Everything to Know About CBD in Beauty Products

Everything to Know About CBD in Beauty Products

The U.S. CBD skincare market is booming. CBD is so popular that many businesses now use it in a variety of skincare items. A new report estimates that in 2019, CBD skincare product sales hit more than $645 million. Analysts predict the market will continue to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 33% by 2027.

Clearly, it’s becoming more common to see CBD in beauty products. However, while the CBD skincare market is growing, not every CBD beauty product is created equal. There are still important factors that consumers should consider when searching for a CBD beauty product.

What is CBD?

Before diving into the nitty-gritty, consumers should know the basics. Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of 85 cannabinoids in the cannabis sativa plant. Because of the 2018 Farm Bill, CBD products are becoming increasingly common. People are interested in these remedies because CBD may have various health benefits and help with anxiety, depression, the brain, and of course, the skin.

How does CBD work?

CBD works by interacting with the endocannabinoid system, which exists in the body. This complex cell-signaling network helps regulate a person’s mood, appetite, fertility, and reproduction. Within the endocannabinoid system, there are CB1 and CB2 receptors that bind with cannabinoids.

These receptors are located all throughout the body and are also on the skin. When using CBD beauty products, the remedy will interact with the receptors in skin cells. And dhis interaction will unleash CBD’s therapeutic effects.

Why Mainstream Does Not Always Mean High-Value

Many well-established retailers are allowing CBD beauty products to hit their shelves. CBD remedies are so sought-after that many big retailers like Ulta, Sephora, Barneys, and Neiman Marcus have started stocking them. These retailers understand how to market a new product to consumers, and experts predict that retailers’ success could help boost the CBD market from $50 billion to $100 billion.

But just because big-name retailers are stocking and selling CBD skincare products doesn’t mean they actually develop the item. Most retailers prefer to market the remedy instead of formulating it themselves, which is why a majority of retailers will choose a CBD beauty product to sell on their shelves before creating one from scratch.

As a result, consumers are likely to find minimal CBD in beauty products. Some of these beauty items contain essential oils, beeswax, and other great ingredients for the skin. But they only have a tiny dose of CBD in them.

Consumers don’t know this information because, on the product labels and packaging, the CBD ingredient plays a significant role in catching their attention. They believe they’re going to experience the benefits of CBD when that’s not the case. That’s why it’s crucial for consumers to read the amount of CBD in the beauty products they’re considering. 

They should also look out for white labeling, a term that simply means a company is producing a CBD skincare product that other businesses can rebrand to make their own. Currently, a major white label company is releasing CBD beauty products so that brands can add their own logo and market the remedy as a new product. This trend means that many of the CBD-infused skincare remedies consumers are purchasing are likely the same but just have different logos.  

Why Consumers Want CBD in Beauty Products

Regardless of the amount of CBD in a remedy or the number of similar items flooding the market, CBD beauty products are here to stay. A lot of the popularity around CBD has to do with word of mouth. Consumers have heard friends, colleagues, and family members say things like, “CBD cleared up my acne!” or “CBD helped with my eczema!” and they’re understandably curious. 

In fact, around 40% of Americans aged 21 and over show an interest in adding CBD to their wellness regimen. After the government made the distinction between hemp and marijuana, clearing up the confusion around CBD’s legality, consumers’ willingness to try CBD has increased. But is their excitement founded on credible research that suggests the positive impact CBD beauty products have on a person’s well-being?

Are There Any Benefits of Having CBD in Beauty Products?

The hemp plant has many benefits and so does CBD. However, currently, there is a general lack of scientific research about CBD skincare, regardless of whether it’s lotion, lip balm, or a face mask. Studies about its efficacy for treating various ailments are being done. But because of the hazy legality surrounding CBD, researchers and the scientific community haven’t completed many studies yet, so there’s little medical advice that they can give. 

But a few things are coming to light. According to dermatologist Dr. Patricia Farris, CBD is a potent antioxidant. It’s stronger than vitamin C and vitamin E as it protects collagen and defends consumers against sun damage. Dr. Farris also added that CBD could act as an anti-inflammatory for people with chronic skin conditions like eczema, rosacea, and acne. But while some researchers have concluded that CBD is effective at reducing inflammation, more research is still required. 

It’s also important to note that while the federal government legalized hemp in 2018, the FDA has not approved CBD with the exception of one medication for epilepsy. While the FDA doesn’t regulate beauty products in general, the lack of studies on CBD makes it difficult for companies to know even the most basic information, such as what quantity of CBD is required for it to be effective. 

That fact leaves a lot up to chance. Some CBD companies may use this to their advantage because if they don’t know, chances are the consumer won’t either. So how do consumers navigate the CBD skincare world?

How to Find a Credible CBD Skincare Product 

With so many CBD beauty products on the market, all with their various promises, it can be a difficult task to figure out which brands are coming from a place of knowledge, and which are just following the CBD trend. To make your buying journey easier, here are some strategies to help you find the best CBD beauty products on the market. 

1. Check whether the brand is actually in the skincare industry and whether it has produced high-quality products before. It’s also helpful to see if the company has a clinical background in CBD. A trustworthy brand will answer a customer’s in-depth questions about the specific product instead of throwing around buzzwords. It’s also useful to check out blog posts and the company FAQ pages. 
2. Find out whether the product is white-labeled. The best way to do this is to find a few CBD skincare companies and check their ingredient lists. If they’re the same, chances are the product is the same, too. 
3. Look for toxic chemicals in the CBD beauty product. If you are going the more natural route with skincare, the last thing you need is disrupting chemicals and other nasty ingredients in the products you purchase.
4. Do your due diligence. Make sure that the CBD beauty products have their Certificates of Analysis and that there is enough CBD in the product to make it worth purchasing. It’s also important to do your research on how the CBD was sourced and extracted. 

See Through the Hype

CBD in beauty products is probably going to be around for a while. But consumers still have to be careful when purchasing a CBD beauty product. Checking whether the company has some clinical knowledge of CBD, whether they source it responsibly, and whether they actually put a decent amount into their products are a few ways to make sure you’re getting a high-quality beauty product.

If you have a friend or family member who wants to buy a CBD beauty product, share this article with them before they hit the store! We’ll make sure they have everything they need to make a great purchase.