CBD and Your Skin: Benefits for Eczema, Tips for Use, and How to Choose the Right Products

Does CBD belong in your skincare routine? If you regularly experience symptoms of eczema, more and more experts are starting to suggest that it could be the next big go-to super ingredient for topically treating the skin.

Here is how it works and what you need to know:

What is CBD? As you may or may not already know, cannabidiol (or CBD) is a natural botanical extract derived from hemp plants. For some time now, CBD has proven itself to be an effective component in many medicinal remedies and treatments. However, in more recent years, it has also made its way into the spotlight as an ingredient in topical skin care formulas. As it continues to become more mainstream and more people discover its numerous benefits, it’s pretty safe to say that CBD is more than just a trend and is here to stay. This is great news for anyone with eczema, as it can be especially helpful for addressing a number of common eczema symptoms.

What are the benefits of CBD for eczema?

Benefit #1: CBD is anti-inflammatory- One of the primary reasons CBD works so well for the skin and eczema in particular is that it naturally helps to reduce and combat inflammation. Its ability to calm and soothe the skin makes it a great choice for alleviating signs of irritation or discomfort including itching, redness, and painful patches.

Benefit #2: CBD is nourishing, moisturizing, and hydrating - Rich in essential fatty acids that are easily recognized by the skin, CBD is also great for helping to address issues that contribute to eczema flare ups, such as dry or depleted skin. It can even be helpful for reinforcing and strengthening the skin’s natural barrier, which commonly becomes compromised in sensitive skin.

Benefit #3 CBD is helpful for promoting healing- Besides the initial relief that CBD is able to provide for struggling skin, it is additionally beneficial for encouraging overall healing. By helping address some of the root causes that contribute to eczema including inflammation, infection, and damage to the skin, experts say it may have a cumulative effect of reducing outbreaks altogether.

How to choose the right CBD products for your skin Although it may seem like a win-win, if you are looking to start using CBD for your eczema, there are still a few important things to be aware of when shopping for a topical serum, tincture, or cream.

For starters, you will want to look for a brand that is transparent about plant sourcing and meeting industry quality control standards. Most reputable brands should be able to cite that they have received proper certification from a third party agency or organization that performs lab analysis.

From there, products should also clearly disclose information about potency of active ingredients. CBD is typically measured in milligrams, but dosage can vary greatly from formula to formula. Currently the FDA has no established guidelines around this, so you will want to pay close attention to this information and follow any instructions provided for usage.

Additionally, understanding that eczema is a skin condition that can be reactive to additives such as fragrance or synthetic chemicals, you’ll want to review any other ingredients in the product to check for potential irritants. That said, CBD does combine well with skin-soothing components like aloe vera, hyaluronic acid, and other eczema-friendly ingredients, so choosing a formula with those included could be a great option.

How to incorporate CBD skincare If you are new to CBD products, it’s always a good idea to start out with a formula that contains a lower concentration of active ingredients. Once you’ve chosen a product, it may still be advisable to perform a simple patch test, by applying it to a small area and allowing it to absorb over a period of time. If your skin shows no signs of irritation, you can then apply more to the desired areas.

In the beginning once per day may be enough to experience the benefits. Then, once you’ve determined how your skin reacts, you can opt to use it more often, or just as needed.