Before we dive into the science behind CBD's effect on skin problems, it's essential to understand the difference between blemished skin and acne. Although similar, they are separated by one key factor; acne includes an imbalance of the cutibacterium acnes bacteria on top of other following factors for impure skin, which are inflammation, excess sebum production and hyperkeratinization. We will now go into more detail about all these factors.
What is CBD?
CBD is extracted from the leaves of the hemp plant and belongs to the group of cannabinoids, which are natural chemical compounds in the cannabis family. The human body also produces its own cannabinoids, called endocannabinoids. These and the plant-based cannabinoids such as CBD interact with the body's endocannabinoid system , which aims to maintain balance in the body - including the body's largest organ: the skin.
Does CBD work against impure skin and acne?
A large research group has published a Scientific article in the National Library of Medicine, where there are findings that CBD can address 3 of the 4 primary main causes of impure skin and acne. These four, as mentioned above, involve (1) inflammation, (2) excess sebum production, (3) hyperkeratinization and a (4) imbalance in the cuti bacterium acnes bacteria.
What is inflammation?
Inflammation is characterized as the body's defense mechanism against damage and foreign substances. When the skin is exposed to certain irritants, the immune system can react with inflammation, which can manifest as redness and swelling. This process is essential for healing, but excessive or persistent inflammation can contribute to blemished skin and acne.
CBD is best known for its anti-inflammatory properties and the researchers point to several studies that support this argument. CBD's anti-inflammatory effect is thought to be due to its interaction with the body's endocannabinoid system, which plays a role in regulating inflammation and immune response. So CBD can have a positive effect on the first of the 4 primary causes behind impure skin and acne.
What is sebum overproduction?
An overproduction of sebum is most often expressed in individuals with oilier skin. Overproduction of sebum can thus be hereditary, but can also be linked to stress, or due to fluctuations in hormone levels in the body (which is also the reason why impurities are very common in young people during puberty).
To this point, the mentioned researchers again refer to how the human skin is strongly connected by the endocannabinoid system . The primary function of this system is to create balance in the body through receptors that facilitate communication between different systems in the body. As a cannabinoid, CBD can naturally activate these receptors and thereby help regulate skin functions - including normalizing the production of oil and sebum.
What is hyperkeratinization?
With hyperkeratinization, the normal scaling of the skin is interrupted, as a result of an excess of keratin in the skin. Normally, the skin will naturally force dead skin cells out through the hair follicles (primarily due to growing hair), but when excess keratin builds up in the skin, the dead skin cells bind together. This association of cells will block the hair follicle or clog the sebum/oil duct and thus create pimples in the skin.
Here, the previously mentioned researchers refer to a secondary study , published in the Journal of Dermatological Science, which argues that CBD can also positively affect this particular process, through its normalizing effect on the skin's cell renewal and ability to reduce the overproduction of skin cells.
What is Cuti Bacteria Acne?
Bacteria are inevitable in the skin's microbiome, but they are also necessary. Cuti Bacterium acne is the main bacteria involved in acne. It is a bacterium that is present in the sebaceous glands of all individuals, and there are different types. It is a saprophytic bacterium, i.e. it feeds on decomposing organic matter such as tallow.
In the case of acne, some types of Cuti Bacterium acnes disappear, while others become predominant. This loss of equal distribution is an initial driver of dysbiosis. At the same time, other bacteria flare up and increase the imbalance in the microbiome.
Lehlohonolo Makhakhe points out in his scientific article from 2022 that CBD may potentially contain antibacterial properties that can fight staphylococci that are resistant to antibiotics. However, CBD's antibacterial properties are still being researched, which is why it cannot yet be emphasized whether CBD has a direct effect on Cutibacterium Acne.
Conclusion:
According to the researchers' scientific articles, CBD can have a positive effect on all 3 factors underlying impure skin, as well as 3 out of 4 factors behind acne. It can therefore be assessed with relatively high certainty that CBD has a potential positive effect on impure skin. However, it is more difficult to conclude whether CBD can fight acne on its own, as there is still uncertainty about the cannabinoid's effect on Cuti Bacterium Acnes.
Has anyone else experienced positive effects using CBD skin care for impure skin?
Yes! NatureCell has a large number of positive customer cases of Danes who have received help against impure skin. Below you can see 2 different before/after pictures of customers who have achieved great results in a short time.
What products should I use against impure skin?
We recommend that you get a daily routine of CBD care and mild cleansing. This involves, as a minimum, the use of either a CBD Day Cream or a CBD Night Cream , and that you clean your face every evening with a CBD Cleansing Gel , which is mild and gentle on your skin. Whether you choose a Day Cream or a Night Cream is up to your own preference in relation to when during the day you prefer to use your cream.
To get an even stronger effect, we further recommend that you give your skin a CBD boost with our CBD skin care oil . This is placed on your skin before your Day Cream or Night Cream . However, if you have very oily skin, you may need to cut this step when you start your use of CBD and possibly start using CBD skin care oil when your sebum production has normalized a bit (e.g. 1-2 weeks after the start of creams and cleansing gels).
You can order our starter package and save up to 20%. Here you can choose for yourself whether you want the starter pack with day cream (save 17%) or the starter pack with night cream (save 20%) .