Bring Back The Dewy Glow: CBD and Soothing Dry Skin

When winter comes, it is a great opportunity to take some time to rest and tap into essential self care routines. From foods that feel good, to simple indulgences like a hot shower or chilled eye masks – there’s an abundance of accessible wellness routines to ease stress and recover.

As the seasons start to reach its longest nights, your body can feel both mental and physical shifts, one of the most common being seasonal dry skin.

Seasonal dry skin can be frustrating, leaving your complexion dull, itchy, and rough. While winter’s crisp air and lower humidity are often to blame, you may be surprised by the amount of things we do in our daily lives that provokes excessive dry skin.

Let’s explore how CBD and soothing dry skin go hand in hand, providing hydration and relief while protecting your skin’s natural barrier. In this article, we will move through all of the causes of seasonal dry skin, and the secrets to combating dry skin with botanical remedies like hemp derived CBD.

How CBD affects your skin

It comes as no surprise that CBD has taken on the natural beauty industry by storm, for its anti-inflammatory and hydrating properties– these same effects that support healthy, bright skin may offer head-to-toe therapeutic benefits.

Dr. Nima Gharavi, a dermatologist and skin cancer surgeon at Cedars-Sinai, notes that “CBD may play a role in hydrating the skin and have anti-inflammatory effects, [which] might help with treating dry skin or certain inflammatory skin disorders.” While clinical trials are still in their early stages, topical CBD products show promise in addressing dryness, redness, and irritation.

CBD works by interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), a part of the nervous system responsible for regulating various functions, including the balance of your skin’s health. By targeting inflammation and oxidative stress, CBD can support your skin’s recovery from seasonal stressors, aches, and pains.

The 6 causes of seasonal dry skin

Overall, we can divide the culprits for seasonal dry skin into two categories: lifestyle choices and environmental factors.

Long, hot showers or baths: While comforting in cold weather, they strip your skin of its natural oils if you take them too frequently.

Harsh soaps and detergents: Many contain drying agents that disrupt your skin’s moisture balance. Some soaps may even wick away your body’s natural oils, making it harder for your skin to retain moisture.

Over-exfoliation: Sloughing off dead skin is great, and occasionally necessary. But overdoing it can leave your skin vulnerable, especially in the winter.

Dehydration: When you’re not drinking enough water, your skin reflects the deficit. This can show in your face or even across your whole body.

Cold, windy weather: Harsh outdoor conditions paired with indoor heating create the perfect storm for dry skin. This constant shift can work against your skin, leaving it unregulated.

Ageing and certain medical treatments: Both can reduce your skin’s ability to retain moisture, and can come with other effects that make us more prone to dryness year round.

Now, let’s be realistic. Some of these may be easier to avoid than others! You may be able to keep up with your hydration, but soaps or cold weather are sometimes unavoidable. Thankfully, there are ways to catch dry skin early and take extra measures to ensure you can keep your skin soft and healthy.

Recognizing these factors can help you tailor your skincare routine to better protect your skin during the colder months.

Early signs of dry skin in the winter

Before your skin becomes cracked and irritated, it often shows early signs like:

Tightness or a lack of elasticity
Flaking or peeling in small patches
Dullness or noticeable texture (like tight streaking)
Itchiness or mild inflammation

Identifying these symptoms helps to identify what is the best method of treatment or preventative self-care.

CBD Nourishes Your Skin Back to Health

CBD offers several benefits that go beyond surface hydration:

Deep Hydration: By regulating the skin’s natural oil (sebum) production, CBD keeps your skin balanced, whether it’s too oily or too dry.
Protection Against Future Damage: CBD is a powerful antioxidant that fights free radicals, preventing oxidative stress and premature ageing.
Anti-inflammatory Effects: Whether it’s redness or irritation, CBD can calm skin conditions by reducing inflammatory triggers. CBD may even show therapeutic promise for psoriasis.

Scientific studies also hint at CBD’s ability to influence the skin’s barrier function positively. For instance, it can counteract the harmful effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which damage cells and accelerate aging.

Natural Remedies to Complement CBD

While CBD is a powerful tool, combining it with other natural remedies can enhance its effects. Here are some skincare staples that work beautifully with CBD:

Aloe Vera: A natural moisturiser with anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Studies suggest it soothes symptoms of both acne and psoriasis.
Honey: Renowned for its humectant qualities, honey locks in moisture while offering antibacterial benefits. Honey’s natural ability to draw moisture into the skin has been used for centuries to treat and prevent dryness.
Coconut Oil: Rich with fatty acids, coconut oil improves hydration and strengthens the skin barrier.
Tea Tree Oil: Its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties make it ideal for calming irritated skin.

When combined with CBD, these ingredients can form a potent skincare regimen for tackling seasonal dryness.

Ways to use CBD for deep hydration

Incorporating CBD into your skincare routine is easier than ever, with a wide range of products designed for every preference. Here’s how to maximise its benefits:

CBD Bath Bombs or Oils: Create a spa-like experience while soaking in a bath infused with CBD for full-body hydration.
CBD Salves and Rubs: Perfect for targeted application on dry patches or irritated areas.
Creams and Serums: Lightweight yet effective, these are ideal for daily use under makeup or sunscreen.
CBD Beverages and Broths: Internal hydration is just as important; opt for infused drinks to complement your topical efforts.
CBD Body Oils and Butters: Rich, emollient formulas are excellent for locking in moisture after a shower.

To further amplify hydration, look for products infused with additional nourishing botanicals like chamomile, rosehip oil, or calendula.

Radiant skin all year round

CBD offers a natural and promising solution to beat seasonal dry skin, helping restore your complexion’s soft glow. While more research is necessary to fully understand its potential, the existing evidence highlights CBD’s ultra-hydrating, anti-inflammatory, and protective powerhouse for skin.

Keep your skin healthy and radiant, no matter the weather. No matter if it’s for your knees, elbows, face, or hands– CBD can help you keep your glow all year round.