CBD for Skin Inflammation - How it Works
Loving the skin you’re in can be challenging when inflammation reeks its red, uncomfortable head. Sensitive, inflammation-prone skin is the result of your immune system responding to an irritant, resulting in an uncomfortable, painful, or itchy skin reaction. Factors such as exposure to chemicals, allergies, infections, or even a genetic predisposition can trigger skin inflammation. While the origins of skin inflammation may vary, adding CBD cream to your skincare routine can lessen the severity and discomfort when these irritations arise.
It’s worth noting that inflammation can manifest itself in many ways throughout the body, multiple with which CBD can assist. However, for the sake of today’s article, we’ll be focusing primarily on how CBD can assist with skin redness and inflammation.
What causes skin inflammation?
The two types of inflammation that can occur are acute and chronic. Acute skin inflammation generally lasts up to six weeks or less and can result from various skin issues such as sunburns, acne, or allergic reactions. Chronic inflammation can last beyond six weeks and may become persistent. Skin conditions that are ongoing like psoriasis involve frequent painful flare-ups that do not usually disappear quickly.
External irritants
A fun fact you might not know… when skin becomes irritated from an external cause, you have a compromised skin barrier that allows moisture to escape and external irritants to enter your skin. When your skin encounters an allergen or irritant, your body’s immune system naturally responds. The chemicals released cause inflammation to counteract the allergen, resulting in an itchy rash.
Most allergic skin reactions are caused by fragrances, metals (like nickel used in jewelry), cosmetics, preservatives, and medications. Other environmental factors in our everyday lives such as soaps, fragrances, dust, pollen, smoke, and animal dander can also be the culprit of irritating skin issues. Your skin is the largest organ in your body, so it is always important to be mindful of what ingredients you use on your face and body.
Skin conditions like rosacea
Rosacea is a common skin condition that causes red flushing, visible blood vessels, and a burning sensation on your face. Sometimes it can also produce small uncomfortable bumps. In addition to excess inflammation in the body triggering rosacea flare-ups, extreme temperatures, sunlight, alcohol, and hairspray are also common rosacea triggers. Luckily, CBD face serums can reduce redness and lessen the occurrence of bothersome rosacea flare-ups. To learn more about this specific source of inflammation, read CBD Oil for Rosacea Skincare.
Hormonal changes
If the eyes are the windows into the soul, our skin is a window into our overall health. Skin issues including oiliness, acne, dryness, and sensitivity may be signs of an imbalance in hormone levels. Fluctuating estrogen levels can have an undesirable impact on the skin, often causing acne, dryness, and other less-than-ideal facial issues.
Thankfully, we’re not entirely helpless against such internal factors. Natural ways to balance hormones include eating a healthy diet, reducing stress, and getting enough sleep. The antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of CBD skin products can also help you fight the battle your skin is in from hormonal changes.
Can stress affect your skin?
Absolutely, stress can affect your skin in many ways that you may not expect. Research shows that there is a strong brain-skin connection, with an intricate relationship between stress and common skin conditions. When you are feeling stressed, your body releases chemicals that can cause inflammation and other irritating reactions. Even mild stress can compromise the health of your skin, both causing inflammation, and also making skin issues like hives, rosacea, and eczema harder to heal.
How CBD Can Help Reduce Skin Inflammation
CBD interacts with your endocannabinoid system
The uncomfortable symptoms of skin irritation can plague your everyday life. Thankfully, CBD is an effective and natural solution for skin inflammation, treating the core of your issues and not just the symptoms. CBD oil interacts with receptors that make up the endocannabinoid system that triggers inflammatory responses. As a result, CBD helps to decrease skin inflammation and help placate potential triggers of skin issues like eczema, dermatitis, and psoriasis. CBD cream can also reduce the appearance of redness and irritation.
CBD shields your skin from external irritants
As mentioned above, inflammation is a natural response to external factors, many of which CBD can help shield your complexion from with its antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Creating a stronger barrier to protect compromised skin from external irritants, CBD oils and serums are naturally derived to protect, soothe, and replenish your irritated skin.
CBD helps with sleep
A little extra sleep can go a long way in empowering your body to fight a variety of issues, including skin inflammation. CBD can alleviate stress and improve sleep by activating your body’s serotonin receptors, calming the mind, and reducing anxious feelings. During increased rest, your body can focus its energy on renewing your immune system, aiding damaged skin cells, and recalibrating cortisol levels. Products like CBD sleep spray combine CBD with other sleep aids, such as melatonin and magnesium, for an all-in-one solution.
Seek Quality CBD When Handling Sensitive Skin
Simple and natural ingredients
Your choice of skin elixirs should consist of simple and organic formulas. Fragrances, parabens, and other unnatural ingredients in skin care products are likely culprits for skin irritation. Make sure to always be mindful of the ingredients you use on your face and body to avoid allergic skin reactions, a concept we explore more in Non-Toxic Skincare - Healthy Products & Ingredients.
Trustworthy products
The quality of products you put on your body can never be underestimated. Botanika life products are made from simple naturally sourced ingredients, using clean formulas, and plant-based ingredients. It is important to find skincare products that are free from pesticides, dangerous chemicals, and other skin irritants. Quality CBD products are tested by a third-party lab to validate the cannabinoids, CBD dosage, THC levels, and other vital components within each product.
Combat Skin Inflammation With CBD Products From Botanika Life
Elite Elixir: Made from organic Hemp Seed Oil and Full Spectrum CBD, this serum reduces skin inflammation while alleviating breakouts, reducing redness, and soothing eczema.
Plant Stem Skin Elixir: Achieve age-defying results by adding Plant Stem Cell CBD Serum to your regimen. Rich with antioxidants and omegas, the potent blend of botanicals and Marula oil allow your skin to heal, replenish, and combat inflammation itself with this soothing facial product.
Vitamin C & CBD Skin Elixir: Packed with antioxidants, the CBD-infused Vitamin C + Squalene Skin Elixir brightens skin, reduces signs of aging, and leaves your skin with a luminous glow. The combination of CBD and Vitamin C works together to ease redness, target discoloration, and diminish dark spots.
Indulge your skin with the deluxe Skin Elixir CBD Set. Hydrate, brighten, and allow CBD to soothe your inflamed skin, while also protecting your skin from external irritants.
By Emily Wegener
With a unique background as an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, Masters Degree in Teaching and experience in Psychology, Emily spends much of her time researching and trying out new holistic healing modalities.
