This skin disease can be very frustrating and, if it persists, could have harmful physical and social effects on an individual. On the bright side, cannabidiol (CBD) is being recognized by a growing band of enthusiasts as a viable antidote to acne.

Evidence about the prevention of acne and the clearing up of skin conditions resulting from the use of CBD oil has been established by Tamás Bíró, a principal researcher from Hungary's University of Debrecen.

 Adults, as well as adolescents with acne, could gain from using this promising solution to their skin ailment.

What is Acne?

Between 40- and 50-million people in the U.S. are affected by acne, described by the American Academy of Dermatology as the most common skin ailment in the country.

More commonly seen in adolescence, the skin disease is becoming more prevalent among adults, particularly among women of 30 and above. 

This inflammatory skin condition can advertise its presence in the form of nodules, cysts, whiteheads, blackheads or pustules (commonly referred to as pimples).

Acne can not only manifest as physical symptoms but also result in depression and low self-esteem.

Functioning of Acne

In order to analyze how CBD makes treatment of acne possible, we must first look at how acne develops.

How Acne Develops

Acne owes its development to numerous factors, such as colonization of bacteria in the pores, inflammatory cells, and extraneous sebum. The primary cause of acne is the production of excessive sebum.

This fatty acid known as a lipid is produced by the sebaceous glands, tiny glands in the skin that account for the lubrication of both hair and skin. Colonization of the pores by bacteria known as “cutibacterium acnes” results after the creation by the extraneous sebum of a favorable environment for such colonization.

In the final step, inflammatory cytokines are produced by the bacteria which manifest as forms of acne.

The skin, among many other bodily functions, relies on the endocannabinoid system (ECS) for the maintenance of its homeostasis. Sometimes, an imbalance is caused in the ECS, such as when anandamide or other endocannabinoids activate the CB2 receptors of the system.

Such imbalance in the ECS could lead to the formation of excess lipids, in turn leading to excess sebum. Hormones could also cause excessive production of lipids -- resulting in cane --.

Acne Medication

Some popular medication options for acne include Dapsone (Aczone), Azelaic acid cream, Antibiotics, and Retinoid drugs, derived from Vitamin A (Avita, Retin-A).

Oral pills (topicals) are the dominant form of medication for acne. In order to treat the ailment, most medication options either kill bacteria or reduce production of oil in the skin. Nevertheless, harmful side effects can result from some treatment options.

For instance, the skin could become dry and itching when both healthy and diseased fat cells are killed via treatments that rely on vitamin A. Acute gastrointestinal problems, loss of hearing, joint pain, and back pain could all result from the use of vitamin-A based treatments.

 Research has shown that medications based on CBD could lead to greater safety and efficiency in treatment than cures that rely on vitamin A based medicines.

Research Supporting Treatment of Acne by CBD

Studies on the endocannabinoid system (ECS) and on CBD point to potentially successful medication for acne. Firstly, the ECS plays a primary function as it produces lipids to hydrate the skin.

Production of lipids is boosted by an endocannabinoid known as Anandamide. CBD targets excess sebum -- a fatty oil that lipids create as the root cause of acne --. Thanks to CBD's limiting of the production of sebum, anandamide cannot synthesize lipids.

Inflammation, a commonly seen manifestation of acne, is also reduced by CBD. These effects of the ECS and CBD are highlighted through research results:

Use of Cannabis Seed Extract Cream to Treat Acne

The COMSATS Institute of Information Technology of Pakistan conducted research through its Department of Pharmacy in 2015 to test how well sebum could be reduced in the skin on a human cheek by using a cream with a three percent component of the extract of cannabis seed.

Patients were treated with two creams, a cream containing the extract, and another (control) cream without the extract. The treatment involved the use of both creams twice daily over a period of twelve weeks.

Every two weeks, the researchers recorded how much sebum was produced. The control cream was found to reduce much less sebum than the one with the CBD extract. The patients revealed good tolerance for the extract from cannabis seed and did not suffer any side effects. The researchers concluded that cannabis could be efficacious in the treatment of skin diseases such as acne.

Prevention of Sebum Production and Inflammation in Treatment of Acne

Tamás Bíró, a Hungarian researcher on the efficacy of CBD in treating acne, from Hungary's University of Debrecen, studied how CBD could inhibit production of sebum in sebaceous glands (sources of sebum) in humans.

He found that CBD inhibited lipid-production in many compounds that produce lipids (known to be the raw material of sebum). Bíró also established that CBD prevented the prolific growth of sebocytes, component cells of the sebaceous gland that manufacture sebum.

Inflammation seen along with acne is aided by a commonly found cytokine called tumor necrosis factor. Apart from inhibiting the production of sebum, CBD was found to combat inflammation by preventing tumor necrosis factor from elevating.

Encouraged by both these results, researchers recommended the testing in the future of a systemic or topical application of CBD in the treatment of acne.

Critiquing the Role of The Endocannabinoid System in The Skin

The function of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in relation to the skin was evaluated by a team of researchers, including those from the National Institutes of Health's Laboratory of Physiological Studies, the University of Manchester, Germany's University of Lübeck, New Jersey Medical School, and the University of Debrecen.

