CBD Oil for Rosacea Skincare

Let’s talk about rosacea. Firstly, this is a fairly common skin condition with more than 16 million people in the US, alone, being affected by it. It’s an inflammatory condition that is caused by the body’s immune system responding to stimuli. It can be triggered by any number of things including stress, diet, and environmental factors. Rosacea presents as extreme flushing or blushing on the face, usually across the cheeks and nose. Sometimes, small pus-filled bumps can also appear, and be mistaken for another common skin condition: acne.

More women and AFAB individuals are affected by rosacea than men and AMAB individuals, and the likelihood of developing rosacea climbs as you age beyond your thirties. 

Unfortunately, there’s no real way to prevent rosacea from happening completely. However, treatments that include antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties can reduce the appearance of the redness and bumps that may show as a result of a rosacea flare-up. However, prescription treatments run the risk of causing allergic reactions, and the overuse of antibiotics may cause you to develop a resistance to its advantages. 

For these reasons, more and more people with rosacea are turning to CBD oil for its anti-inflammatory benefits. It’s gentle enough for sensitive skin yet powerful enough to deliver real results.

How does CBD oil lessen the visibility of rosacea?

CBD interacts with both the immune and nervous systems through the endocannabinoid system, where the CBD bonds or interacts with the CB1 and CB2 receptors that have a hand in regulating these systems. The immune system is extremely important in combatting rosacea because the condition is a direct result of the immune system reacting to certain spurs.

In this way, CBD contributes four main properties that are not just weapons against the symptoms of rosacea but help with keeping the skin healthy and clear in general.

  • Anti-Inflammation: CBD oil is a fantastic anti-inflammatory agent. When it bonds to the receptors that help regulate the immune system, CBD keeps immune reactions in check. The body should and does create immune responses to many different stimuli, both internal and external. However, as more dangerous environmental stimulants, viruses, and bacteria become more endemic in everyday life, the immune system is bombarded with signals to shield or fight back against unknown invaders, and can sometimes get signals crossed. 

Inflammation can be mistaken for the symptom of something being wrong, but it is actually the immune system’s response, not the cause of illness or ailment. The goal should be to regulate these responses, so the body attains homeostasis, and CBD does this job very well.

So what does CBD oil's anti-inflammation benefits have to do with rosacea? Inflammation exacerbates redness and the severity of flare-ups.

  • Anti-Microbial: What is anti-microbial? This is a feature that is often found in skincare and beauty products because being anti-microbial means the product will help protect against bacteria and other microbes that could be harmful to the skin, as well as leave the skin and pores vulnerable to clogging and breakouts. 

Unfortunately, alcohol is the go-to ingredient for anti-microbial claims, but it actually dries the skin out, and most people with sensitive skin conditions (like rosacea) tend to need to stay away from excessive alcohol content. This is how CBD can be an extremely beneficial ingredient, as it has anti-microbial properties yet doesn't sacrafice beneficial hydration

  • Pain Relief: Because CBD oil works with receptors in all of the other regulatory systems, it can bond with receptors that regulate immune system responses. These are often the cause of pain, especially when inflammation is involved. However, it can also bond with receptors that regulate the nervous system. Often, when acute pain or aches are felt, this is a result of messages passed along the nervous system that tell the brain to interpret something as unpleasant.

CBD has the ability to inhibit these interpretations, so pain related to rosacea is mitigated. When taken as a topical or sublingually, CBD can work almost immediately to soothe unique or even chronic pain complaints.

  • Stress Relief: The body naturally contains an inhibitory neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA. This neurotransmitter works to regulate and reduce stress and anxiety. There is evidence that CBD can increase the levels of GABA, so the body is able to counteract physiological and psychosomatic stress responses that can be a trigger for any number of ailments, including skin conditions like rosacea, psoriasis, and eczema, or anxiety and anxiety-related disorders.
Elite Elixir Spill

Choosing High-Quality CBD is Important for Rosacea

Keep in mind that some CBD products are inherently better than others. Make sure you’re treating your rosacea with high-quality serums by keeping an eye out for:

  • “Clean” formulas that use organically grown plant-based ingredients. Everyone should steer clear of CBD oils that have unnecessary fillers, but this is particularly true if you have rosacea. What’s more, the products should be free from pesticides and GMOs, ideally backed by third-party lab results. What’s more, we recommend people with rosacea use CBD harvested from hemp grown in the USA. 
  • Expired CBD products. Yes, CBD oil can expire. While this may mean diminished potency, there’s also an increased risk of adverse reactions (especially when digested). Always be mindful of the expiration date on the product, as well as any suspicious smells or consistencies. 
  • Full-spectrum CBD is preferable. While other types like “CBD isolate” and “CBD broad spectrum” have their own merits, they aren’t as powerful as full-spectrum CBD. This is because the latter undergoes less processing, meaning it contains a wider diversity of cannabinoids and terpenes that bolster the CBD’s effects, whether alleviating rosacea or providing pain relief.  
  • Avoid CBD and other skincare products with unnatural fragrances or synthetic ingredients. Introducing unnatural (and unnecessry) ingredients increase the likelihood of irritation, allergens, and overall harsher chemicals. 

