Neither youth nor beauty lasts forever. 

Time does a number on our skin. Regardless of temporary appearance, the molecular components inside skin do deteriorate with age. Decline in collagen production is leading cause of loss of skin smoothness, tightness, and elasticity. Meanwhile, with declining function of micro oil glands to provide nourishing, dry skin seems inevitable.

For every demand, there is market. The immense desire to maintain youth and beauty helps explain the existence of potentially infinite number of anti-aging products on market. The question remains, what is the best choice?

Giant MNEs in the cosmetic industry such as Unilever, Estee Lauder, and L’oreal CO have begun paying attention to CBD and commonly believe that this to be the next big thing. According to public data, online-search frequency for “CBD beauty” as keywords has increased by 370% in just the first two months of 2019. Meanwhile, consumers and retailers are being attracted by CBD for its great potential in health and natural beauty. 

How does human skin ages?

Skin aging is a very normal biological process caused by both internal and external factors.

Internally, the rate of collagen and elastin production are marginally reduced by 1% on average annually after reaching the age of 20. Unfortunately, collage and elastin are key compounds responsible for maintaining firmness and smoothness of the skin. In addition, the microscopic oil glands in human skin responsible for moisturization gradually stop secretion with age. The resulting dryness is another leading internal cause of skin aging. 

External causes refer to a host of environmental factors including but not limited to: exposure to pollutants, UV light, various skin contacts, and lifestyle choices. Environmental factors can significantly accelerate rate of collagen and elastin losses, resulting to wrinkles, skin vulnerability, sun spots, and other traces. Notably, these external causes collectively contribute to 90% of skin aging.

Unsurprisingly, skin care has always been, and is still a major quest for women. Regardless of effectiveness, the fairer sex is determined to defy laws of nature, by all possible means necessary.

The latest research into anti-aging property of the CBD compound may bring new hope. The all-natural characteristic of the compound may provide a new answer to the longstanding question, and perhaps hopefully, even the final answer.

CBD: A rising star in skin rejuvenation

Scientific studies have proven the antioxidating property of CBD, and much more potent compared to vitamin C and vitamin E. In 1998, a National Institutes of Health found that the CBD is superior choice to ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol effective in protecting against glutamic acid neurotoxicity, implying its role as effective antioxidant. 

Free radicals are atoms derived from organic reactions. They constantly catalyze the decomposition of collagen through oxidization. On the other hand, CBD can effectively suppress free radicals, decelerating the rate of collagen loss. It helps maintain skin firmness over time. 

National Institutes of Health also shows that: endocannabinoid system (ECS) can effectively control the secretion of oil glands on skin surface through combining with CB2 receptor on skin surface to improve skin regulation.

Although CBD does not directly control the secretion of these oil glands, they can supplement the secretion of ECS and indirectly improve skin moisture. 

In addition to the active ingredient CBD, the CBD oil also contains a lot of unsaturated fatty acids (mainly Omega-3 and Omega-6) of hemp plant. The unsaturated fatty is not synthesized in human body, but is an essential fatty acid that provides necessary nutrients for synthesizing various hormones and endogenous substances. For the skin, Omega-3 can enhance the delicate cell membrane surrounding every cell to nourish cells and effectively expel wastes inside cells to promote skin health and moisture; Omega-6 benefits the metabolism of oil glands, and helps reduce skin allergy and eczema. Moreover, it can prevent skin dehydration.

CBD also possesses remarkable anti-inflammatory effect, which can alleviate skin tension, improving soothingness, and help hide fine lines.

The most effective anti-aging CBD application method

CBD as topical may be the most effective delivery method. The effectiveness is proportionate to the level of CBD content. Besides, using oral tincture or capsule can also achieve good effect. 

External use: products like cream, soap and balm can be applied directly to the skin. Cream with high CBD content is most likely to realize expected effect. It should be noted that these products are to be used in targeted areas with wrinkles. 

Oral administration: the anti-aging effect can be achieved through eating eatable CBD products or placing tincture under tongue, such as taking CBD oil, tincture or capsules orally. These products contain powerful doses of CBD that can be absorbed into human blood and create ideal effect to skin. 

Other skin care effects of CBD:

CBD for removing acnes: studies indicate that the anti-inflammatory and soothing functions of CBD can help to reduce acnes and redness. Meanwhile, it can reduce the generation of excessive sebum and help offset other causes of haemorrhoids. 

CBD against sensitive skin: another benefit of CBD is its apparent soothing function, an effective solution to skin sensitivity. 

CBD against skin itchiness: a study by the Department of Dermatology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine found: two applications of CBD dream per day exhibit obvious improvement among 8 out of 21 patients diagnosed with serious skin itchiness, over a period of three month experimentation. 

The stationed brands & products

Sephora has launched relevant product section in its outlets and the chain of beauty store - Ulta Beauty is planning to get involved. 

In February 2019, department store Barneys declared to release a series of CBD beauty products in Beverly Hills. 

Neiman Marcus also announced in February that it would start selling CBD beauty products on its website and five physical stores. 

Estee Lauder Companies Inc. has released relevant facial mask product (Origins Hemp Mask)

Market size

According to Wall Street investment bank analyst Jefferies, the sales of CBD beauty products will reach 25 billion US dollars and take up 15% of the whole skin care products market within the following decade.

Previously, Future Market Insights released a report titled CBD Skin Care Product Market: Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment of 2019-2027. The report indicates that: the sales income of CBD skin care products in 2019 is expected to exceed 645 million US dollars; up until 2027 the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of the market is expected to exceed 33%.