They found that the “proliferation, differentiation and survival” of skin cells were balanced by the ECS and that numerous skin diseases, such as acne, could be caused when this balance was disrupted.

The study of a section of acne revealed CB2 receptors of the ECS on sebocytes. The researchers also established that through activation of these receptors, endocannabinoids contribute significantly to the production of lipids.

In conclusion, the researchers perceived the possibility of a valuable therapy through the inhibition by cannabinoids of the activation of the CB2 receptors, especially as topical applications of cannabinoids have revealed penetration of the skin by the drugs.

Effective and Efficient Treatment of Acne

Marijuana has a psychotropic component called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) that accounts for the "high" associated with its use. However, the drug also has a non-psychotropic component called cannabidiol, or CBD, that has proven to provide effective relief for pains and aches with topical application.

In his university lab, Tamás Bíró studied the reduction of acne by CBD. His findings showed that rather than the stoppage of lipid synthesis via activation of CB receptors, CBD functions by binding to ion channels known as TRPV4.

Activation of these ion channels allows calcium to enter the sebocytes thereby inhibiting the formation of lipids. Bíró concluded that CBD can inhibit the actions of endocannabinoids, reducing the formation of mediators, including lipids and steroid hormones.

The right concentration of CBD can have effective therapeutic results as healthy sebocytes surrounding diseased ones are spared. For instance, dry skin can result from the destruction of healthy sebocytes by commonly used medications, such as vitamin A, in the treatment of acne.

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CBD and Skin Care.

In recent times, CBD has also begun to be sold as a skin care product that can be used to treat everything from wrinkles to acne. Before we analyze whether CBD is good for skin, let's take a closer look at the product.

As already stated, it is non-psychotropic which means it is devoid of the mind-altering haze associated with THC. The cannabis plant produces CBD and THC in two different parts of the plant.

We must also differentiate CBD oil from hemp oil. One is often mistaken for the other and even sold as such but the primary difference between the two lies in the cannabidiol component of the two oils.

While CBD oil has a rich concentration of cannabidiol, hemp oil has only trace amounts of the component. One way of finding out whether the product you are buying is CBD oil or hemp oil is to look at the label on the bottle. If the ingredient shown is cannabis sativa seed oil, you are probably holding a bottle of hemp oil.

Why is CBD Good for Skin?

Research has shown that CBD can benefit a person's skin in numerous ways. The antioxidant properties of CBD oil have been established beyond doubt, leading to research findings that point to the ability of the oil to slow the process of aging of the skin.

In addition to being anti-inflammatory, CBD anti-aging creams also counteract the damage of a free-radical nature, with the result that there is diminishing of ruddy skin tone, dullness of skin, and wrinkles.

Soothing of sensitive skin is a proven benefit of CBD oil. Research findings show that triggers of psoriasis, among other skin disorders, can be inhibited through the application of the oil; even eczema-prone skin can show improvement.

While research on the subject continues to be undertaken, findings thus far have established the ability of CBD to calm the skin and normalize it.

Does CBD Cream Help with Acne?

The answer lies in the positive effects of CBD on acne-prone skin. As already stated, several studies have established CBD oil's anti-inflammatory properties.

Acne is a form of inflammation. Studies have established that CBD can soothe the skin with a diminishing of breakouts and a reduction of redness. Some recent research has also established the ability of CBD to check excessive production of sebum oil that can trigger acne.

While research on the subject is far from complete, the potential of CBD as an alternative to traditional cures of acne must excite those who suffer from the skin condition.

Inhibition of Lipid Synthesis

An imbalance in hormones or in the endocannabinoid system (ECS) can result in excessive production of sebum. The release of an endocannabinoid called anandamide in the vicinity of the sebaceous glands can significantly boost the production of lipids via activation of CB2 receptors on sebocytes. Thus, an excess of sebum may be produced when the CB2 receptors are overactivated by anandamide, thanks to an imbalance.

Tamás Bíró has successfully demonstrated the inhibition of synthesis of lipids by endocannabinoids such as anandamide. The finding is especially astounding given that the actions of endocannabinoids are usually promoted by CBD.

The mystery is solved when we consider that CBD targets the TRPV4 ion receptors. Activation of the ion receptors opens them up, allowing the influx into the cells of calcium, effectively inhibiting the synthesis of lipids by anandamide. Researchers are yet to find out the exact reason for the result.

Synthesis of lipids is also affected by glucocorticoids (steroid hormones) that boost breakouts of acne. According to Bíró, CBD, which is “universally inhibitive of lipid synthesis,” can inhibit many producers of lipids, such as steroid hormones, among others.

Reduction of Inflammation

Inflammation in sebocytes is relieved by CBD, as shown by research. Proinflammatory proteins called cytokines cause inflammation; bacteria residing in the pores that contain excessive sebum release these proteins. All causes of inflammation, IL1B, IL6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) are three cytokines targeted by CBD.

TNF is a commonly seen cytokine that the immune system engenders. The presence of excess lipids leads to an increase in TNF component. CBD inhibits TNF levels, largely reducing the severity of inflammation. The IL6 and IL1B cytokines are also boosted when excessive lipids are produced.

