There’s a lot of talk of a “new” ingredient in the cosmetics industry and its benefits. But in fact, there is nothing new about cannabis.
Information and statistics on its use and benefits are widely available. In our opinion, the most important thing to keep in mind is that people have been using this plant in different ways for more than 8,000 years.
Cannabis is used to make hemp, which has multiple uses and benefits. For example, from the 16th to the 19th century, it was an essential material in the textile industry, competing directly with cotton. A curious fact in this regard is that King Henry VIII of England required all farmers to allocate part of their land for the growing of hemp in order to produce sails for the navy.”
However, in the 20th century, the word "hemp" began to gain a bad reputation and was directly linked to the psychotropic substance THC, as reflected in the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of March 30, 1961 in New York.
Beyond the issue of why this natural substance was “banished” from society, while the consumption of other harmful substances has been encouraged, we would like to explain how this ingredient has evolved and become one of the most sought-after compounds in cosmetics today.
As trivial as it may sound, it all comes down to legal loopholes that arise when certain restrictions are imposed. As such, both hemp leaves and seeds are excluded from the list of narcotic drugs, so hemp seed oil (Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil) can be used in cosmetics as long as the THC content does not exceed 2% (according to European legislation).
The first thing you should know is that the human body has an endocannabinoid system. Discovered in the 1990s, it produces two types of receptors present in cannabidiol, more commonly known as CBD. This system is very important, as it regulates the majority of the physiological processes in your body on a daily basis. In other words, it keeps your body balanced despite external variables.
So what happens if your endocannabinoid system doesn’t work correctly?
You get sick.
Returning to the subject of receptors, it’s important to identify where these two types of receptors are located:
CB1 receptors (linked to THC): they are mainly concentrated in your brain.
CB2 receptors (linked to CBD): they are concentrated in both your immune system and nervous system. But they are also present in your liver, heart, kidneys, blood vessels, and endocrine glands.
As we indicated above, the oil approved for use in cosmetics must come from hemp leaves or seeds. These seeds are rich in omegas 3 and 6, which are well-known for their regenerating and moisturizing properties and highly beneficial to the skin.
However, the benefits of CBD go much further, because your skin also has cannabinoid receptors that help to maintain and protect it. For example, the endocannabinoid system is involved in various skin conditions, such as dryness and acne. It plays an essential role in controlling the skin’s condition, as it helps to regulate the growth and differentiation of skin cells.
Some studies also point to CBD as an adaptogenic agent, helping the skin to adapt to different environmental states and thus preventing it from being damaged; this makes it quite beneficial to sensitive skin.
Another reason why CBD is increasingly present in cosmetics is that it has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antioxidant properties.
In fact, CBD has a long list of benefits, but in our case, we only want to explain those closely related to the skin. We hope that we have helped you to understand why this ingredient is interesting and holds potential. However, don’t be fooled by long lists of benefits. Remember, there are no magical solutions, and the fact that your mascara contains CBD probably won’t benefit your body in any way.
