CBD products have become a go-to choice for people who are in search of natural and clean alternatives to traditional medicines and supplements. CBD is now used mainly to deal with a variety of ailments related to anxiety issues, sleep troubles, and chronic pain.
Most people usually opt for edibles like CBD gummies and tinctures, but recently there’s been a surge in demand for CBD topicals as well. Recent studies show that CBD-infused topicals like lotions and gels can do wonders for your skin health. After all, skin is the most exposed area of your body to environmental pollutants, and is quite prone to damage.
In this article, we will explore the world of CBD lotions and gels and learn how they might be a much better, cleaner, and safer alternative to traditional skin care products which are full of harmful chemicals.
What Is CBD?
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a naturally occurring cannabinoid found in hemp and marijuana plants. There are over 100 cannabinoids in a hemp or marijuana plant, but CBD is the most studied and widely used cannabinoid.
All the CBD products that you see in stores and online sites are made from CBD extracted specifically from hemp plants. Why? Because hemp plants naturally have higher concentrations of CBD and only trace amounts of another cannabinoid, THC,
THC has intoxicating properties; hence, it’s not allowed for use on a large scale in wellness products made for the general public. As per the 2018 farm law, CBD products with only 0.3% or less THC are allowed for production and sale federally. The marijuana plant has higher THC levels, and its consumption and production are still banned in many states.
What are CBD Topicals?
CBD topicals are skin care products made by infusing cannabidiol-rich hemp extract with a base of more water-based emulsions or different carrier oils like shea butter, aloe vera gel, coconut oil, etc., and sometimes a combination of both. For example, Colorado Botanicals hemp infused balm is one of the best pain-relieving CBD topicals available on the market right now.
CBD topicals are available in various forms, just like your regular cosmetic products. Based on your use case, you can buy a variety of CBD topicals like creams, balms, gels, and lotions.
They are quite easy to use, can be directly applied to your skin, and provide long-lasting relief from dryness, pain, acne, and many other skin issues.
The on-the-skin application makes them a better choice for skin-related issues by providing targeted relief on affected area issues as compared to edible CBD products like tinctures and gummies.
CBD lotions are perfect for people who have dry skin and often struggle to keep it moisturized. Plus, they can also provide relief from general soreness and skin irritations as well. Whereas CBD gels can go deep into your skin to provide relief from pain and inflammation, making them the perfect option for people who have an active lifestyle.
Many people follow a bedtime skincare routine, and incorporating CBD topicals in that routine can do wonders for skin health without causing any severe reactions or side effects.
How Do CBD Lotions and Gels Work?
Our skin is the largest organ of our body, and it’s full of various pores which allow the body to release oil and sweat, maintain temperature, absorb ointments, remove waste and toxins, shed old skin cells, and support hair growth.
The absorption function of our skin pores allows penetration and release of CBD through topicals to the affected areas. When applied to the skin, CBD does not directly enter the bloodstream. Instead, it gets absorbed through skin layers and interacts with the cannabinoid receptors of our Endocannabinoid System present in the area.
It specifically targets the CB1 and CB2 receptors which are responsible for maintaining a state of balance by controlling multiple physiological processes including pain perception, inflammation, and overall skin health.
Hence, CBD topicals are effective in providing relief from various inflammatory responses like rashes or acne, and by promoting sebum production to keep the skin lush, smooth, and hydrated.
There’s another CBD skin care product type called Transdermal. Transdermal CBD gels or lotions are made with special ingredients that allow the CBD to penetrate through the outer layer of the skin and reach the deeper layers underneath.
This allows the CBD to enter the bloodstream and provide healing effects throughout the body; hence, transdermal CBD products are suitable for regular full-body CBD benefits like mood improvement, sleep betterment, muscle relaxation, or anti-aging.
Benefits Of CBD Lotions And Gels
Studies have shown that CBD-infused topicals like Lotions and Gels can provide a wide range of benefits, let’s understand them in detail.
Skin Protection and Pain Relief
CBD may help protect skin cells from damage caused by environmental stressors like pollution, UV rays, and inflammation by activating antioxidant defenses in the skin. Early research suggests topical CBD could reduce pain and inflammation in specific areas when applied directly.
Eczema/Dermatitis and Hair Growth
The anti-inflammatory properties of CBD may help calm skin rashes, itchiness, and irritation associated with eczema and dermatitis. Lower doses of CBD seem to promote hair growth, while higher doses suppress it, possibly by interacting with receptors in the hair follicles.
Wound Healing and Acne
Some studies show that CBD could promote better wound healing by regulating inflammation and skin cell growth/repair processes.CBD may also help in treating acne by reducing excessive oil production, skin inflammation, and overgrowth of acne-causing bacteria on the skin.
Conclusion
To sum it up, CBD lotions and gels have become quite popular in the cosmetic industry. Many people have now started to incorporate CBD topicals into their skincare routine. They are made with natural and clean ingredients and hardly have any harmful chemicals in them, which makes them a perfect choice for people who have sensitive skin and don’t want to deal with the side effects of other chemical-ridden cosmetics.
CBD lotions and gels can provide relief from itchy skin, dryness, inflammation, muscle soreness, and even severe skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema. Just make sure to always opt for topicals sold by reputable brands like Colorado Botanicals, and make sure to read the application instructions and lab reports properly. Generally, all you’ll need to do is apply some amount of lotion or gel to the affected area and rub it gently for a few minutes until it gets absorbed into your skin.