CBD is the wellness ingredient of the moment and it's hustling its way into your skincare too. Here are the latest cannabidiol skincare oils promising to soothe inflammation and dryness on the spot
CBD oil is leafing its mark (apologies) all over the health and beauty aisles currently, and the upswing in interest in all things hemp-related looks set to continue according to cannabis industry analysts The Brightfield Group who predict that the hemp -CBD sector will be worth $22 billion by 2022. Distinct from medicinal cannabis that’s currently only available on prescription in the UK, cannabidiol (CBD) isn’t simply being touted as a tincture with potential to relieve anxiety and insomnia but it’s got status as a topical soother and moisturiser in skincare circles too. In fact, many CBD skincare oils do double duty as supplements as you will discover, and you don’t need to shell out to access the benefits either.
It’s quite literally a growing market, so there’s more research and product development required to determine the full potential of the cannabis plant where skincare is concerned, but here’s your CBD skincare high five as it stands. Incidentally don’t take this stuff to the airport - while these CBD oils don’t contain THC, the famously psychoactive compound found within the cannabis plant, and despite the fact that CBD is legal in the UK, the cannabis plant isn’t and hemp oil isn’t legal in every country. Better safe than sorry/ behind bars (possibly being overdramatic here but just in case).
Disciple Miracle Drops 1%, £22 for 30ml
Available in 1 per cent, 2.5 per cent and 5 per cent CBD concentration this facial oil also moonlights as a tincture - you can add it to skincare, or include it as a final step in your moisturising routine to seal in hydration or pipette a few drops under your tongue/ in your coffee (a CBD latte is surely the next Starbucks offering). Sticking to the topical prowess, however, it’s recommended to blend a few drops with your facial oil or moisturiser to help to reduce inflammation and dryness and strengthen the skin barrier. It’s fragrance free, grassy smelling and very simply developed - it contains just hemp seed oil and cannabidiol so it should be a goer for even very sensitive skin.
Revolution CBD Oil, £10 for 30ml
Lipid rich and fragrance-free, while you shouldn’t ingest this one, it comes in handy for locking down moisture in the skin and helping to alleviate chapping, flaking and soreness. Add it as the final step in your evening skincare routine if you have very dry skin - as well as cannabidiol and hemp seed oil it contains nourishing, non-irritating sweet almond oil and grapeseed oil. It’s not one for acne sufferers or those prone to oiliness, however, as the coconut oil content alongside other rich plant oils could prove too occlusive. One for the parched.
The Organic Pharmacy CBD Oil, £59 for 10ml
Another supplement/ skincare hybrid, this 10 per cent concentration CBD can be taken sublingually or applied directly to the skin to supposedly aid everything from localised aches and pains (CBD is very bioavailable so its compounds are readily absorbed and utilised by the body) to eczema . This is the highest CBD concentration in the list, hence the expense.
CBD Enriching Oil, £48 for 30ml
While you can’t add this CBD oil to your morning smoothie, you can drop some into your conditioner, moisturiser, body lotion or smooth it over the ends of the hair for multipurpose perks - it also contains hydrating olive and marula oils for silkening, strengthening clout and it’s non-fragrant, making it suitable for sensitive skin. It’s rich stuff so a few drops will suffice and it also comes in a 10ml portable rollerball for easy on the go application and travel (although, as above, don’t risk the airport, just in case).
Ohne Anti-Teardrops 1% CBD Oil, £27
Throwing in a curveball here but this new CBD skincare oil (it launches on 24th January) is designed to be used as topical stress relief when period cramps strike. Massage a few drops into your abdomen (or demand a CBD back massage from a partner/ pal) and it claims to help with both stress and pain relief. We’ll know more when it launches to press later this week, but the brand even suggests that you can apply a dap to a tampon before inserting during your time of the month - just in case you thought CBD couldn’t get wackier. If that’s too far for you, it’s worth noting that Ohne absorbs the tampon tax for subscribers to its organic cotton tampons and provides menstrual education and access to period products for girls in the Zambia.