Your skin is one of the most important organs in the human body so it’s no surprise that humans have been searching for different ways to protect and preserve the appearance of it. CBD may hold the key to solving both issues.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the many components found in cannabis. CBD has many functions in the human body. CBD has been found to address a variety of issues pertaining to the skin. To begin understanding exactly how CBD can slow the aging process in your skin we must first examine how the skin ages. There are many reasons why your skin ages, with the obvious reason being age. As you age you lose the ability to produce as much collagen, the main structural protein found in skin and other connective tissues, which provides the proteins needed to keep your skin firm. When you lose the collagen in your skin it becomes more easily broken as well as becoming thinner.

Sebaceous glands are microscopic exocrine glands in the skin that secrete an oily or waxy matter, called sebum, to lubricate and waterproof the skin. As you age these glands begin to produce less sebum, causing your skin to become drier than in your teens. Elastin, a highly elastic protein in connective tissue and allows many tissues in the body to resume their shape after stretching or contracting. Extrinsic aging is damage caused by environment as opposed to intrinsic aging which is a part of the natural aging process. Factors like smoke, exposure to pollutants, sun damage and a slew of lifestyle factors. Ninety (90%) percent of skin damage is due to extrinsic aging with external factors being the bulk of this damage. Factors such as sunlight thicken the outer layer of the skin causing the skin to appear leathery.

CBD is a component of cannabis and can help slow the aging process in multiple ways. Cannabis has potent antioxidants that are key to preventing the skin from environmental damage. Free radicals are the harmful compounds that antioxidants protect the skin from. Free radicals, like the suns UV rays, are harmful molecules that steal atomic resources from your cells and DNA causing damage to the skin cells. Although your skin does protect your organs from harmful bacteria it doesn’t protect the skin from most free radicals. It is also important to note that smoke is always a bad idea in skincare, but using vaporizers as well as ingesting CBD can address this issue. Some studies have shown CBD to be a more powerful antioxidant than vitamins C and E. With the discovery of the endocannabinoid system (ECS), a complex system of cannabinoid receptors indigenous to the human body, we have learned just how big of a role ECS plays in skin care. Upon learning the effects the ECS has on the skin, we have seen beneficial effect CBD has had on skin conditions like eczema and acne.

Cannabis in the form of Hemp has also shown great value in the fight against the aging of the skin. It is important to note that hemp does not induce the psychoactive effects of THC. Hemp can sometimes get mixed with marijuana because they are both apart of the cannabis family. Hemp currently is mostly used for commercial and industrial purposes because it is one of the world’s most durable natural soft fibers. Hemp can be used for clothing, plastic, food, rope, fuel and topical oils and creams among other uses. Hemp can be used as an alternative clean-burning fuel to fossil fuel. When it comes to the skin Hemp is full of vital vitamins and minerals that are important to healthy skin.

Lipids found in hemp oil are similar to those found in the skin, for that reason hemp is an important protectant and moisturizer. Ingestion of hemp oil as a supplement can help with thinning the blood helping to reduce varicose veins. Due to the high amounts of fatty acids in hemp, it is an effective treatment option in skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Vitamin A plays a vital role in bone growth, reproduction and immune system health. It also helps the skin and mucous membranes repel bacteria and viruses more effectively. Vitamin E, when ingested or used directly on the skin, can lower cholesterol, fight free radicals, prevent disease development, repair damaged skin, thickens hair, and balances hormones. Both Vitamin A and Vitamin E are found in Hemp.

Unfortunately, even with all the scientific data found on the benefits of cannabis, there is still so much we don’t understand about the medicinal qualities of cannabis. With cannabis still being federally illegal, it is difficult to test topical creams on human patients. As with most things we don’t understand it is important in learning about the medicinal uses to switch the conversation form condemnation to information and conversation.