Acne is a common skin condition that millions of Americans struggle with, and it can both mar a person’s appearance and impact their self-esteem. Many people who suffer from acne search for products to treat it, including natural products that might help to promote healthy and beautiful skin. If you are dealing with acne, you might have heard about some people using cannabidiol (CBD) as a potential treatment for acne.
CBD is a compound that comes from the cannabis or hemp plant, and many products contain it that are available everywhere. While CBD has greatly risen in popularity, you might wonder whether it might work as an acne treatment. Here is some information about CBD and whether it might offer benefits for acne.
What Is CBD?
CBD is a chemical compound that is found in the cannabis plant. Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), however, CBD does not have psychoactive properties and will not produce a high. For decades, people believed that CBD was an inactive ingredient of the cannabis plant. However, following the discovery of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the body in 1988 and the later passage of the Farm Bill, which legalized hemp plants in the U.S., researchers have started looking at CBD to determine its potential benefits for a variety of conditions [1].
The ECS is a system in the body that is thought to regulate various bodily functions and processes to maintain homeostasis. It includes multiple receptors or binding sites throughout the body to which endocannabinoids bind. Your body naturally produces endocannabinoids, and both CBD and THC also bind to these receptor sites.
To date, the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has only approved CBD for the treatment of two forms of childhood epilepsy as Epidiolex. Research into CBD’s effectiveness for other conditions is still ongoing, so there is currently no definite answer to whether CBD might be effective as an acne treatment. However, recent studies indicate it might have promise as a potential treatment for acne.
Best CBD Topicals
Understanding Acne
Acne is a skin condition that develops because of the buildup of excess dirt, oil, and dead skin cells that clog skin pores. As debris builds up in the pores, a bacteria called Propionibacterium acnes causes blemishes to develop. Treating acne involves ensuring the skin is kept clean, reducing excess oil, dirt, and debris that can clog the pores, and eliminating acne-causing bacteria from the skin’s pores and surface.
Research on CBD and Acne (Does CBD Help Acne Treatments?)
Research on the effectiveness of CBD as a potential therapeutic for acne continues to emerge. Several studies have demonstrated that CBD might show some promise.
Research on CBD and the Potential Reduction of Oil Production
Researchers have looked at whether CBD might be useful in interfering with the processes that can lead to acne, including the buildup of excess oil. In one study, researchers evaluated the potential effects of CBD on samples of human skin and the glands that produce oil [2]. They found that CBD might reduce the production of oil and might also reduce inflammation of the glands that produce oil and found that CBD might be a promising treatment for acne.
Research on CBD’s Potentially Anti-Inflammatory Effects on Acne
In 2022, the available research on the potential anti-inflammatory effects of CBD on acne was summarized in an article published in the Journal of Inflammation Research [3]. Upon reviewing the available data, the authors found that CBD might inhibit the release of inflammatory cytokines and reduce inflammation in acne and acne-like conditions.
Research on CBD and Acne Scars
In 2019, Italian researchers evaluated a CBD ointment and its topical application for 20 participants who had scars from atopic dermatitis and psoriasis [4]. The participants used the CBD ointment two times each day for three months, applying it to the scars on their skin. At the end of the study period, the researchers found that the participants’ scars were more elastic and had a significant improvement in appearance. However, this study’s small size and the fact that it was conducted with people who suffered from psoriasis and atopic dermatitis rather than those who had acne scars should be taken into account.
Potential Side Effects
Researchers have reported that CBD has a generally safe profile. The most common side effects reported by people who used CBD included changes in appetite, diarrhea, and fatigue [5]. However, most people who reported these side effects experienced them after ingesting CBD rather than topically applying it. Some people might experience allergic reactions to topical ointments and creams containing CBD, including reddened skin, hives, peeling skin, or swelling. People who experience an allergic reaction should promptly discontinue their use of the product and talk to their doctors. While CBD does not have many side effects, its use may cause:
- liver damage if people use CBD alongside certain medications, such as valproate
- drowsiness and sleepiness
- allergic reactions, such as skin discoloration and itchiness
Learn more about the correct dosages of CBD here.
Looking For High-Quality CBD for Acne?
While research has not yet shown that CBD is an effective treatment for acne and acne scars, the early studies are promising. If you are considering adding CBD to your acne treatment regimen, you should first speak to your doctor or dermatologist to verify whether it might interact with your other acne medications. You should also make sure that you obtain topical CBD ointment or cream from a reliable source that works with a certified, third-party lab to test its products for CBD concentration.
At Sugar Bottom Hemp, we partner with a certified, third-party laboratory to test all of our extracts and confirm the concentration of CBD in our products. To learn more about CBD products that might help with the treatment of acne or other conditions, contact us today to learn about our full product lineup.
Bibliography
[1] Nazarenus, C. (2019). The discovery of the endocannabinoid system. In Cannabis Handbook for Healthcare Professionals (pp. 29-38), Springer Publishing Company. DOI: 10.1891/9780826135735.0003
[2] Oláh, A., Tóth, B. I., Borbíró, I., Sugawara, K., Szöllõsi, A. G., Czifra, G., … & Bíró, T. (2014). Cannabidiol exerts sebostatic and antiinflammatory effects on human sebocytes. The Journal of Clinical Investigation, 124(9), 3713-3724. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI64628
[3] Pevravian, N., Deo, S., Daunert, S., & Jimenez, J. J. (2022). The anti-inflammatory effects of cannabidiol (CBD) on acne. Journal of Inflammation Research, 15, 2795-2801. https://doi.org/10.2147/JIR.S355489
[4] Stella, A., Palmieri, B., Laurino, C., & Vadalà, M. (2019). A therapeutic effect of cbd-enriched ointment in inflammatory skin diseases and cutaneous scars. La Clinica Terapeutica, 170(2), e93-e99. DOI: 10.7417/CT.2019.2116
[5] Iffland, K. & Grotenhermen, F. (2017). An update on safety and side effects of cannabidiol: A review of clinical data and relevant animal studies. Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, 2(1), 139-154. https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2016.0034
