Acne is a four-letter word to most everyone. It’s the most common skin ailment. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), about 80% of people between the ages of 11 and 30 have outbreaks of acne at least occasionally. For some people, however, the disorder continues to rear its ugly head into their 40s and 50s.
Acne is a disease of the pilosebaceous units (PSUs), which are found just under the skin and contain sebaceous glands that are connected to hair follicles. The sebaceous glands empty onto the skin via hair follicles. When the glands become overactive (because of hormones and other factors), blockages of sebum and dead skin cells happen. That, in turn, triggers an immune reaction, which causes inflammation and sometimes infection.
Although acne is not usually a serious health condition, it can cause significant emotional distress and permanent scarring of the skin. Fortunately, products with cannabidiol (CBD) can help. Research has concluded that CBD can be beneficial for various skin problems, including acne.
1. Helps Regulate Skin Functions
CBD penetrates the skin readily and affects the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). Besides the ECS’ role in regulating physiological processes (such as pain, mood, sleep and digestion), research has indicated it also helps maintain balance across certain skin functions.
2. Decreases Skin’s Sebum Production
Shown to reduce sebum production, CBD can help minimize acne outbreaks. CBD inhibits secretions by the cells that secrete sebum (called “sebocytes”). It does this by activating the cells’ ion channels, which facilitates the flow of calcium to the sebocytes. That, in turn, suppresses lipid synthesis (a process with a known connection to causing acne).
