Unless you’ve been tuned out to the beauty world these last few months, odds are you’ve heard of an ingredient called CBD (short for cannabidiol). The buzzy ingredient, which, no, won’t get you high, even if ingested as an oral tincture or supplement, has now evolved into a bonafide skin-care trend, with brands offering a luxe spin on what used to be a highly niche category. “With an impressive and evergrowing number of studies finding CBD to be a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory among many other properties, it is now being used to treat pain, anxiety, spasms, and much more,” New York City-based aesthetician Jeannel Astarita tells Allure.
However, when compared to skin-care pillar ingredients like retinols and vitamin C, the research behind CBD’s efficacy in skin care (especially beyond the realms of being a temporary topical pain reliever) is still relatively in its infancy. “There is limited data to suggest that CBD may decrease oil production when applied topically,” says Joshua Zeichner, director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital, who explains that unlike marijuana, which contains psychoactive THC, hemp seed oil is a common source of naturally anti-inflammatory cannabinoids — which is what ends up in all of those lotions and potions. “Hemp seed oil also acts as an emollient to smooth rough cells on the skin’s surface and offers moisturizing benefits,” he adds.
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In this episode, we’re setting the record straight on one of the most polarizing ingredients out there. Learn what to search for when buying a CBD-infused product. (Runtime: 5 minutes)
So whether you love to slather your skin in serums or treat yourself to a 20-minute mask session, this trendy ingredient has found its way into virtually every step of our beauty regimens. Here, we present 17 CBD-infused skin-care products to add a hit of calm to your daily routine.
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