Can CBD help treat acne? Yes, and we explain how

Can CBD help treat acne? It works for so many other health concerns…

For thousands of years, people have turned to natural remedies for more beautiful, healthy skin; so really, it’s no surprise that people ask “can CBD help treat acne?”.

Cannabidiol, or CBD as it’s commonly known, has become a popular natural remedy for a variety of common health concerns. It is widely accepted amongst the scientific community that CBD works by its interaction with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is a natural bodily system that exists in every person, which is made up of endocannabinoid receptors. Our bodies produce their own (endogenous) endocannabinoids that react with these receptors. Cannabinoids that come from plants are known as phytocannabinoids- CBD is one of these. They supplement the body’s ECS and also stimulate it to produce its own endocannabinoids. This is important, because scientists already agree that the ECS plays a critical role in a number of important physiological and cognitive processes within the body.

Can CBD help to treat acne? What causes acne?

Acne is an uncomfortable skin condition that can affect people of all ages. The NIAMS defines that acne occurs when pores become clogged with excess oil, dirt, and dead skin cells¹. A particular bacterium, Propionibacterium acnes can accumulate in the pores, leading to irritating, raised, red blemishes. Hormonal imbalances, diet, stress levels, medications and genetics also play a role in the development of acne.

So can CBD help to treat acne? The majority of the studies that have looked at this topic have been focused around CBD’s ability to slow or potentially stop the process of sebum production. Sebum is the greasy substance that our skin produces to help protect it from the outside world, however too much sebum combined with dirt leads clogged pores and acne.

A 2014 study² concluded that CBD prevented sebocytes (the cells that produce sebum) from producing too much of the oily substance. Their study also revealed that CBD triggered an anti-inflammatory reaction in the sebocytes and prevented inflammatory cytokines (the molecules that trigger acne) from activating, potentially preventing further breakouts.

Following that, a literature review conducted in 2016³ emphasized the potent antifungal and antibacterial effects of CBD. These properties might therefore help to reduce skin infections from dirt on the skin surface, which would help to prevent future acne breakouts.

Can CBD help treat acne? How should I use it?

If you’re wondering “can CBD help treat acne?”, the best way to find out whether it will work for you is to try it! Most of the current literature has been based upon applying CBD directly to the skin, so it may be best to start by trying topical application. You can do this by mixing it in with a carrier oil that works for your skin, such as olive oil, coconut oil or shea butter.

Certainly, if you’re already taking CBD orally for other purposes, you can expect that it may also help with acne treatment, since the anti-inflammatory compounds will still be active as they enter your body when you ingest them.

Choose Transcending Organics when you want to try CBD oil for acne.

Can CBD help to treat acne? The current science is promising, so it is certainly worth trying. But did you know that not all CBD oil is created equally? There are many inferior quality CBD oils on the market. However, you can be confident in your purchase from Transcending Organics. All of our CBD oil products are produced using only completely organic, non-GMO and vegan ingredients. Our CBD products undergo rigorous filtration procedures to ensure that there is no THC in the final product that reaches our customers, so you can be confident that our CBD will not have any psychoactive or addictive properties whatsoever.

Disclaimer

The information contained in this blog post looking at whether CBD can help treat acne, is intended for educational purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat any illness or skin condition, and it should not be taken as general or medical advice. Transcending Organics always recommends that you consult with your trusted health or medical professional for an accurate diagnosis of your skin condition.

References

¹National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, Acne, [https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/acne], accessed 02/11/2021.

²Olah, A., Toth, B. I., Borbiro, I., Sugawara, K., Szollosi, A. G., Czifra, G., Pal, B., et al., (2014), Cannabidiol exerts sebostatic and anti-inflammatory effects on human sebocytes, The Journal of Clinical Investigation, 124, [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4151231/], accessed 02/11/2021.

³Andre, C., M., Hausman, J., Guerriero, G., (2016), Cannabis sativa: The plant of a thousand and one molecules, Frontiers in Plant Science, 7, [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4740396/], accessed 02/11/2021.