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CBD is a very controversial subject. Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a chemical compound found in hemp, which is why many are very skeptical of this product. However, it offers a number of potential health benefits.
There is evidence that CBD oil can be beneficial for acne and other skin conditions. CBD can be applied topically to the rash itself, as well as taken orally for long-term prevention.
In this article, we’re going to explain what CBD really is, what its potential health benefits are with regard to acne, and what side effects it can cause. In addition, we will explain what acne is and how you can treat it without resorting to medication.
The most important facts in brief
Acne is a skin disease and 80-90% of teenagers develop it during puberty. This disease is caused by an inflammation of the skin glands or hair follicles.
- CBD inhibits sebum production while having anti-inflammatory effects on fat-producing glands. Because of these effects, CBD may be a promising therapeutic agent in the treatment of acne.
- CBD has been found to be safe and has a good safety profile. However, a doctor should be consulted before using it during pregnancy or in combination with other medications.
CBD for acne: what you need to know
About 85% of French people suffer from acne at one time or another. Hardly any other disease affects as many people as acne. Unfortunately, the therapy starts much too late and the consequences manifest themselves in the form of scars. Le CBD, en revanche, est censé soulager l’acné. What CBD is and why it helps with acne, we want to answer in the next few questions.
What is acne?
Acne is a skin disease and 80-90% of teenagers develop it during puberty. This disease is caused by an inflammation of the skin glands or hair follicles. Typically, this skin condition causes pimples all over the body, but pustules, blackheads and nodules are also part of the repertoire of acne symptoms.
Fortunately, the evolution is very slight in 60% of cases, 40% of those affected require medical treatment. In fact, more boys than girls are affected by this condition and boys are more likely to develop a severe form of acne.
There are several other forms of acne, the most well-known manifestation of acne being acne vulgaris. There is also acne inversa, whose symptoms appear under the armpits and in the groin area. Another form is acne infantum, which occurs in newborns.
What causes acne?
There are four main causes of acne. We will list them and then explain them in more detail.
- Excess oil production
- Clogged hair follicles
- Bacteria
- Excessive activity of one type of hormone (androgens)
- The trigger for this skin disease is the increased production of sex hormones. This is where androgens, which are nothing more than male sex hormones, come into play.
Androgens trigger a change in the skin, which stimulates sebum production. This sebum is supposed to reach the skin’s surface through the sebaceous gland channel. In people with acne, the cells become keratinized so that the pores close and sebum can no longer flow out.
What are the symptoms of acne?
The more sebaceous glands an area of the body has, the higher the likelihood of getting acne in one of those areas. These areas include the face, neck, chest, back, upper arms and shoulders. Here we see an increase in symptomatic manifestations, which are highly variable and are expressed as follows:
- Blackheads (open and clogged pores)
- Small red bumps
- The buttons
- Large, firm, painful nodules under the surface of the skin.
- Painful, pus-filled pimples under the skin.
Acne is divided into three different types, which are classified according to the severity of the symptoms:
- Mild Acne: This mild form of the condition is characterized by blackheads. They usually appear on the face, the area around the nose being the most sensitive.
- Acne papulopustulosa: this form of acne can already cause acne scars to appear. Symptomatic manifestations of this form are pustules, nodules, pimples and papules. They appear mainly on the face, but the neck, back or arms can also be affected.
- Acne conglobata: This form of acne is mainly found in men and is also the most severe form of the disease. Numerous, large and painful nodules form. Even after the disease is gone, deep and visible scars remain. Anyone suffering from this form of acne should definitely consult a doctor.
Depending on the severity of the symptoms and the type of symptoms, therapy should be implemented to combat them.
What are the traditional therapies?
The market is flooded with products that are supposed to bring relief from… Most of the time, people try several products to get rid of the annoying symptoms.
Basically, the products can be divided into two categories. Fondamentalement, les produits peuvent être divisés en deux catégories. While external application usually involves applying creams, gels or ointments, the internal method involves taking medication.
What you should never do, however, is press the buttons yourself. This will lead to ugly acne scars on your face.
Conventional treatment with drugs
When you go to the doctor, a course of antibiotics is usually prescribed. It is important to clarify the association with creams with your doctor during treatment, as the combination of cream and antibiotics is not recommended for too long. Another option could be hormonal preparations, as acne is caused by hormonal changes.