Botanika Life CBD Skincare for Individuals With Rosacea

Botanika Life’s products are all-natural and vegan, with third-party lab results to back up the claims. Rest assured that all of our skincare solutions are sulfate-free, paraben-free, non-GMO, and perfectly safe ingredients. Check out the following CBD products from Botanika Life that can reduce the signs of rosacea (and deliver other complexion-nourishing benefits).

Elite Elixir: The Elite Elixir combines 1500mg of full spectrum CBD oil with an organic hemp seed oil, creating a serum clean enough to ingest. When topically applied, CBD helps to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, inflammation, and hyperpigmentation. It also acts as a moisturizer, or even spot treatment. Most importantly, its powerful CBD contents can calm both the redness and discomfort that comes with rosacea.  

    The best part? This elixir can be used alone, combined with another cream or ointment, taken under the tongue (sublingually), or infused in drinks or food. It’s that versatile!

    Vitamin C Skin Elixir: Wake up your best skin with the Vitamin C Elixir that has 1000mg of full spectrum CBD oil, Vitamin C, and squalane. This last ingredient is rich in omega fatty acids and, together with Vitamin C and CBD oil, will be brighten, smooth, and firm your complexion. 

    The CBD and the other powerful ingredients will benefit rosacea-prone skin by hydrating, calming flare-ups, and protecting from external stressors. 

    Unblemished Acne Treatment: Have sensitive skin, and need a great acne or blemish treatment? Look no further than the Unblemished Acne Treatment, which contains 120mg of full spectrum CBD oil, salicylic acid, and tea tree oil. These three ingredients form a trifecta to exfoliate and cleanse the skin, unclog pores, and reduce excess sebum production, all without jeopardizing rosacea-prone complexions. 

      Not only can Unblemished be used directly to areas affected by acne and rosacea, but it can also be applied daily to the face, neck, and chest to prevent future breakouts, or as a cleanser.

      Skin Elixir Set: This set comprises of a 1oz travel or portable size version of each of the Elite Elixir, the Vitamin C Elixir, and the Plant Stem Cell Elixir, with the proprietary Botanika Life quartz crystal face roller. These three elixirs cover all angles when it comes to skin and beauty care. With ingredients that fight the signs of aging, help keep the skin clear, and provide comfort from skin conditions like rosacea, there’s no downside to this rosacea-friendly CBD set!

      CBD Elixir Kit

      FAQ About Using CBD For Rosacea 

      • Is hemp seed oil as effective as CBD oil for soothing rosacea? CBD and hemp seed oil are often said in the same breath, and some products (like our Elite Elixir) will even offer both with hemp seed oil acting as a carrier oil. However, despite the fact that both come from the same plant, they offer significantly different benefits. Hemp seed oil is a great moisturizer and offers some vitamins and anti-oxidant properties. However, it doesn't offer the same level of inflammation and pain relief as CBD, making CBD the optimal solution for assuaging rosacea. 
      • What are other ways to sooth rosacea outside of CBD? Luckily, CBD isn't the only tool at your disposal when facing a particularly severe rosacea flare-up. Make sure to drink plenty of fluids and consider positioning yourself near a humidifier that will infuse the air with moisture. If time allows, do your favorite relaxation activity or meditate.
      • Is it okay to wear makeup if I experience rosacea? Individuals with rosacea can indeed wear cosmetics, but will want to be selective with which they choose. As a general tip, seek products that have lighter consistencies and are targeted towards individuals with sensitive skin. For example, waterproof makeup and similarly heavy foundations can be especially irritating and require a more vigorous routine when removing it. 
      • Can I use CBD instead of sunscreen? We mentioned that CBD can help shield skin from external stressors, but it's important to note that it does not block UV rays. Therefore, it should be regarded as a supplementary product to sunscreen rather than a substitute. Sunscreen is one of the most powerful tools to preventing rosacea, so make sure to keep your skin protected!
      • Can I combine CBD with another rosacea cream? Absolutely! When layering multiple products on your face, the general rule of thumb is to place the "lightest" closest to your complexion (which will most likely be your CBD oil). Alternatively, you can even stir CBD oil into your chosen rosacea cream to give it an extra boost.