Can CBD fight wrinkles?
Wrinkles as enemy number 1
More and more people are talking about natural looks and self-acceptance, but the numbers associated with the global market for anti-aging products say otherwise. In fact, in the US alone, sales of cosmetics reached nearly two hundred billion dollars in 2020, indicating that every extra wrinkle is being fought and that this is one of the most profitable markets ever. People are obsessed with their appearance and would love to have alabaster skin without a trace of advanced age. Unfortunately, some people rely too much on miracle products and their lifestyles undermine the effects of anti-ageing creams, oils and serums.
What promotes wrinkles:
- Hormonal changes (menopause)
- Smoking
- Alcohol consumption
- Excessive sun exposure
- Long-term stress
To a large extent, genetics and the illnesses a person experiences contribute to the appearance of wrinkles, where some people can develop visible lines as early as around the age of 30. If you suffer from acne, psoriasis, rosacea or atopic eczema, the skin layers are disrupted and more prone to wrinkles.
As the years go by, the skin becomes thinner and the signs of ageing become more and more visible. Shock treatment usually has only a partial effect; the best results are associated with prevention, which should begin long before the first wrinkles appear. Just moisturise your skin regularly and avoid the negative influences mentioned above.
The cannabis plant contains more than a hundred cannabinoids. Not all of them have been sufficiently researched, with most of the attention being focused on CBD, while other components such as CBN, CBG, HHC and others stand slightly in the background. Cannabidiol has a number of potentially beneficial effects. It is not thought to directly counteract the appearance of wrinkles, but it does stimulate processes in the body that can prevent them from forming or deepening.
Effects of CBD in relation to wrinkles:
- Antioxidant effects
- Anti-inflammatory effects
- Sleep promotion
- Increase sebum production
- Stress and anxiety relief
Antioxidant effects
Substances with antioxidant effects (CBD is one of them) prevent cell damage and thus prevent the rapid breakdown of collagen and elastin in skin tissues. These are responsible for hydrated and soft skin without wrinkles.
Anti-inflammatory effects
Active inflammation interferes with natural functions, regardless of whether it takes place directly in the body (in the organs) or on the skin. There, it slows down the regeneration process, giving wrinkles enough room to expand and become more pronounced. Stressed skin (e.g. with eczema) is sensitive and to get rid of wrinkles, you first need to reduce inflammation and soothe the skin.
Sleep support
An adult should get seven to nine hours of sleep a day. More time can put a strain on the body and prevent the circadian rhythm from running its natural course; less time leads to irritability, fatigue, chronic pain, concentration problems or a decline in libido. There may also be discomfort in one's own skin that manifests as itching or tingling. Sleep deprivation manifests itself in deeper wrinkles, circles under the eyes and prominent facial contours.
Increase in sebum production
As a person ages, the skin cannot produce as much sebum as it does around the age of 20. This means that the skin does not receive the natural hydration that guarantees healthy, supple and plump cheeks. Once sebum production drops, the top layer of the skin is not nourished enough and wrinkles appear in greater numbers.
Stress and anxiety relief
Impact stress is sometimes unavoidable and can have a positive effect on performance. In the long term, it parasitises many bodily processes, such as brain, heart, nervous and digestive system and reproductive functions, and it also affects the condition of the skin. When stressed, the skin becomes grey, rough, prone to rashes and eczema, with localised redness. An ideal breeding ground for the appearance, spread and deepening of wrinkles.
CBD for wrinkles - what and how to use?
CBD can be taken in many forms such as oils, capsules, sprays, patches, topical products and many more. Many people opt for creams, serums, gels or micellar lotions, thinking that direct application to the skin guarantees the fastest effects. For such products, it is essential to focus on the maximum CBD content. Topical products mainly act on the top layer of the skin (they also nourish the deeper ones, of course). However, when taken sublingually (CBD drops) or orally (CBD capsules), the above-mentioned effects can occur with regular use (promoting sleep, reducing inflammation, stress and anxiety, and increasing sebum production).Regular consumption of CBD oil thus helps to restore balance in the body and prevents the appearance and spread of wrinkles, not locally, but deeply and comprehensively 'from within'.
Since CBD is virtually impossible to overdose on, as a person can take up to 1500 mg of cannabidiol per day without side effects (limit doses are not recommended, the ideal amount is up to 50 mg of CBD per day), it is possible to take both oils and topicals at the same time to maximise skin nourishment.
How to prevent further wrinkles:
- Drinking regime (at least two litres of clean water a day)
- Healthy diet (healthy fats, vegetables, nuts)
Summary
Wrinkles are natural and cannot be completely avoided. But there are ways to slow their appearance. CBD is an interesting alternative to dampen inflammation, relieve stress and promote sleep, which can make the skin look and feel rested. Small wrinkles will soften and deeper ones will be less pronounced. You can also combine topical products with cannabidiol for skin care, and perhaps CBD drops for holistic health care - not just of the skin but of the whole body and mind.
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