Hormonal supplements take at least six months to take effect. The most effective medication for severe acne is retinoid. Unfortunately, the active ingredient can cause very serious side effects.
Retinoids are not an option during pregnancy.
Creams, gels and lotions
Poor skin care over-stimulates the skin more than it helps it to regenerate. Excessive or incorrect use of creams and cosmetics overloads the skin, which ultimately does not work against acne, but promotes it.
Greasy creams are, like makeup or sunscreens, aids to acne. Nevertheless, selected creams can counteract acne. Depending on your symptoms, you can choose any of these products, the important thing being that your skin reacts well to them and that you are not helping your acne more than your skin.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, belongs to the group of cannabinoids. Cannabinoids are active ingredients found mainly in the cannabis or hemp plant.
Since the medical and therapeutic relevance of CBD is known, manufacturers on the one hand, and the positive properties of cannabidiol proven after numerous studies on the other hand, are increasing. Cannabidiol as a substance is legal in France as well as in most other countries of the world.
How does CBD work?
CBD inhibits sebum production and at the same time has anti-inflammatory effects on the fat producing glands. Because of these effects, CBD could be a promising therapeutic agent in the treatment of acne.
CBD therapy for acne
Since the skin has many cannabinoid receptors, to which plant cannabinoids also dock and express their effects, CBD is considered a useful agent for fighting acne.
CBD can be used as a prime remedy for this skin condition.
As in conventional therapy, a distinction is made between internal and external measures. We would like to discuss these two measures.
Internal use: take CBD oil for acne.
CBD can be taken orally in the form of oil or capsules. In particular on our hormones, it shows a regulating effect. This is especially beneficial in the case of acne, as acne is caused by the hormone androgen.
With CBD oil, you simply have to take it drop by drop. CBD is best absorbed through the mucous membrane of the mouth, so you should always run the drops under the tongue.
As already mentioned, CBD has a relaxing effect on your hormones and therefore on your skin. In addition, CBD improves mood and serotonin levels, which leads to a beautiful complexion.
External use: CBD cream for acne
To treat acne externally with CBD, CBD creams, salves and oils are used. A CBD cream is recommended. You can also apply CBD oil to the skin. It is best to apply it directly to the pimples. Basically, it can be said that CBD can regulate sebum production and can therefore be considered an effective remedy for acne.
As with internal use, CBD has a very anti-inflammatory and soothing effect on the skin when used externally, so it may very well fight pimples and pustules or help prevent them.
Sebum production is controlled by the so-called endocannabinoid system. Therefore, CBD is considered a great way to combat the symptoms of excess oil in acne. In short, CBD stimulates CB2 receptors in the sebaceous gland. The anandamides then affect lipid synthesis and provide less sebum.
In principle, it is recommended to use the products 2 to 3 times a day. They have a soothing effect on the skin, free the pores and sebaceous glands and provide sufficient moisture.
How to successfully use CBD for acne?
You can apply CBD oil directly to the affected area or mix it with a carrier oil. If you have mixed it, you can apply it on the skin normally. However, it is important to choose a carrier oil that is well tolerated by your skin. These include:
- Coconut oil
- Olive oil
- Shea butter
- Argan oil
- Taking CBD orally can also sometimes help with acne. This is mainly due to the anti-inflammatory substances. However, using CBD directly on the skin promises more effective healing processes.
Are there any side effects to be expected?
CBD has been found to be safe and has a good safety profile. However, a doctor should be consulted before using it during pregnancy or in combination with other medications.
The most common side effects are fatigue, diarrhea and changes in appetite. However, it must be said that these side effects occur mostly when CBD is taken orally. However, if used topically, you may have an allergic reaction.
If you experience symptoms such as skin swelling, itching or peeling of the skin after using CBD products, wash the affected area with soap and water. In this case, stop using CBD products and talk to a dermatologist.
Conclusion
As you have seen in this article, CBD can be a very good option for acne. It is also recommended for mild acne, otherwise acne scars will remain on your facial skin for the rest of your life.
However, if you have acne problems, you should see your doctor first. He or she will review possible therapies with you and, if necessary, a CBD-based therapy can be agreed upon.
