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 people with rosacea look for gentle, fragrance-free products with few ingredients, and a simple CBD oil can fit there, as a complement to what your doctor recommends.
What is rosacea?
Rosacea is a long-term skin condition that mainly affects the centre of the face: cheeks, nose, forehead and chin. It can show up as flushing that comes and goes, small visible blood vessels, bumps and pustules, and sometimes irritated eyes.
There are different forms. Type 2, the papulopustular form, causes bumps and pustules that can look like acne but without blackheads. Common triggers include sun, heat, cold, alcohol, spicy food, stress and irritating products.
Rosacea is treated by doctors, for example with prescription creams or gels, sometimes tablets, and laser for visible blood vessels. Skincare does not replace that, but the right skincare can make daily life easier for your skin.
What tends to make the biggest difference
Get to know your triggers
Keep notes for a few weeks on food, weather, stress and products. The patterns are often clearer than you'd expect.
Sunscreen every day
Sun is one of the most common triggers. Mineral sunscreen is usually best tolerated by sensitive skin.
Lukewarm water and few steps
Hot water and long routines put a strain on the skin. Wash with lukewarm water and keep the routine short.
Avoid fragrance and essential oils
Fragrance is among the most common reasons sensitive skin reacts. Read the ingredient list, not just the front of the bottle.
What we know about CBD and rosacea
The skin has its own endocannabinoid system that helps regulate inflammation. Lab studies show that CBD can dampen inflammatory signals in skin cells, and review articles describe possible potential for sensitive and inflamed skin. But there are no large clinical studies on rosacea, so it is too early to say that CBD helps.
What we can promise is simplicity. Our facial oils contain only organic jojoba oil, CBD and CBG. TA-DA Serum contains only jojoba oil and CBG. No fragrance, no essential oils, no preservatives. Start with one product, patch test it and use it as a complement to your treatment, not instead of it.
Frequently asked questions
Can CBD make rosacea worse?
Any skincare can irritate sensitive skin, even gentle products. Fragrance, alcohol and essential oils are more common culprits than CBD. Always patch test first and stop if your skin gets redder or stings.
Can I use CBD oil alongside my prescription cream?
Ask your doctor or pharmacist first. If they have no objection, people usually apply the prescription cream first and the oil afterwards, once the cream has absorbed.
What does rosacea type 2 mean?
Type 2 is the papulopustular form, with bumps and pustules on a flushed background. It is sometimes mistaken for acne and is often treated by doctors with prescription medication.
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.
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