In the past decade, few ingredients have taken the beauty and skincare industry by storm quite like CBD.

Once upon a time, hemp-derived products were an obscure niche market, found only in a handful of holistic lines. But in recent years, CBD has made its way into the mainstream, appearing in everything from hand creams, to hydrating masks, and inspiring some of the industry's leading brands to launch entire collections spotlighting it as a key ingredient.

More excitingly, the momentum doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon. As more consumers discover CBD’s ability to deliver real results, it is becoming even more popular, and is being embraced as an everyday beauty essential.

As a brand that’s been working with hemp-derived ingredients from the beginning, Eossi Beauty is proud to feature CBD in all of our favorite products, and we can attest to just how incredible it is as a skincare component. So what’s all the buzz about? Here’s the full scoop:

CBD Basics: The How and Why Behind Hemp-Derived Ingredients

With the easing of regulations around cannabis and the passage of legislation such as the 2018 Farm Bill, the hemp industry has become a robust entity, with CBD products hitting multiple markets, including the beauty and skincare category. Even so, many people remain confused as to how CBD products are created and how they work.

In the simplest terms, CBD or cannabidiol, is a natural chemical compound from cannabis plants, but is not the same thing as THC, the psychoactive component in cannabis. CBD does not produce any mind-altering effects but rather has potent botanical properties, which have been studied to have positive benefits for the body and skin.

Understanding this, formulators of beauty and skincare products are now able to harness these particular properties by extracting seed oils from hemp plants, as well as combining CBD from the leaves of the plant with other oil ingredients. When applied topically, CBD and hemp oil work just like any other plant-based ingredient, targeting and treating numerous skin concerns.

The Cannabinoid Advantage: Seven Benefits of Using CBD In Skincare

Benefit #1: CBD is anti-inflammatory – One of the most well known aspects of CBD is its ability to combat inflammation, which is a primary root cause of many skin issues, including acne, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, redness, reactivity, dryness, and irritation. When applied topically, it is capable of quickly minimizing symptoms of inflammatory conditions, due to the many cannabinoid receptors that exist naturally in our skin.

Benefit #2: CBD promotes a youthful complexion – As an age management ingredient, hemp has a lot to offer. The oil’s ability to deeply nourish and hydrate, addresses concerns such as dullness, dryness, fine lines, and depleted the skin. It’s also full of antioxidants, which protect the skin against UV damage including dark spots, and the breakdown of fundamental fibers like collagen and elastin.

Benefit #3: CBD is enriched with nutrients skin loves – Even if you aren’t looking to address any specific concerns with your skincare, CBD can still be a great addition for encouraging overall healthy skin, due to its. It’s packed with proteins, flavonoids, vitamins A, B, C, and E, as well as minerals like beta carotene, zinc and magnesium.

Benefit #4: CBD is intensely moisturizing – For anyone who has a dry skin type or struggles with transepidermal water loss as a result of dry climate, hemp-derived oils are an amazing go-to. Their rich fatty acid content lends to them being easily recognized and utilized by the skin, helping to promote better overall moisture retention and keep the skin feeling replenished for longer periods of time.

Benefit #5: CBD helps balance oil production – If you have a combination or oily skin type, and experience excess oiliness, it can actually be highly beneficial to add an oil like CBD to your routine. Although many people with oily skin tend to fear oil-based formulas, feeding your skin with a high quality plant-based oil can work in your favor, as it trains the skin to regulate production cycles and produce less oil over time.

Benefit #6: CBD supports sensitive skin – Because CBD is gentle, plant-based, and isn’t known to irritate the skin, it makes an excellent choice for sensitive skin types. Besides addressing inflammation in real time with its calming and soothing properties, consistent use of a hemp-derived oil can aid in strengthening the skin barrier, translating to decreased reactivity and fewer flare ups.

Benefit #7: CBD can improve acne – For many of the reasons we’ve already outlined, CBD skincare is highly effective for treating acne, by addressing its root causes and symptoms. Knowing that acne and breakouts stem from a combination of inflammation and excess oil in the skin, CBD can be used to target these concerns. It’s also been found to possess antibacterial qualities, which can help target acne-causing bacteria on the surface of the skin.

Other Important Things To Know: Frequently Asked Questions About CBD Skincare

• What is the best way to use CBD in your beauty routine?

Another perk of CBD as an ingredient is that it is very versatile and can be utilized in a variety of formula types, for just about every step in the skincare routine. At Eossi, we include hemp-derived CBD in oil blends for both the face and body, as well as our cleanser, under eye cream, and all over balm.

• How can I determine that a CBD skincare product is safe?
  In order to determine that CBD ingredients in your products are of the highest quality and come from a trustworthy source, we highly recommend checking to verify that the brand has a COA, otherwise known as a certificate of analysis. The COA ensures that a product has been third-party tested for safety, and also contains valuable information regarding the specific active components. In most cases, you can find this information on a company’s website. To learn more about Eossi’s CBD ingredients, be sure to check out our COAs under the page tab labeled “Testing.”
  
  
• What are some other important things to look for in a CBD product?

Because not all CBD beauty products are created equal, it’s also a great idea to check out the ingredient list to see what other components are featured in the formula. Hemp-derived oils are very versatile for blending with other botanical oils, butters, and extracts, and these additional ingredients can really enhance the benefits of the CBD.  

For example, rosehip seed oil makes a great addition for targeting aging concerns, while oils like squalane are great for addressing acne. We also love argan oil as an additive to help boost skin hydration levels and support balance in the skin.

• How often should you use formulas that contain CBD?
  In most cases, hemp-derived CBD is very gentle and easily-tolerated by all skin types, meaning you can use it daily or even twice daily. Of course, as with any new ingredient you introduce into the routine, you may find it helpful to start with just one application per day in the beginning to test the waters and see how your skin reacts.

As long as you don’t experience any irritation from using the product, you can then use it as often as you prefer. We also recommend using products consistently, in order to reap the full benefits of the active ingredients.