The beauty industry has been working overtime lately, and if you’re as much of a sucker for skincare as we are, you might have noticed that CBD is really having its moment.
While innovation in the CBD skincare scene is something we can’t help but get excited about, the reality is that the introduction of unregulated cannabis-infused products into the Australian market has meant the world of CBD beauty can tend to get a little murky.
Being the largest organ in the human body, our skin deserves only the best, so we’ve put together this guide to help you traverse the complicated world of CBD skincare and steer clear of any unwanted side-effects.
The link between CBD and good skin has been born out of research that has demonstrated a number of benefits for users with inflammation-related skin conditions like rosacea, acne and dermatitis. But, a lack of clinical evidence has meant that despite promising signs, we don’t really understand the exact amount of CBD required for different skin types, or the risks of potential reactions.
What we do know about full-spectrum hemp oils is that, alongside a variety of wonderful cannabinoids, they also contain terpenes – a type of natural plant fragrances and oils that can be the cause of irritation for our friends with extra sensitive skin. Unfortunately, we aren’t seeing nearly enough transparency from skincare brands using unregulated cannabis ingredients, which can make the claims pushed by these companies a little hard to believe.
The rapid growth of the CBD skincare space means that some brands are getting away with some pretty suss marketing. As the regulation catches up with the industry, it is up to customers to demand transparency from skincare brands that use cannabis in their products. Specific claims should be backed by clear clinical evidence and any potential risks should be highlighted too. If you’re not sure about a new product that claims to contain cannabis, you can always request the Certificate of Analysis (COA) and a breakdown of all active cannabinoids and their percentages to help you make an informed decision.
Like any up-and-coming market, the rise of CBD skincare has given rise to the sale of products that don’t pass legal standards in Australia. Although the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has some pretty robust regulations in place when it comes to CBD products, that hasn’t stopped the growth of the black market, where potentially harmful CBD products can, and are, being sold.
Dodgy manufacturers have taken advantage of a lack of consumer knowledge, selling low-quality and sometimes dangerous CBD skincare products that may contain harmful substances, incorrect dosages, or even no CBD at all. No matter how good of a deal it may seem like, buying CBD products from unreliable sources is never a good idea, and could pose a risk to your skin’s health.
If you’re seeking the benefits of cannabis-based skincare in Australia, hemp-based products are a legal and widely available alternative. Hemp, including sativa seed oil, has long been permitted in Australian skincare products and has been embraced by various brands (and skincare fans) for its skin-loving benefits. While they’re not the same as CBD-infused products, hemp-based skincare can still provide a range of potential results, thanks to the rich omega fatty acids and antioxidants present in hemp seed oil. Our go-to brand is no other than Australian owned Cannabella.
So, while the future looks bright for CBD in the skincare industry, it’s worth taking any shiny marketing claim you see with a grain of salt. In the meantime, we’ll be staying tuned for more research on the glowing potential of CBD for our skin.
Read the studies here
Journal of Clinical Investigation (2014). “Cannabidiol exerts sebostatic and anti-inflammatory effects on human sebocytes.” https://www.jci.org/articles/view/64628
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