CBD skin care is all the rage right now, but is it a certified holy grail or nothing more than a marketing ploy? 

If you’re at all interested in skin care, the likelihood is that you’ve heard a lot about CBD lately. CBD stands for cannabidiol, which is an active ingredient found in the Cannabis sativa plan. And no, it can’t get you stoned – that’s THC.

However, there is evidence to suggest that CBD boasts mood-altering benefits; it’s believed to help with anxiety, inflammation and pain management. One study even found CBD to be effective at reducing nausea and vomiting in chemotherapy patients, whilst another showed that it may be able to prevent diabetes. Whilst much more research must be done to conclusively prove these claims, these early studies are very promising. 

And if that weren’t enough, CBD also has healing properties which make it a highly sought-after skin care ingredient. In fact, Kourtney Kardashian recently released a CBD serum and I think we can all agree that she’s got great skin. Whilst I haven’t tried her serum, I do know my way around the CBD skin care aisle fairly well, so keep on reading for my top product recommendations. 

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Why is CBD Good for Skin?

CBD oil has a multitude of skin care benefits which make it suitable for pretty much all skin types. 

It contains antioxidants, which counteract free radical damage to keep your skin youthful and healthy. It’s also super hydrating, which is great if you struggle with dry skin.

At the same time, CBD helps to regulate sebum production which is great for managing acne in the long term, as well as reducing the appearance of blackheads and large pores. It also offers short-term relief for acne sufferers by reducing inflammation and soothing angry blemishes. 

These healing and anti-inflammatory properties mean that CBD oil is also suitable for those suffering from eczema and psoriasis. It can also help with pain management which is great for when your skin is particularly sore during a flare-up. 

Different Types of CBD 

There are three main types of CBD, each of which have their own benefits. It’s not necessarily a case of one form being better than another, it simply depends on your unique skin care needs.

Full spectrum oil: this contains multiple extracts from the cannabis plant, including trace amounts of THC. However, it doesn’t contain enough THC to intoxicate you and it’s still legal so long as the concentration is below 0.3%. The biggest benefit of using full spectrum CBD is the so-called ‘entourage effect’ whereby the cannabis compounds work together to increase the product’s effectiveness. 

Broad spectrum oil: this also contains multiple cannabis extracts for increased effectiveness, but no THC. You might consider it to be a happy medium.

CBD isolate: this is CBD alone, with no other compounds. It’s perhaps not as potent as full and broad spectrum oils, but it’s also less greasy and great for those who are new to the world of CBD skincare. 

You may also see many products which contain hemp or cannabis sativa oil. Whilst these ingredients bear many similarities to CBD oil, they’re not the same and are better suited to hand and body products. 

The Best CBD Skin Care Products

Better Daze Ahead CBD Oil Moisturizer – Farmacy Beauty

If your face is dry, dull or distressed, this moisturizer will save your skin. It also contains omega 3 and 6 acids to help calm irritation and balance your natural oil production. Best of all, it contains a high concentration of sustainably produced, pesticide free full-spectrum CBD oil so that you’ll enjoy the true “entourage effect.”As the name states, Better Daze (get it?) really are ahead for your skin! 

Lueur CBD Face Serum 

High performance clean beauty brand Lueur have really knocked it out of the park with this incredible face serum. It’s essentially a supercharged cocktail of potent active ingredients, including hemp, rosehip seed, carrot seed and sandalwood oils – to name but a few! It contains a high concentration of broad spectrum CBD, so you can enjoy the “entourage effects” without any trace amounts of THC. 

Cannuka Eye Balm 

If you’re prone to dryness, fine lines or sensitivity around your eye area, it’s worth considering a gentle eye cream. This one from Cannuka will help to reduce the appearance of dark circles and contains soothing manuka honey, as well as vitamin C to brighten the skin. I love it! 

Saint Jane Luxury Beauty Serum

I’m not sure whether there’s actually a patron saint of skincare, but clean beauty brand Saint Jane is certainly a worthy contender for the title. The Luxury Beauty Serum contains 500mg of full spectrum CBD oil, so you really get your money’s worth. On top of this, it also contains powerful radiance-boosting ingredients such as sea buckthorn and calendula. Yes, the price is a little steep but it’s more than worth it for beautifully clear, hydrated and perfectly luminous skin. This little bottle is like a fairy godmother for your skin! 

For more on skincare, you might also like this guide to giving yourself an expert facial at home or these simple skin care hacks.