The levels of these cytokines are normalized by CBD which targets the adenosine A2a receptor to accomplish such reduction. ATP, short for adenosine triphosphate, is the main energy source for muscular and cellular functions and can benefit the skin in many ways. Adenosine is a component part of ATP.

Does CBD Help With Acne Scars

As already discussed, many beauty and skin care products have begun to feature CBD. These include products aimed at treating acne. The immune system of a human has the endocannabinoid system as a component part. The application of CBD has an indirect effect on the endocannabinoid system. The majority of the tissues of the body contain endocannabinoid receptors. The skin also contains several. CBD not only provides relief from inflammation but also has a powerful antioxidant character, more so even than retinol.

Research has shown that scar tissue of the liver (also known as fibrosis) is improved when the endocannabinoid system is activated. The process of such amelioration involves reduction of inflammation in the liver. Such anti-inflammatory action by CBD results in lower levels of alpha-SMA and collagen1. Production of hypertrophic scarring is aided by collagen.

New skin cells are regenerated with the help of CBD that prevents the proliferation of damaged cells. The occurrence of a wound, such as an acne infection, causes the production of collagen fibers by the immune system of the body. Infection risk reduces after the wound is sealed by these fibers. Research has shown that the production of collagen is regulated by CBD oil, thereby slowing the healing process which happens in a more orderly and smoother way, thereby reducing the incidence of ugly scars. Quick improvement can be seen with CBD oil in the spot treatment of scars.

Is Hemp Good for Acne?

Before we answer this question, let’s find out what the term “hemp” refers to.

The cannabis plant has soft and fleshy stems usually referred to as "hemp." But to obtain hemp oil, you must extract it from the seeds of the cannabis plant. Greenish-brown in color (ranging from light to dark), cold pressed hemp seed oil is variously useful in a diverse array of activities ranging from cooking to medicinal cures.

There is a common misconception that hemp oil is somehow associated with the psychoactive "high" of marijuana products. In fact, hemp oil has a low component of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) that causes the psychoactive haze in marijuana. Rather, hemp oil has a higher proportion of cannabidiol (CBD).

A regular function of the human body is aimed at upkeeping the endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system

(EBS) bears the almost sole responsibility of producing basal cells that are the major component of the skin. A balanced endocannabinoid system will enable the production and moderation by the skin of healthy oils as well as the regeneration of new cells to allow protection of the skin from various disruptions such as blemishes, rashes, and inflammation, among others. The skin generally creates its own CBD. However, such production of CBD can be hindered when there is any imbalance in the EBS. That is where hemp-oil, or plant-derived cannabinoids, can come to the rescue of the skin.

How to Use Hemp Seed Oil for Acne and Acne Scars.

Acne breakouts mainly happen due to dead cells, hormonal imbalance, and inflammation. Bacteria and dead cells accumulate at skin pores that are locations of clogging of excessively produced sebum.

Many people tend to believe that acne will be reduced by dry skin, but that is a myth. According to experts, sebum is not inimical to the health of our skin. For instance, linoleic acid, which is a component part of sebum, forms 57% of hemp seed oil. So, when you apply hemp seed oil topically, you will find that the sebum becomes more soft and smooth. The application of hemp seed oil will aid the removal of blockages in your skin pores and help make acne breakouts history, given that the oil has been given a comedogenic rating of “zero.” In the absence of linoleic acid, sebum thrives on the production by the skin of oleic acid that results in sebum that is firm and dry, and that gets converted to blackheads after blocking skin pores. Thus, linoleic acid provided by hemp oil reduces the clogging of the pores by sebum. Hemp oil is anti-inflammatory, and application of the oil around acne bumps results in reduced pain and redness. Hemp oil can also moisturize your skin, ridding it of patches that are itchy and dry. Oil and impurities that cause blockages in skin pores are cleansed, thanks to the oil's activity of a non-comedogenic nature. The skin begins to function healthily, thanks to Omega – 6 and 3 fatty acids contained in hemp oil. The oil also houses magnesium, calcium, zinc, iron, phosphorous, potassium, and vitamins A and E that help in increasing flow of blood, lightning scars related to acne, and preventing wrinkles by thwarting free radicals.

Restoration of Self-Confidence in Sufferers from Acne 

Besides causing annoyance, acne can demolish the self-esteem of a person and inhibit his/her social abilities. Sufferers of acme would be encouraged by the quantum of positive research findings that establish CBD as a treatment option for the skin condition with its ability to inhibit lipid production and inflammation. Additionally, CBD is safer to use than conventional treatments of acme. If you are one of the millions who suffer from acne, you could restore your self-confidence and the health of your skin by using CBD for its treatment.

Article Sources

https://www.skindiseaseremedies.com/hemp-seed-oil-acne-acne-scars/

https://cannabismd.com/beauty/acne/how-to-get-rid-of-acne-scars-with-cbd-oil/

https://www.paulaschoice.com/expert-advice/skincare-advice/natural-skincare/cbd-oil-benefits-for-skin-can-help-acne-anti-aging.html