CBD is unique in more ways than one.
To start, just try naming another supplement that’s effective for both internal and topical use—even when used in the very same oil form.
And while CBD oil can indeed be great for your skin, things can actually get even better if you take the time to make a dedicated CBD topical. In this article we’ll be looking at how CBD creams could transform (and simplify!) your skincare routine.
Who is using CBD topicals?
Retail-ready CBD topicals haven’t been around all that long, yet they’ve quickly been adopted into the mainstream. It’s not difficult to figure out why. CBD topicals provide an extra boost of many of the same benefits you’d look for in any other skincare product too—think hydration, reduced inflammation, and anti-aging properties.
And the diversity of these benefits has allowed for an equally diverse customer base. Massage therapists incorporate CBD topicals into their treatments, athletes use them post-workout to soothe muscles, and skincare enthusiasts are adding them to their beauty regimens for their anti-aging effects.
As an added plus, it’s downright easy to mix CBD oil with lotions and other oils to make tailor-made topicals.
Why you should consider putting CBD on your skin
But before embarking on a CBD-infused skincare plan, it’s important to find your reason why. The best and most sustainable wellness routines tend to be the ones you care most about, after all. If you’re not sold yet, allow us to convince you.
The skin is the body’s largest organ. It provides the first line of defense against the environment, gives the body the ability to sense temperature, and protects it from potentially harmful pathogens and bacteria.
And the appearance of one’s skin is more than skin deep; it actually provides valuable insight on the state of your internal health. “Your skin is the fingerprint of what is going on inside your body, and all skin conditions, from psoriasis to acne to aging, are the manifestations of your body's internal needs, including its nutritional needs,” attests Dr. Georgiana Donadio.
With such big responsibilities, why not treat your skin to the ultimate botanical luxury: homemade CBD cream?
When to use CBD cream
If, in some hypothetical world, we could only use CBD topicals for one thing…
...it’d be relaxation.
That’s because CBD-infused creams are all about helping you reduce stress and get back to feeling like yourself again. And CBD’s stress-fighting ability works best when paired with the perfect setting. Spa-inspired bath or massage, anyone? Here are some other ideas to maximize the benefits of CBD topicals:
The perfect post-workout | In the past, hard-training athletes might have recovered from a tough workout with a couple of aspirin or ibuprofen beforehand, but today there are far better options. Help fight soreness by massaging a CBD topical into muscles after you stretch out post workout.
The skincare secret | As CBD grows in popularity, so does the research on its potential benefits for the overall appearance of our skin. CBD contains antioxidants, which are paramount to fighting free radicals, making it a useful ingredient for preventing signs of aging. Other studies have found that CBD may also be effective at fighting acne, due to its ability to reduce the skin’s sebum production, and helpful in reducing the symptoms of skin ailments like eczema and psoriasis.
Boost your massage | What’s more relaxing than an hour-long massage? A two-hour-long massage, sure...but since you’re probably too busy for that, make the most of the time you do have by adding in some CBD and using an infused lotion in place of regular massage oil. The duo should have you feeling refreshed in body, mind, spirit, and muscle.
And then there’s the fact that massage therapy, like CBD, can stimulate the endocannabinoid system. Talk about two birds with one stone.
CBD-powered yoga | CBD and yoga actually go way back: the same Vedic textbooks that first describe yoga also make references to hemp. Both CBD and yoga can help you feel focused, empowered, and pure. Combine them, and some real synergy happens—especially for anyone intent on setting aside distractions and living in the now.