How can CBD help in the fight against acne?

It's no secret that CBD has become highly sought-after in recent years, thanks to its potential benefits and effects on the human body. With so many applications in daily life, this has, of course, led to cannabidiol becoming a very prominent ingredient in a whole range of beauty products, skin creams, oils, and capsules. But can CBD help in soothing and treating skin conditions such as acne?

What is acne?

Acne vulgaris is a common skin condition caused by hair follicles becoming clogged with dead skin cells and oil. This irritates the skin and produces whiteheads, pimples, and blackheads. Although we tend to think it only affects teenagers, acne can impact people of all ages.

Acne can be found almost anywhere on the body, with the most commonly affected areas being the face, back, neck, and shoulders. While the most common blemishes are the aforementioned whiteheads and blackheads, other types of lesions, such as papules, pustules, nodules, and cysts, can occur due to inflammation.

So, what exactly causes acne? Essentially, it is the overproduction of sebum. Secreted by the sebaceous glands located in hair follicles, sebum is an oily substance that is naturally required by the skin for lubrication. However, too much of this oil can cause a buildup in pores and dead skin accumulation.

Several factors can trigger the overproduction of sebum. These include hormonal changes (such as puberty), medication such as birth control, and even refined carbohydrates. However, it is a longstanding myth that a person's hygiene or consumption of greasy foods will have an influence on acne. Like most health-based issues, it really depends on a person's constitution and genetics.

How to get rid of acne

The appearance of acne is sure to be concerning for all of those impacted, especially those in their teenage years, where a lot of emphasis and pressure can be placed on appearance. So, what can a person do if they have acne, and how can it be treated?

There are many preventative measures one can take to stave off acne and its effects. These can be simple actions such as showering after exercise, maintaining a healthy diet, reducing stress, and washing the face twice per day (without over-cleansing). All can have a potential impact on the severity of acne.

However, it should come as little surprise that there are pharmacy and store-bought treatments for acne as well. These can be administered either externally, via topical creams and oils, or internally, via antibiotic tablets. But each will be prescribed depending on severity and need.

The increasing popularity of CBD

CBD's presence and influence can be felt throughout modern life, with many users choosing to take cannabidiol daily to experience its potential benefits. From gummies to oils, there's a method of administering CBD that's suitable for all. But how does CBD work with the body?

The endocannabinoid system is essentially the gateway in which all cannabinoids interact with the body. CB1 and CB2, its two main receptors, are located throughout the body and exist on the membranes of many cell types.

Although CBD doesn’t bind to these receptors directly, it alters their binding efficacy or otherwise influences the endocannabinoid system as a whole.

CBD is renowned for its possible immunomodulatory, neuroprotective, and soothing properties, as well as a host of other benefits. As such, it should come as no surprise that CBD has fast become a popular choice among those looking to benefit their well-being. Over recent years, CBD has become one of the shining ingredients in cosmetic and beauty products, including those directed at acne.

CBD for acne

So, how does CBD factor into acne treatment? There has yet to be comprehensive clinical trials on CBD’s direct efficacy for acne, but we can look to preclinical studies on CBD’s potential to reduce the causes or triggers of acne.

A preclinical study^[1] carried out at the University of Debrecen in Hungary trialled CBD in the treatment of acne. Specifically, endocannabinoids and CBD were administered to human cell lines to determine their effects on lipid production, as lipids play a large role in clogging up skin pores.

Although applying endocannabinoids in isolation caused an upregulation of lipid production by stimulating the CB2 receptor, when CBD was applied after the endocannabinoids, they were unable to produce lipid synthesis on all cell lines. This led the researchers to believe that CBD inhibits lipid synthesis, especially if the cells were previously upregulated.

CBD purportedly achieves this effect not by targeting cannabinoid receptors, but rather by influencing ion channels expressed on sebocytes (sebum-producing cells). The study also expressed that the potential immunomodulatory effects of CBD might contribute to the treatment of acne, as the skin condition often produces highly inflamed spots.

CBD cream for acne

Topical creams are often the first port of call for those suffering from acne. Creams act to soothe the skin, provide relief, and hinder further inflammation. CBD has been shown to penetrate the skin readily, making it a great inclusion in topical creams and oils.

One such product from Cibdol that will provide outstanding skin care is Aczedol. This specially formulated topical salve acts to alleviate the itch and burning sensations associated with acne. With premium-quality ingredients, this Class 1 medical device contains colloidal oatmeal, which supports and protects irritated skin with a supportive layer.

Colloidal oatmeal also acts as a milder cleanser for the skin, as oats contain saponins—chemicals that work to rinse away grease and oil, much like soap. It can also assist in reducing bacteria and decreasing redness and inflammation.

Of course, Aczedol is primed to work well on its own to combat the effects of acne. However, it's the presence of CBD that really puts the icing on the cake. Containing CBD-rich Cannabis sativa extract, this specially crafted formula protects fragile and sensitive skin affected by acne. To experience the soothing benefits of this salve, Aczedol is available to purchase right now from the Cibdol store.

Aczedol (Acne cream)

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CBD oil for acne

Of course, it's not just topical creams that are used to get a dose of CBD. Many are turning to CBD oils and capsules to boost their daily well-being. As mentioned, when it comes to treating acne, there are two schools of thought; external and internal methods. While topical creams work to soothe the effects of acne at the source, can consuming CBD oil or capsules help to treat from within?

Ingesting CBD will deliver the immunomodulatory effects of the cannabinoid on a systemic level, as opposed to providing local effects like topical creams. It's for this reason that CBD oils and capsules may not provide the most efficient way to treat acne at this moment. This is not to say that consuming CBD won't have any positive impact on a person's condition.

Although in its infancy, there is extensive research being carried out into CBD’s efficacy against acne. The future of CBD as a method of soothing the skin is surely a bright one, as more trials and studies continue to discover new findings.

If you're interested in trying Aczedol or CBD oil for yourself, why not head over to the Cibdol store for an incredible selection of cannabinoid-infused products? Or, if you want to learn more about the power of CBD for the skin, search our extensive **CBD Encyclopedia.