I Swapped My Entire Skin-Care Routine for CBD Products, and My Skin Is Better for It
I have no good reason why it's not: Cannabidiol, the non-psychoactive component of the marijuana plant, has been infiltrating the wellness world due to its incredible anti-inflammatory prowess. And as skin issues stemming from inflammation rise, the study-backed powerful antidote (and antioxidant, I might add) is ready to take on acne, rosacea, dryness, and free radical damage all in equal measure. So, you could say it can hang with the OG MVPs of the skin-care world.
"CBD has been shown to have a soothing effect on the skin, and has been used in the treatment of acne and rosacea as well as eczema and dryness," says Shirley Chi, MD, a Los Angeles-based dermatologist. With such a stacked resume, I collected CBD beauty products and made the decision to overhaul my current regimen with options that are decidedly more high-vibe. Here's what happened to my skin.
My CBD skin-care life
I procured CBD beauty products in every category, and for the most part succeeded minus a cleanser (I can't part with my fave). I decided this was enough to deduce the changes in my complexion if I swapped over to all CBD products. So for the couple of weeks during my CBD experiment, I retired my retinol, vitamin C serum, hyaluronic acid, and go-to face masks in lieu of those with the buzzy ingredient.
I opened the new Herbivore Emerald Glow Oil ($48), spiked with cannabis sativa seed oil and smothered it all over my face. It kind of smelled like weed, but absorbed nicely into my skin. Then for posterity's sake I layered up with the Khus Khus Sen Face Serum ($80), which had less of a scent but definitely added some soothing moisture to my face. For my eyes, I slathered on Gold Q Nighttime Eye Cream ($48). And then I moisturized my entire body with Lord Jones High CBD Body Lotion ($60), and puckered up with a Veritas Farms Whole Hemp Oil Lip Balm ($4).
I repeated this regimen for two straight weeks, and incorporated the Hora Overnight Exfoliating Mask ($62) twice a week as I slept. And let me tell you something: The results have been impressive. Honestly, I didn't think I'd notice much of a change (and TBH I was worried my skin would regress without my trusty retinol and HA serum), but I've been dealing with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and it's now noticeably faded. My skin's also been calm, even, and bright—no redness in sight. The CBD products have really kept things chill.
"The anti-inflammatory properties of CBD can help decrease itching and puffiness of skin, and even treat soreness of the skin," says Dr. Chi. It's true that my eyes have been less puffy in the morning, which just adds to the long list of reasons CBD's so amazing. And perhaps the best part of all? It's good for all skin types. Just be mindful of what type of product it is: "If it's an oil-based CBD product, stay away from it if you're very oily-skinned," notes Dr. Chi. Besides that, consider the cannabidiol to be a now permanent staple of my beauty shelf, in some form or another.
For more basic skin-care tips, here's how hard to scrub your face, according to a derm. And this is why hard vs. soft water for your skin actually matters.
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