You are probably aware that CBD oil has a plethora of healing qualities, although currently in NZ you are not able to purchase it without a prescription and it’s very expensive. There is however another product available over the counter that contains all of the naturally occurring compounds within the hemp plant.

NZ Hempress Hemp Oil With Terpenes is packed full of beneficial compounds and can often be used instead of CBD oil. The terpenes in this oil support the endocannabinoid system, the system that keeps the body in a state of balance by regulating the body’s functions of sleep, mood, pain, appetite, hormone, and immune responses.

Although you probably remember learning about mitochondria and the Cold War back in high school, there’s one lesson we all wish we learned then: that leaving our teen years behind does not necessarily mean being acne-free.

While most of us hoped that our breakouts would be the least of our worries after our prom photos were taken and our dorm rooms were moved into, the reality is that it is completely normal (and unfortunately common) for people to get acne well into their twenties and thirties and beyond.

If you still struggle with blackheads and zits, it may be weighing down your self-esteem. Of course, no one should feel embarrassed or insecure about acne, but for many of us, we would still prefer to enjoy clear skin.

You may have tried over-the-counter drugstore products, do-it-yourself face masks from the Internet, or even dermatologist-prescribed medications to treat your acne. If nothing has been successful so far, there is help. One potential new solution is CBD oil and the other is Hemp Oil With Terpenes.

What Is CBD?

You might not be familiar with CBD and CBD products, and hemp oil. If you are, you might be thinking, “hey that is just marijuana, right?” You may also be thinking: “how will that help me with my skin?”

Yes, cannabidiol (CBD) is a cannabinoid derived from hemp. This is all scientific jargon to say that, yes, CBD is made from cannabis—but with a twist.

CBD is not the same as THC, which is the chemical that makes you high when you smoke or consume marijuana. This means that, even if you wanted to get high or buzzed from CBD, it will not happen. It simply does not have the same effect as THC.

However, research shows that there may be a number of medical benefits associated with CBD. Compared to a lot of other products on the market, CBD is just starting to receive the attention from researchers that it deserves, but so far studies are showing CBD can be an effective treatment for anxiety and seizures.

Is CBD Truly a Reliable Acne Treatment?

Before answering that question, it is important to understand that skin health is one of the many things that are influenced by our endocannabinoid system (to keep the scientific language to a minimum, this is the same bodily system that cannabis products, including CBD and THC, interact with). Our endocannabinoid system is the reason why cannabis products can influence so many aspects of our health, and why people experience such a broad range of results when using them.

So, it makes sense that CBD products can have an effect on the general health of our skin and even treat acne. In fact, CBD is now being used in more and more beauty products. So far, research has suggested that cannabidiol oil can influence our skin health in two distinct ways: reducing inflammation and regulating oil production.

Reducing Inflammation

Inflammation is a leading symptom of acne—it is the reason why, even under a thick layer of foundation, your zit will remain red and obviously visible. By reducing inflammation, you can reduce the appearance of acne and speed the healing process.

So far, research has pointed to CBD has an anti-inflammatory effect, which, in turn, could improve the health of your skin.

Regulating Oil Production

Although inflammation is an all too common symptom of acne, oil production is the actual underlying cause. Sebum, which is produced in the sebaceous glands, is a naturally occurring oil used to lubricate your skin, but when it is over-produced, your pores end up clogged and a break-out erupts. You end up with oily skin and clogged pores through dead skin cells.

Studies are starting to show that CBD can be used to not only manage the unpleasant symptoms of acne but address the root causes as well through regulating the glands that produce sebum. This can help keep your pores clean and reduce acne without drying out your skin.

Other Skin Care Tips

When it comes to dealing with acne, there are a lot of different factors at play. Some people are genetically more likely to break out while others mainly notice acne appear with behavioural changes, such as a poor diet or stressful work life. Likewise, some people will notice acne primarily during puberty, while others will battle with it well into adulthood.

Whether or not you think that CBD is right for you, there are other actions you can incorporate into your lifestyle to prevent acne and heal breakouts, including:

Avoid over washing your face: although it may be tempting, washing more than twice a day can be damaging to your skin in the long run

If you wear makeup, remember to remove it before going to bed

Try to cut greasy, heavily processed foods from your diet

Stay hydrated throughout the day

Do not forget to moisturize, but choose an oil-free product

Avoid touching your face throughout the day

Wash your pillowcases often and keep your phone screen clean

Talk to a dermatologist if your current routine is not working and your acne is severe

How to Use CBD for Acne

If you are interested in using CBD for acne, you might be wondering the best way to start taking it. You might even be wondering if it is safe and legal.

The good news is that CBD is a safe product that millions of people are already using worldwide—and as it does not contain THC.

As mentioned before, more research on CBD is underway than ever before, so far studies have been focusing on it being taken orally or transdermally (directly on the skin) when it comes to acne treatment.  For this reason, it is up to you. You might want to start by taking a tincture or edible product, and see if you notice an improvement.

You can also purchase skin care products that contain CBD or purchase a tincture and create your own home treatments (in the long run, this option might save you money and ensure that you know exactly which products are ending up in your skin care products).

Ultimately, the choice is yours—whether you wish to use it as a face wash or take it orally, the only thing you have to lose is your pesky acne.

This article first appeared on SundayScaries.