CBD is popping up in everything: studies have shown that it can help the skin look more radiant and youthful and slow down the ageing process.

First things first: what does CBD mean?

CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a naturally-occurring chemical compound found in a type of cannabis plant that doesn’t have psychoactive effects, unlike THC- known for acting on the central nervous system and producing the feeling of getting “high”. Due to this difference, there is still a lot of confusion around the legal status of CBD in the United States and it can be an uphill battle with some political parties as it varies from state to state and depends on what you use it for.

That aside chances are, you know someone who uses CBD oil to ease anxiety like me! Or rubs their joints with CBD cream. That’s because it has been proved that CBD has moderate effects on several medical affections (such as inflammation, chronic pain or insomnia) and is a certainly calming substance.

Recently, it’s become widely available within the health and beauty industry: consumers, especially younger people, are demanding new products with innovative and more natural ingredients. As a result, the demand of CBD skincare products is rapidly increasing worldwide. As this emerging trend of this super-natural ingredient continues to grow, CBD is becoming a mainstay of many people’s skincare routines.

How to choose a CBD skincare product?

The market is filled with plenty of cannabis products, that’s why it’s very important to know how to choose the best one for your health which will also deliver the expected results.

Check the label when purchasing to make sure the ingredients list states “cannabidiol”. Some contain hemp seed oil or extract, and even though those have some vitamins and omega acids they are not the same as CBD oil.

Accordingly, if you are choosing a CBD product (Infographic) try researching a few different brands online which will help you to narrow down your options. There are some really exciting CBD products on the market nowadays so do not be afraid to compare a few different options when buying CBD.

Full-spectrum or broad-spectrum?

Again, check the label. Some brands advertise as being “full-spectrum” (or whole-plant CBD) or “broad spectrum”.

Full-spectrum CBD contains all the hemp plant’s natural and beneficial cannabinoids. The main difference is that full-spectrum extracts may contain trace amounts of THC (under 0.3%), while broad-spectrum have the THC completely removed.

Both are OK, you just need to choose wisely to get the benefits that you’re looking for.

It’s important to shop around and be certain that the product you choose is as THC free as possible and from a reputable company. Choose to buy CBD online through Laurelcrest or similar firms who can trace their products from the farm to the customer. A decent manufacturer will have documentation and licenses in place to ensure quality in every purchase.

CBD’s benefits for skin

CBD offers antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which can be beneficial in treating skin conditions like dryness and damage and slow down the visible signs of ageing. Also, it might be effective for conditions such as acne, psoriasis and eczema as it reduces the production of sebum and normalizes overactive sebaceous gland cells in the skin (one of the main causes of acne).

Are CBD skin products safe?

With an impressive and ever-growing number of studies, most skincare experts agree that CBD is a powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and slows the ageing process, among other properties, for all skin types. In that sense, it is considered safe to use CBD products into your skin, with few if any negative reactions to speak of.

There is no harm in continuing to use a CBD skincare product you already tried and like. Additionally, as CBD is known for its healing properties, there are many holistic benefits you can experience from using it. When added to bath treatments, for example, it sparks a gentle detox: you’ll enjoy a healthy glow.

Studies have shown that in most cases when a reaction from a CBD skincare product occurs, it’s likely not from CBD itself, but some other ingredient like a botanical. CBD skincare products are becoming increasingly popular for their properties and benefits, so much that they can now be found at major beauty retailers such as Ulta and pharmacies.

Including CBD into your daily routine could be a good idea. In fact, many celebrities have experienced the benefits of CBD products in their skin and started to endorse them. Some of CBDs biggest proponents are Kristen Bell, Gwyneth Paltrow and Jennifer Aniston. This is actually good news. Rising awareness about this super-powerful compound can finally break the stigma that was once associated with it.

Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.