How Is HEMP Oil Good for Skin? HEMP and Skin Care Studies

Are you noticing more skin issues as the weather gets warmer? If you’re experiencing increased acne from the sweaty weather, sunburns from your trips to the beach, or worries about wrinkles, you might want to take a look at new HEMP science.

The skincare industry is worth over 133 billion dollars now, but is expected to increase to 200 billion worldwide by 2026. The rise of the skincare industry shows just how much we all obsess about getting healthy, youthful, and beautiful skin by any means necessary.

As customers sift through the slew of skincare products on the market, many look for ones that protect against aging, remedy acne, redness, and irritation, or produce a perfectly flawless look. Could HEMP be one of those skincare key ingredients? New research points to the use of HEMP-derived cannabidiol in combination with other ingredients as a possible choice for skincare consumers. Here, we explore two studies that looked at potential HEMP skin benefits.

Study #1: The Effects of a Novel Retinol and Cannabidiol Combination Topical on Facial Skin

This first study evaluated the effects of cannabidiol, a compound derived from HEMP plants, in tandem with retinol, a popular anti-aging and anti-acne treatment. Retinol is an in-demand topical product for acne and aging, but it’s also well-known for its side effects. People on retinol often notice irritation, redness, and dryness - effects that typically lessen over time but are initially noticeable.

The study's authors focused their research on whether the cannabidiol could mitigate those irritating effects, hypothesizing that the compound would offer the potential ability to "reduce oxidative stress and inflammation," thereby soothing skin from the side effects of the retinol. Along with that, they also theorized that the addition of cannabidiol would promote the improvement of the skin's appearance due to these factors.

The study’s participants were 10 adults (one male and nine female) with “facial skin imperfections” such as wrinkles, visible pores, and skin roughness. For the 42-day trial, the participants applied a cannabidiol-Retinol serum on the face according to the study protocol.

At the end of the study, the authors concluded that the cannabidiol-Retinol serum improved skin quality with only minor irritation, pointing to the combined effects of the cannabidiol and retinol as the source of the overall results and cannabidiol as the cause of the low-irritation.

Notably, the cannabidiol topicals used in this study were formulated with Water-Soluble cannabidiol: cannabidiol made with a Nano-Emulsification process that improves bioavailability and absorption. The bioavailability of regular cannabidiol products is famously low because of the fat-solubility of the compound, reaching only 6%-10% bioavailability. That low bioavailability makes it difficult for the compound to absorb and enact effects in the body. Using a Nano-Emulsification process, Water-Soluble cannabidiol products are able to offer much higher bioavailability (up to 85%-95%), giving them faster and more powerful absorption.

Study #2: Cannabidiol Sunscreen Protects Keratinocytes and Melanocytes Against Ultraviolet B Radiation

A second study, published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology in 2020, assessed how a sunscreen made with cannabidiol affected keratinocytes and melanocytes, two types of skin cells. Beginning by noting the limited research on cannabidiol sunscreens, the study declared an intention of evaluating how cannabidiol might work in a sun protectant topical product, building upon other studies about the potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Keratinocytes, responsible for keratin production, are a cell type that prevents damage to the skin by forming a physical barrier between it and its environment. Similarly, melanocytes are responsible for the production of melanin, and also protect against UV damage. It is well-known that sun exposure causes damage to the skin. That damage includes UV light's production of cell death, specifically of keratinocytes, and can also extend to the DNA of melanocytes.

This study looked at cannabidiol's effect on "keratinocyte and melanocyte viability following ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation." Its findings reported that cannabidiol had protective effects on the abilities of both cell types, potentially because of a "reduction in reactive oxygen species."

More research is needed to confirm and progress with these findings. However, this may point to good news for people using sun-protective products that incorporate cannabidiol.

Conclusion

It would be inaccurate to make any claims about the true efficacy of cannabidiol in skincare products based on these studies. However, these exciting findings may pave the way for future studies on cannabidiol in skincare. Extensive research is needed to confirm this, and consumers should always stay vigilant for brands that make claims about the ability of their HEMP-derived cannabidiol topicals to care for any issues.

HEMP products are not intended to prevent, cure, or treat any illnesses or conditions, including topical skincare issues.

If you’re interested in HEMP topical oil skincare, make sure you work with third-party tested products made with all-natural ingredients. Explore a collection of HEMP topicals that employ the power of natural ingredients studied for their beneficial effects, like vitamin B5, hyaluronic acid, and Coenzyme Q10 at Science-Rite HEMP.

Sources

• Fortune Business Insights: The Global Skincare Market Is Projected to Grow from $100.13 Billion in 2021 to $145.82 Billion in 2028 at a Cagr of 5.52% in Forecast Period, 2021-2028
• Aesthetic Surgery Journal: A Single-Center Study Evaluating the Effects of a Novel Retinol and Cannabidiol Combination Topical on Facial Skin
• Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology: Novel Cannabidiol Sunscreen Protects Keratinocytes and Melanocytes Against Ultraviolet B Radiation
• Photochemistry and Photobiology: The Protective Role of Melanin Against UV Damage in Human Skin
• Molecular and Cellular Biology: Differential Role of Basal Keratinocytes in UV-Induced Immunosuppression and Skin Cancer
• Yale School of Medicine: Sunlight continues to Damage Skin in the Dark