Questions and answers
Can you be allergic to CBD skincare?
Short answer: yes, in rare cases, just like with any skincare. Allergy to topical CBD is unusual, but individual cases have been described. The most common causes of contact allergy to cosmetics are fragrances and certain preservatives, and our products contain neither.
Irritation or allergy?
Irritation and allergy often feel similar but are different things. Irritation comes quickly, often within minutes: the skin stings, burns or flushes where the product was applied. It usually fades when you stop.
A contact allergy usually appears after one to three days. The skin itches, turns red and eczema-like, and the rash can spread beyond where the product was used. Once you have become allergic to a substance, it usually stays that way.
The most common causes of contact allergy to cosmetics are fragrances, essential oils and certain preservatives. That is why short ingredient lists are good protection for anyone who has reacted before.
How to test safely
Patch test for 48 hours
Apply a little product to the inside of your arm or behind your ear. Wait two days, because allergic reactions can be delayed.
Stop if it itches or you get a rash
Itching, redness or small blisters? Stop immediately and rinse with lukewarm water.
Seek care for a strong reaction
If the rash spreads, or your face or lips swell, contact a doctor.
Get an allergy test
If you have reacted to several products, a dermatologist can do a patch test that shows exactly what you are allergic to.
What's in our products?
Our facial oils contain organic jojoba oil, CBD and CBG. TA-DA Serum contains jojoba oil and CBG. Au Naturel Makeup Remover contains MCT oil and CBD. No fragrance, no essential oils, no preservatives.
That lowers the risk, but not to zero. Jojoba is not a nut but the seed of a shrub, and allergy to it is rare. If you are unsure, patch test first and feel free to contact us before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
Can you be allergic to jojoba oil?
It is rare, but it happens. Jojoba is not a nut, but the seed of a shrub. Patch test if you are unsure.
Is it normal for it to sting?
No. A gentle oil should not sting. If it does, stop and let your skin rest.
Can you be allergic to hemp or CBD?
Hemp allergy exists but is uncommon, and individual cases of skin reactions to CBD have been described. If you have a known hemp allergy, you should avoid it.
Sources
- Baswan SM, Klosner AE, Glynn K, et al. Therapeutic Potential of Cannabidiol (CBD) for Skin Health and Disorders. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol 2020;13:927–942.
- Oláh A, Tóth BI, Borbíró I, et al. Cannabidiol exerts sebostatic and antiinflammatory effects on human sebocytes. J Clin Invest 2014;124(9):3713–3724.
- Tóth KF, Ádám D, Bíró T, Oláh A. Cannabinoid signaling in the skin: therapeutic potential of the c(ut)annabinoid system. Molecules 2019;24(5):918.
- Lin TK, Zhong L, Santiago JL. Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils. Int J Mol Sci 2017;19(1):70.
Article reviewed by Christopher Genberg, founder of 1753 SKINCARE.
Related articles
Questions and answers
Can you use CBD for perioral dermatitis?
Short answer: there are no studies on CBD for perioral dermatitis, so nobody can promise it helps. D...
Questions and answers
Can you use CBD with rosacea?
Short answer: CBD is not a treatment for rosacea and large clinical studies are lacking. But many pe...
Questions and answers
Can you use face oil with seborrheic dermatitis?
Short answer: carefully. Seborrheic dermatitis is linked to the yeast Malassezia, which lives on the...
Skin Barrier
Restore Skin Barrier – stop stripping, start rebuilding
A damaged barrier is rarely a mystery. More often, the stratum corneum has lost its mortar-model bal...
Skin Balance
Skin inflammation – why it keeps coming back
It’s rarely just one bad product. More often, skin inflammation is the quiet force underneath it all...
Skin Condition
Melasma treatment – why the patches keep coming back
Melasma is not just “a bit of pigmentation.” It’s the skin reacting to hormones, UV and sometimes ev...