to believe or not to believe the “high-pe”
The use of hemp derivatives in skincare became a fad sometime in the mid-2010s, after some states had legalized the recreational use of marijuana but most still had not. Was “weed” still just a taboo mood enhancer? In many places, yes. But it was starting to become more widely-accepted for benefits beyond making a user both dazed and confused, and the stigma was beginning to dissipate.
Thus a lucrative industry was born! CBD was everywhere all of a sudden – in your energy drinks, in your chocolate and, yes, all over your #skinstagram feed. Beyond just its ability to treat medical conditions, CBD was touted to have efficacious implications for your day-to-day health and wellness (including your skin).
So, does that mean your moisturizer can get you high? Absolutely not (unless you’re using a Puff the Magic Dragon special, which we do not condone here at The Perfect Balm). That’s because skincare products that tout the benefits of CBD are talking about a non-psychoactive compound derived from the cannabis sativa plant — cannabidiol.
So what does cannabidiol do? Known for its healing properties, CBD has been shown in research to prove anti-inflammatory and offer antioxidant benefits. It also reduces the production of sebum (or natural oils), a primary perpetrator of acne. Studies indicate that CBD may also be helpful in fighting chronic conditions like eczema or psoriasis. (It also has other topical benefits, such as soothing aches and pains.)
And why is it important in lip care, specifically? In general, CBD in lip care definitely seems more like a gimmick than anything else. I’ve tried a couple, and neither has shown me that it’s a better balm by virtue of its 25mg of special sauce. Brands may tout CBD’s ultra-hydrating powers, but there are plenty of other ingredients (e.g., shea butter, cupuaçu butter, or – my favorite, moringa oil) that are just as efficacious as this hemp derivative.
In conclusion, consume responsibly – and don’t be fooled by the marketing.
Read more on the science of CBD in skincare here, here and here.
The Perfect Balm 