We’ve already talked about the power of hemp as a skincare hero, but since it’s Psoriasis Awareness Month it’s time to think about skincare again. Lots of people struggle with problematic skin – and it’s not just psoriasis that’s worth drawing attention to. Acne and eczema are also conditions that need management and extra care. With so many skincare products out there, it can be difficult to know where to start. In this week’s blog, we’re looking at different skin conditions and looking at whether or not CBD could be a benefit in managing it.
Acne
The teenage nightmare! But acne isn’t just for teens – many adults struggle with acne and it can prove to be a source of shame in daily life. Acne can look a few different ways. They can be red spots, white heads (the pus filled boils), or blackheads. Even though these three types of acne look different they are generally caused by blocked pores and hair follicles. If this blockage is close to the surface then the acne becomes a blackhead. If it’s just below the surface of your skin you’ll get a white head.
Acne is not caused by poor hygiene, though this is a pervasive myth. Acne is very common, and almost everyone will be affected by it at some point in their lives.
Lots of people find acne to be a problem because they don’t like how it looks. Acne, however, can also be painful to the touch and cause oily skin. With that in mind, let’s look at some tips to treat acne:
- Don’t use water that is too hot or too cold to wash your face. Aim for lukewarm water or you could make your acne even worse.
- Don’t squeeze! It’s so tempting to squeeze spots, but this isn’t good for your skin and can cause permanent damage and scarring. While squeezing might feel like a quick fix, it could potentially leave a long lasting mark on your skin.
- Use gentle cleansers. Our Hemp and Nettle CBD soap is ideal for this. Nettle has healing properties, and this can be really helpful for stressed or damaged skin. If you have been squeezing your spots (no judgement, we all do it really) then it’s even more important to to use something gentle to cleanse your skin.
- Always remove your makeup before bed. Makeup can be a great way to get your confidence back if you’re struggling with acne, but just make sure you go to bed fresh faced.
Can CBD help with acne?
If you’re asking if CBD might be a good addition to your acne skincare, maybe it’s time to take a look at our CBD and acne blog for a more independent look at the relationship between the two. If you’ve decided to try it out then CBD soap is a great place to start. Or unwind in a hot bath with a CBD bath block. If you’re trying to reduce stress then our Lavender & Frankincense CBD bath block could transport you to a plane of total relaxation.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis affects up to 1 in 50 people in the UK, varying from just a minor irritation to something that can hinder a person’s enjoyment of day to day life. It is characterised by patches of red flakey or crusty skin covered with a scale-like texture. It can appear all over the body but is commonly found at knees, elbows, and on the scalp.
Psoriasis has no cure right now, but it can be made more manageable. If you think you have psoriasis then it’s best to chat to your doctor, but there are also ways that you can help soothe psoriasis at home:
- Keep the skin hydrated and seal in moisture. Psoriasis can be irritating and itchy, and constant scratching can be damaging. This is exacerbated by dryness, so keeping your skin hydrated is essential.
- Don’t rub the skin after a shower. When we towel dry healthy skin, we tend to rub it with the towel. This can be painful and irritating for people with psoriasis, so it’s a better idea to pat the skin dry as this is far gentler.
- Shower and bathe sparingly if you can and, like with acne, make sure the water isn’t too hot. Our skin produces natural oils, and frequent showers and baths can strip this away.
Can CBD help with psoriasis?
We cannot definitively say that CBD will help psoriasis, but according to scientists there is potential for CBD to make a positive impact on those suffering from psoriasis. Endocannabinoids, something that the cannabinoids in CBD aim to stimulate, control pain and itching in the body. Also, CBD has shown great potential for soothing inflammation.
If you’re thinking about trying CBD for skincare, you could try our CBD natural oil. Though this is one of our oral products, it can be applied to psoriasis affected areas. Also, as it is an oil, it can help in keeping your skin from drying out. Just make sure to stick to our Natural Oil and avoid our Blood Orange or Peppermint varieties for topical treatment.
Also, though it doesn’t contain CBD, Voyager Hemp Hand Cream is super hydrating for dry, irritated skin. It’s made with gentle, natural ingredients and contains no fragrances to irritate your psoriasis. Who says it’s just for hands? It could be the perfect way to keep any skin on your body feeling nourished.
Eczema
Eczema in its most common form causes dry, cracked, and itchy skin. If eczema is caused a single thing, doctors are yet to figure out exactly what that is. Allergens are thought to be one cause, but symptoms can be triggered by a huge amount of things from stress to the weather.
It is long-term and a chronic condition, but eczema can become significantly better over time, and even go away completely. If you’re currently experiencing it though here are a few tips to help you live with it:
- Identify triggers. This could be a certain laundry detergent that you’re using, or something that is causing you stress. Find out what triggers you and avoid it if you can.
- Stress can be a factor in worsening eczema, and it’s always a good idea to try and stress less. Take a look at our blog on anxiety triggers, it’s a great read for anyone trying to reduce the impact of stressors on their life.
- Try not to itch. Easier said than done! Itchiness can feel like torture if you’re trying to resist it, but it is important to try and not scratch your eczema as much as you can.
Can CBD help with eczema?
Like with a great deal of skin conditions pain, inflammation, and itchiness are problems eczema sufferers have to face everyday. CBD shows great promise in helping your body deal with these symptoms, and that’s why it’s becoming such a mainstream ingredient in dermatological products. Voyager CBD soaps could be a great way for you to access this potential in your skincare routine.
Also, if you have eczema and think you might benefit from improving your wellness routine holistically, then don’t sleep on edibles! We have lots of new products to make taking CBD orally easier and more convenient than ever. Our CBD mints are a pocket sized way to take CBD on the go, and our CBD softgels are a great way to take CBD quickly with little flavour.
Cbd and your skin
CBD has shown great potential as a skincare ingredient, and science on CBD has shown promising results for CBD when it comes to problem skin. If you think that CBD might be helpful for you in soothing your skin, then take a look at our website – we’ve got a wide range of products so you can find a CBD product that fits into your daily routine. We’ve also got more on the way! We’re releasing a dedicated range for problem skin very soon, so keep a lookout for those products!
