CBD for Wrinkles: Topical CBD Creams or CBD Oils?

CBD Oil For Wrinkles or Topical CBD Creams? 

The skincare business is a massive one, particularly when it comes to the fight against visible signs of aging. One of the tell-tale signs of aging is wrinkles, be they fine or deep. Have you heard about CBD oil for wrinkles?

While wrinkles are an inevitable part of the aging process, there may be some things we can do to slow them down and even minimize their appearance, and the products we apply to our skin may be one of them. 

It’s estimated that the global anti-aging market is worth an astounding $50.2 billion, which is a testament to the desire that many consumers have to maintain a more youthful look as they age. 

No doubt, there’s a myriad of anti-aging sun care products on the market, each with its own active ingredients that promise younger-looking skin and fewer wrinkles. 

But it’s not uncommon for many of these products to be filled with other chemicals and ingredients that may not necessarily be conducive to good health. 

Luckily, there are more natural products available that may also be effective at targeting wrinkles. many of them are infused with cannabidiol (CBD), an abundant non-psychoactive cannabinoid in the cannabis plant that has been proven to possess a number of medical properties. 

It has also been shown to have a potential effect on promoting healthier skin, including the possibility of minimizing the look of wrinkles. But CBD topicals for wrinkles come in different formats, including CBD oil and CBD creams. 

The question is, which one is better for the specific job of minimizing the look of wrinkles on the skin? CBD oil for wrinkles or CBD topicals?

So, What is CBD Exactly?

As mentioned, CBD is a compound found abundantly in the hemp plant. Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) – another abundant cannabinoid also found in cannabis, mainly marijuana plants – CBD is non-psychoactive and will not induce any mind-altering effects when consumed. 

When obtained from the hemp plant, CBD products have been mandated to contain no more than 0.3% THC, which is the legal federal limit. 

Thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill which removed legal restrictions on hemp-derived CBD on a federal level, CBD extracted from hemp plants is considered a legal substance. 

Many scientific studies have been conducted on the cannabinoid’s therapeutic potential over the years, showing the cannabinoid’s plethora of medical benefits for addressing a number of conditions.

Some of these include; alleviating pain, reducing inflammation, calming anxiety, and even more serious conditions such as epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Lately, the cannabinoid has also been shown to be beneficial to the skin, helping to promote a more youthful glow, improve hydration, and even combat acne. 

Considering this, it’s no wonder that an increasing number of cosmetics companies are incorporating this ingredient into their skincare products in an effort to help consumers better their skin health.

How Are Wrinkles Caused?

Wrinkles are part of the natural aging process, and as people get older, the skin becomes thinner, less elastic, and more vulnerable to damage from external stressors like the sun’s UV rays which can break down collagen and elastin fibers in the skin. 

This inevitably leads to creases and lines on the skin. Most wrinkles usually appear on areas of the body that are most exposed to the environment, such as the face and neck. 

Some people may have much more pronounced wrinkles because of genetics and lifestyle factors, such as smoking. 

Facial expressions can also cause fine lines as the muscles in the face move; for instance, “laugh lines” are caused by repeated smiling or frowning, and “crows feet” can be due to repeated squinting. 

In younger people, the skin is supple and elastic, allowing it to bounce back easier. But as a person ages, the skin loses its elasticity, which does not allow the skin to spring back so easily, thereby leading to wrinkles. 

Oxidative stress is also a contributor to wrinkles and is caused by an imbalance of free radicals and antioxidants in the body. 

Free radicals are oxygen-rich molecules with an uneven number of electrons, allowing them to easily react with other molecules. 

In turn, free radicals are associated with the damage of cells in the body, thereby causing aging.  

CBD’s Role in Preventing and Combating Wrinkles

The role that CBD may play in fighting wrinkles may come down to a couple of things, one of which is fighting the oxidative stress that is caused by free-radical damage and can contribute to the early signs of aging, including wrinkles. 

There is a growing body of evidence to support the notion that the cannabinoid may be able to fight oxidative stress and indirectly help reduce the signs of aging.

CBD’s role in this process comes down to its interaction with the endocannabinoid system, which includes the CB1 and CB2 receptors that are found all over the body. 

CBD’s interaction with these endocannabinoid receptors may help to minimize the damaging effects of free radicals and offset oxidative stress, thereby helping to fight the visible signs of wrinkles that may have otherwise resulted. 

Inflammation may also contribute to the early onset of wrinkles. When the skin becomes irritated, certain agents may be released that can cause inflammatory damage and end up destroying collagen and elastin, which are vital for maintaining the skin’s structure. 

In turn, this can inevitably lead to the formation of wrinkles. CBD may be able to counter this inflammation and thereby help to minimize the development of wrinkles thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. 

Studies have shown that the non-psychoactive cannabinoid can reduce the inflammatory response in the body by regulating the production of specific proteins involved in inflammation thanks to its influence on CB2 receptors of the endocannabinoid system. 

CBD Oil vs. CBD Creams for Wrinkles: Which is Better?

There are several CBD topical product variations on the market, including oils and creams. But when it comes to fighting wrinkles, which one is superior? 

The truth is, both can be beneficial, as long as the CBD itself is a high-quality one that is extracted from a hemp plant harvested in ideal conditions. 

Developing a high-quality CBD hemp oil or cream first requires a quality cannabis plant; without organic, pure plants, a high-quality CBD product is tough to create. The oil or cream serves as the medium in which the CBD is incorporated. 

When applied directly to the skin, the cannabinoid contained within the oil or cream is absorbed into the skin and is then free to interact with the endocannabinoid receptors found near the skin’s surface and helps to work its magic to fight wrinkles and promote healthier younger-looking skin. 

CBD topicals are ideal modes of application when it comes to treating the skin, whether it’s for wrinkles or any other issue that may be compromising the skin’s health and esthetics.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, whether you consume CBD oil or cream doesn’t seem to matter much in terms of its effect on wrinkles. 

The biggest difference is the consistency of each product and therefore how it may feel on the skin when it is applied. 

The specific product that you choose will ultimately come down to your preference, so before consuming the cannabinoid, we suggest that you speak with your doctor to find what best suits your needs.