Acne. Teenagers get it, and so do adults. Over 9% of the population gets acne, so if it happens to you, you are not alone.
Acne can be unsightly and extremely visible, sometimes causing people to hide their skin or avoid being with other people.
Pimples can be painful and cause scars. The beauty and skincare industry offers hundreds of products designed to help reduce acne, but many people find these products do not work very well. CBD can help alleviate acne breakouts in a safe, effective manner.
Causes of Acne
Scientists believe that acne is caused by multiple factors, these include the following:
- Genetics
- Bacteria
- Inflammation
- Sebum
- Dirt and Clogged Pores
Sebum is an oily secretion produced by the sebaceous glands in the skin. Your face, back, neck, shoulders, and chest all contain a large concentration of sebaceous glands, which is why people often experience acne breakouts in these areas.
Your skin needs sebum to protect against dryness and stay healthy. Acne happens when sebum, dead skin cells, and dirt clog your skin’s pores and hair follicles.
Blackheads, pus-filled pimples, and large, red, tender bumps form around the clogs. Bacteria can cause severe acne by causing infections and increasing inflammation.
What is CBD?
CBD is an oil extracted from the hemp plant. Although hemp and marijuana are in the same plant family, CBD does not contain THC, the active substance in marijuana that makes a person feel high.
Since becoming legal in the United States in 2018, hemp plants are commercially grown and tested to make sure they contain less than 0.3% THC, which is the legal limit.
CBD oil is extracted from the stalks, leaves, and flowers of the hemp plant. Hemp oil, in contrast, is extracted from the plant seeds and does not contain any CBD.
Hemp can also be made into a tough, fibrous material that is used to make rope, clothes, and building products.
The Science Behind How CBD Works
The cannabis plant, either hemp or marijuana, has been used in medicine for centuries. Ancient doctors used it to help relieve pain and digestion problems. Modern science has studied how CBD works in animals and models.
Although there have been some clinical studies, more research is needed on exactly how CBD works in the human body.
Research shows that CBD affects the endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system is responsible for maintaining chemical homeostasis, or balance, of functions that affect wellbeing.
Neurotransmitters, like serotonin, must be maintained at the proper levels in the brain and body to regulate processes like memory, mood, pain, stress, appetite, sleep, metabolism, immune function, and reproduction.
CBD acts on endocannabinoid system receptors to decrease or increase the levels of neurotransmitter chemicals needed for these processes to function correctly.
Studies report that CBD also has antioxidant, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Because of these properties, CBD can alleviate acne breakouts.
CBD Fights Acne
Unlike a lot of other beauty products, CBD has a direct effect on the causes of acne. CBD alleviates acne in three different ways:
- CBD Inhibits Sebum Production
In test tubes and other studies, CBD regulated sebaceous glands from over-producing sebum. By maintaining the proper balance, the skin is less oily. CBD also promotes sebum production when needed to help alleviate dry skin.
- CBD Destroys Bacteria
The anti-bacterial properties of CBD help it to eliminate bacteria that infect the skin and cause severe acne.
- CBD Reduces Inflammation
With its anti-inflammatory properties, CBD reduces cytokines. Cytokines are proteins in the body that increase inflammation. By preventing the activation of cytokines, CBD reduces the inflammation associated with acne breakouts.
Combinations of CBD and hemp oil are also used to treat acne scars. Together, they have properties that promote cell growth and decrease inflammation in scar tissue.
CBD can help alleviate acne breakouts. It works directly with the body’s endocannabinoid system to decrease excess sebum oil production while reducing bacteria and inflammation. The next time you have an acne breakout, it can help you too.
Precaution: Consult your doctor before using CBD. This article is not a substitute for medical advice