We find out how Hemp and CBD have influenced the beauty industry.
Chief executive officer of New Laboratories Rohan Widdison explains how Hemp and CBD works in skincare and why it’s influencing the beauty industry.
In Australia, CBD was only approved for over-the-counter availability at our pharmacies on 1 February 2021.
So, for Australian skincare product manufacturers our CBD product journey is just starting while we await regulatory approval. In the future we expect more and more brands to look at introducing CBD into their product line and bring out effective CBD-based dermatological formulations.
In regard to hemp products, the range will continue to grow as the benefits of hemp are just too great.
Can you explain a little about the science behind hemp and why CBD is so good for skincare?
“Firstly, I’d just like to clarify that we’re talking about two different products when it comes to Cannabidiol, known as CBD, and hemp.
Whilst CBD and hemp are both derived from the same plant, the two are actually different. Cannabidiol or ‘CBD’ is extracted from the flowers, leaves and buds of the Cannabis sativa plant and hemp is extracted from the seeds of the plant.
To-date, many products on the market have been incorrectly marketed and labelled as CBD hemp oil/serum, or hemp oil with CBD and many consumers have been misinformed into thinking their hemp products contain CBD due to lack of transparency from companies.
In regard to the science behind why CBD is so good for skincare, what a lot of people may not know is that the human body has its own endocannabinoid system (ECS).
We also have ECS receptors that are found in both the central nervous system and the immune system, and apart from helping manage pain, these receptors work in many ways that result in better skin health. In particular, research shows that the ECS system maintains skin homeostasis and the release of keratins, control of inflammation and reduction of premature aging are controlled by our ECS system.
The reason why cannabinoid-based dermatological formulations work so well in skincare is because they dovetail into this ECS system, promote better functioning, and aid our ECS system in its tasks of releasing keratins, controlling inflammation and reducing premature aging.
For its ability to work on the ECS system’s receptors in an effective way, is one of the reasons why CBD is becoming so popular.”
Rohan explains that CBD is also loaded with antioxidants such as vitamin C and E, which are both potent and beneficial for the skin, as they work to reduce the impact of free radicals on your skin.
With free radicals reduced, the adverse impact on skin – the damage done to it and the appearance of signs of aging, such as dark spots, fine lines, wrinkles, also slows down. Further damage to the skin is avoided because the antioxidants keep free radicals away.
And that’s not all. CBD when combined with Hemp in skincare, it provides essential fatty acids such as Omega 6 and 3, both of which help promote the production of collagen. Collagen helps keep the skin elastic, youthful, as well as hydrated.
All important factors in skincare.
With so many brands now launching their own version of hemp skincare, what are some examples of research and science behind how hemp and CBD in skincare is beneficial for the skin?
“According to the National Eczema Association, CBD has ‘measurable’ anti-pain, anti-itch, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial properties that can prove to be very beneficial for skin diseases, especially atopic dermatitis. In a human trial for patients with atopic dermatitis, an endocannabinoid cream improved severity of itch and loss of sleep by an average of 60 percent among subjects.
Another study has found that CBD is also effective in the treatment of acne due to is effectiveness in regulating and reducing oil production. Acne occurs when excess oil accumulates along with dirt and dead skin cells as it clogs the pores of the skin.
This leads to bacteria build-up and causes skin infections that emerge as painful red eruptions and blemishes.
To eliminate acne, what is needed is a formulation that can get rid of the bacteria and also soothe the inflamed skin in which research shows that CBD will be effective in doing.
In an article published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, it shows that CBD-based lotions and creams may be very effective in eliminating acne. The analysis showed that CBD not only has a soothing effect on the inflamed skin while reducing the inflammation, but it also reduces the oil production and restores the oil balance.
Again, CBD products seem to have a dual impact on this skin condition.
One, they address the root cause, which is the overproduction of oil and two, they address the symptoms of the inflamed skin. With this two-pronged approach, CBD works very well to provide quick relief from acne symptoms as well as the skin problem itself.
In regard to hemp seed oil, it is a wonderful addition to any skin cream or balm because of the high concentration of Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids. It is also known for not clogging pores and providing superior moisture, to keep the skin looking and feeling supple”.
What do you think is next in the future for Hemp and CBD in skincare, the next evolutionary step?
“According to a Global CBD Skincare Market 2020 – 2024 report, the CBD skincare market is poised to grow by US 1.64 bn dollars during 2020 – 2024, with one of the major drivers for this market being the benefits of CBD in skincare.
With CBD relatively new territory though, I think further research still needs to be conducted in terms of long-term health effects of CBD in skincare products and assess feedback on a regulatory level”.
