Some studies have been conducted that show that CBD oil may be helpful for treating acne. However, its effects may vary slightly in each case, depending on what type of acne a person has and what’s causing it. CBD oil can help treat various types of acne due to its ability to adjust the body’s sebum creating processes. Sebum is basically an oily, waxy substance that is produced by the skin.
Acne is a common skin condition in humans. Many people deal with this skin condition at some point in their lives, be it on a daily basis or occasionally. Sebum protects our skin from the impurities of the outside world. However, when it gets mixed with dirt, dead skin cells, or other pollutants and becomes trapped inside a pore, it can turn the clogged pore into acne.
Many factors affect acne, including hormonal imbalances, excess sebum production, and genetics. Other factors, such as, stress levels, diet, and some medicines, may also influence the severity of an individual’s symptoms.
A study conducted in 2014 explored the effects of CBD oil on human sebocytes (the cells that produce sebum) and found out that CBD prevented these cells from producing excess sebum. It was also revealed that CBD oil initiated an anti-inflammatory reaction in the skin cells to prevent the inflammatory cytokines from activating. These cytokines can trigger acne, so preventing them from activating may help reduce further breakouts.
How to Use CBD Oil for Acne Treatment
To use CBD oil for acne treatment, you simply have to mix it with a carrier oil and then apply it on your skin directly. It’s important to use a carrier oil that suits your skin to avoid other skin problems. Carrier oils include:
- Argan oil
- Olive oil
- Shea butter
- Coconut oil
Taking CBD oil orally may also help treat acne in some cases, as its anti-inflammatory compounds remain active when they enter a person’s body. However, the research exploring CBD’s effects on the skin applied CBD oil directly on the sebum-producing cells, so topical application may be the best way to use it.
There are also various topical CBD products available online for purchase. However, you should check what other ingredients they contain before buying them to avoid exposing your skin to irritating or harsh ingredients. It is also important to ensure that the manufacturer’s products have undergone third-party laboratory tests to confirm the level of CBD content contained in them.
In 2017, a research was conducted in which 84 different products containing CBD were tested. It was found that 26% of them contained less amount of CBD than mentioned on their label.
Does CBD work for body acne?
As body acne occurs due to the same reasons and by the same mechanisms as facial acne does, it is possible that CBD oil could help treat body acne as well. Many skin care product manufacturers add CBD into body washes and soap bars due to the same reason.
Although CBD oil may not be specifically marketed as a treatment for body acne, its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties may offer some benefit.
The Bottom Line
To confirm that CBD oil is an effective treatment for acne, we need to conduct large-scale research on living skin. Until dermatologists and researchers conduct those, smaller studies do suggest CBD oil as a potential remedy for acne. If you do buy CBD oil or other CBD products for acne, make sure to read the labels and buy from a reputable manufacturer whose products undergo third-party laboratory tests.