Trending Ingredient: CBD

By: Alexis Atkins of afrotouille.com

Does your beauty routine include CBD oil? I’m sure you never thought you’d hear both “beauty” and “CBD” oil mentioned in the same breath but this cannabis-derived oil is the latest “it” ingredient for all things beauty and wellness.

Praised for its anti-inflammatory and stress-relieving properties, CBD oil is becoming a natural alternative to the harsh chemicals often found in topical beauty products. But, that’s not to say there isn’t a huge debate about the legality of using and selling these products in mass markets.

If you haven't jumped onto the CBD bandwagon or are curious about how CBD may benefit you, we are breaking down everything you need to know about this controversial ingredient.

What is CBD oil?

Cannabidiol, better known as CBD, is one of the cannabinoids found in the marijuana plant, Cannabis Sativa. Traditionally, when we think about cannabis we think about it being smoked or inhaled. We also associate cannabis with creating a “high” feeling or it’s psychoactive properties caused by tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as THC. CBD, however, does not have THC which is one of the main reasons major companies are so vested in this oil as a groundbreaking advancement in wellness.

Unlike cannabis, CBD is generally produced as an oil that can be applied directly to the skin or as some type of edible form like gel capsule, gummy bear or syrup. Not only does this make it easier for people dealing with chronic pain to use it but they can also have significant relief without feeling lethargic or strung out.

What are the CBD benefits?

New benefits of CBD are rapidly being discovered every day. These discoveries span a wide spectrum, ranging from curing skin rashes to reducing the symptoms of chronic diseases.

Recent research studies have found supporting evidence that CBD oil can:

Alleviate Pain: CBD has been shown to reduce pain experienced by cancer patients, people with arthritis and people that have epilepsy.

Reduce Anxiety and Depression: Seen as a natural way to combat anxiety and depression, CBD has been used in place of medication and has shown a positive effect on patients.

Reduce Acne: CBD oil not only has anti-inflammatory benefits, but it's also considered an antioxidant. CBD can reduce the redness, swolleness and pain often associated with acne. Plus, it can protect the skin from free radical damage.

Additionally, CBD oil has had positive effects on sleeping disorders, Parkinson’s, diabetes, psoriasis, schizophrenia, multiple sclerosis and ADHD.

What’s the big controversy?

Although researchers and beauty giants are excited about the benefits of CBD, the government seems to be on the defense. The main issue is whether or not CBD is legal even though it’s derived from the Cannabis sativa plant. As mentioned earlier, CBD does not have psychoactive properties but sometimes there can be traces of THC in the oil depending on how it’s processed.

If the oil is extracted from industrial hemp and has less than 0.3% of THC then it’s considered hemp. If it has more than 0.3%, it becomes categorized as cannabis which means it cannot be sold in states that have banned.

To add more confusion to the mix, CBD oil is actually unregulated. Essentially, anyone can label their products as CBD but it could be traditional hemp seed oil infused with CBD isolate or the pure form of CBD.

What are the risks?

Natural or not, it’s important to keep in mind that ingredients react differently from person to person. Research for the effects of CBD oil is limited. Most studies are related to the cannabis plant’s medicinal and recreational uses and not directly focused on CBD. If you have questions, speak to a healthcare professional about your concerns. However, most healthcare specialists consider CBD oil to be of low-risk.

Common side effects reported by Healthline that have been reported in connection to the use of CBD oil include:

Diarrhea
Changes in appetite
Fatigue
Interference with other medications

How can I include CBD in my beauty routine?

The easiest way to incorporate CBD into your beauty routine is by using a body balm. Not only is it low-risk because you don’t have to ingest it but you also don't lose any of its amazing benefits.

Dihiya, an all-natural brand available in the BLK + GRN marketplace, has made the perfect gentle balm to solve all of your beauty needs. Infused with 100mg of CBD, Dihiya’s lightweight Biru Balm soothes and repairs damaged skin. One of the biggest benefits of this beauty balm is that it uses full-spectrum CBD. Unlike CBD isolate, full-spectrum utilizes the benefits of the entire cannabis plant and not just the CBD compound which makes it more effective in improving target skin issues.

In conjunction with nourishing plant botanicals, the Biru Balm has been shown to:

Soothe problem skin and acne
Prevent the signs of aging
Relieve pain including sore muscles, joint pain and menstrual cramps
Calm anxiety and insomnia
Boost collagen and cell renewal
Increase skin hydration

To use, simply apply the balm to the desired area as needed.

Have you tried CBD oil before? Share your experience with us in the comments below.