It’s no secret that natural and organic skincare products offer a multitude of benefits for our skin, as well as the environment. However you may have started noticing a new acronym popping up on labels of many skincare products: CBD. It’s everywhere these days: oils, gummies, capsules and any kind of skin care product you can imagine.

CBD, or cannabidiol, the compound found in the cannabis plant, has been making waves in the health and wellness industry for its potential benefits. 

The situation in Australia though is complicated. CBD oil is technically legal, but it’s classified as a  Schedule 4 drug. This means medicinal CBD, used for the treatment of physical and psychological conditions, requires a doctor’s prescription. However as there’s growing interest in CBD in Australia, the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration seems to be reviewing its approach to the ingredient. 

In December 2020, the TGA announced the “down scheduling” of some CBD products containing low-dose cannabidiol to “Schedule 3”. In theory that makes it legal for over-the-counter purchase. The one issue? As noted by Australian Access Clinics, no products that meet the TGA requirements for Schedule 3 actually exist. But that doesn’t mean you won’t find CBD in your beauty products yet.

Hemp-Derived CBD Beauty Products in Australia

Beauty products with hemp-derived CBD are accessible in Australia. So what is the difference? 

When we talk about CBD there are two strains of cannabis sativa being referred to: one is hemp and the other is cannabis. Both are technically cannabis sativa, but they contain different levels of CBD and THC. Furthermore, both strains are subject to very different legal restrictions, depending on where you are in the world.

The hemp strain commonly referred to as “industrial hemp” has higher levels of CBD and lower levels of THC. As of the time of writing (2023), in Australia only CBD that naturally occurs in hemp oil is permitted in cosmetics. The amount of CBD in hemp oil is much lower than what’s allowed in the United States. The only requirement in the US is that cannabis sativa derivatives contain less than 0.3 percent THC.

When it comes to skincare, hemp-derived CBD products still have plenty of benefits. Hemp seed oil is packed with omega-3 and 6 fatty acids, is a potent antioxidant and is anti-inflammatory. All great for your skin.

While we wait for other forms of CBD to become available in Australia, there are plenty of good-for-your-skin, hemp-derived CBD beauty products hitting shelves. There’s also cannabis sativa-rich skincare products (which have been available for some time!).

The benefits of CBD in skincare

So what exactly is CBD doing in moisturisers, serum and cleansers? What are the benefits for your skin and is it worth the premium price tag?

First things first, compared to THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, CBD is  not psychoactive, which means that ingesting it or putting it on your skin will not cause you to feel “high." Instead, the buzz around CBD is in its therapeutic benefits. While most of these are related to a bunch of whole-body symptoms such as pain, anxiety or insomnia, there are a few related to skin care as well. 

Dr. Nima Gharavi, dermatologist and skin cancer surgeon at the Cedars-Sinai Cosmetic Dermatology Program, says CBD may play a role in hydrating the skin and have anti-inflammatory effects. 

Generally, CBD is known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and pain-relieving properties, which makes it a great ingredient to incorporate into skincare products.  While research is ongoing, what is known so far seems to back this up.

The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits of CBD on the skin can include:

• Regulate oil production. The overproduction of sebum is thought to be a contributing factor of acne. 
• CBD may have an anti-inflammatory effect on sebocytes, the skin cells that produce sebum.
• Helps reduce inflammation which is one of the leading causes of skin issues such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis. It’s also a powerful antioxidant, which  means it can help to protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals. As an anti-inflammatory, CBD may be able to help reduce swelling, pain, and redness from existing breakouts, or irritation.
• Hydrates dry skin with suggestions that CBD may be effective for dry, dehydrated skin. 

If you are looking for a great source of CBD products we can highly recommend Kiara in the UK and EMPE in the US. Both ship to Australia and offer products with therapeutic levels of CBD across a range of products from skin creams, tinctures, gels, gummies and oils.