ingredient during their previous jobs curating products for Goop), it’s “a potent antioxidant, highly anti-inflammatory, and has been shown in multiple studies to reduce lipid production from the sebaceous glands (overproduction of this sebum is possibly one component of what contributes to acne formation).” One such study found that CBD could prevent acne in multiple ways.

How does CBD work? Engelman says CBD interacts with our cannabinoid receptors. "We have receptors in every layer of our skin which trigger to our body when there is pain, an itch, etc.," she explains. "Topical CBD is designed to help those with pruritic skin conditions like eczema or painful conditions like post-herpetic neuralgia when our body’s signals are going haywire. For example, it is not necessarily targeting eczema, but the hormones that are causing the eczema flare-up."

Typically, CBD oil is used in skincare products. You can find CBD serums, creams, masks, and body and face oils. That said, hemp seed oil—which has been a common ingredient in skincare products for a long time—is not the same thing as CBD. There’s nothing wrong with hemp seed oil, but it’s not an active ingredient (though it may help with inflammation, hydration, and controlling oil production).

Benefits of CBD for Skin

• Treat Inflammatory Acne: CBD might help reduce redness, pain, and swelling associated with inflammatory acne.
• Regulate Oil Production: As previously mentioned, CBD helps regulate hormones involved in oil production, reducing excess sebum.
• Reduce Breakouts: CBD may help reduce inflammation of breakouts and, thanks to its oil production regulation, reduce breakouts in general.
• Calm Rosacea: With its ability to reduce inflammation, CBD may help calm rosacea flare-ups.
• Neutralize Free Radical Damage: CBD may work to prevent the weakening of the skin by neutralizing free radical damage.
• Soothe Eczema: CBD helps combat irritation and inflammation caused by eczema, along with chronic skin conditions such as psoriasis and dermatitis, according to Shamban.
• Decrease Hormonal Conditions: Since CBD is thought to be an adaptogen, it may work to decrease the effects of hormones and other compounds that are released into the body in times of stress (ie. kinase, nitric oxide, and cortisol).
• Hydration: CBD has moisturizing properties that can help combat dehydration and dryness.

Side Effects of CBD

Engelman explains that more studies need to be done to verify the efficiency of CBD oil benefits for skin. As such, topical CBD has no known side effects.

How to Use It

How you use CBD skincare is all about the product you're using. "Most CBD products are serums or creams," says Engelman. "Use as you normally would, layering your skincare products from thinnest to thickest. Serums should be applied before creams." That said, you should never self-diagnose your skin conditions. "Always read packaging and ingredients and check with a board-certified dermatologist, primary care, or other medical practitioner before starting any new supplement or topical care," adds Shamban.

The Best Products With CBD

Philip B. CBD Scalp + Body Oil $95.00

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This CBD oil can be used on your skin and hair. It promises to help soothe and calm your scalp and skin, providing deep moisture and reducing the appearance of redness and irritation. It contains 100mg of CBD.

Ildi Pekar Tissue Repair Serum $148.00

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Palermino mentions supermodel facialist Ildi Pekar's CBD line as containing high amounts of CBD. This luxe face oil in particular contains 250mg of CBD oil, along with soothing aloe juice, brightening vitamin c, hyaluronic acid, and more. 

Lord Jones High CBD Formula Bath Salts $65.00

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Engelman is a fan of these bath salts from Lord Jones. "I love [them] because they combine magnesium and Himalayan salts, essential oils, arnica, and CBD, which will reduce inflammation, promote relaxation, and increase a sense of well-being."

Kana Lavender Hemp Sleeping Mask $55.00

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Palermino also swears by this soothing sleeping mask from Kana. "Even though it's lower on the CBD dosing scale, it's one of the nicer lightweight sleeping masks I've tried," she says. 

Kana LIT Hemp Face Oil $70.00

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Lewis and Schroeder are also fans of Kana, citing this this all-purpose face oil (which contains 100mg of CBD) as a favorite. "It's formulated with a ton of other powerful botanicals that help to hydrate skin and manage redness," they explain. "It’s a great addition to both your morning and nighttime routine."

Life Elements CBD & Honey Everyday Skin Repair $36.00

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You get a whopping 100mg of CBD in this honey-infused stick, which is why Lewis and Schroeder cite is as a favorite. "We love the format of this product," they say. "It’s easy to apply any time of day, and you can use it for anything. From chapped lips, to under eyes that need a little brightening, this stick is soothing, calming, and easy to pop in your bag and use anywhere." (It was also one of our editors' picks for the month of October).

Khus + Khus Copious Body Serum $48.00

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Let's not forget that the anti-inflammatory benefits of CBD can extend to your body, too: "This serum is formulated with an array of medicinal herbs and over 80 phytocannabinoids," Lewis and Shroeder say. "It does triple duty by soothing, relaxing and hydrating your skin and muscles. It's a must for anyone who’s had a long day and needs some relief." 

Lord Jones Body Oil $50.00

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Fans of Lord Jones' best-selling Body Lotion ($24) will want to try this oil alternative, which contains 100mg of CBD and comes in rollerball form for easy application (not to mention built-in massage abilities). Plus, the light, floral scent is incredibly soothing. 

Saint Jane Luxury Beauty Serum $125.00

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Saint Jane, the brainchild of a former Sephora exec, is a CBD skincare line that's not here to mess around. Its hero product, the Luxury Beauty Serum, contains a whopping 500mg of CBD, along with 18 other 100 percent natural skin-loving oils, from frankincense to sandalwood. Massage this in morning and night for a lit-from-within glow, even in the dead of winter. Trust us, your skin will thank you.