CBD SERUM OR MOISTURIZER? WHICH SKINCARE IS MORE EFFECTIVE?

An indisputable fact is that we all need to take care of our skin to look young and healthy, especially in this era where no one wants to age. Also, CBD, otherwise known as cannabidiol, is the new hype around the globe, mostly for its therapeutic effects. Skincare products like face serums and moisturizers are on the front shelf in most households.

 CBD's ability to help treat inflammation, acne and scarring has seen most manufacturers include it in the making of skin serums and moisturizers. However, you may be wondering what this CBD is and its alleged benefits. If you consider CBD face serums and moisturizers as part of your skincare routine, here's more information to help you decide.

What Is CBD?

Firstly, what is CBD? Short for cannabidiol, CBD is a chemical compound found in cannabis plants, marijuana, and hemp. It's one of the two main active ingredients of cannabis, the other being tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is the euphoric compound of marijuana that causes a high feeling. According to Eagleston & Dellavalle (2018), CBD is a potent antioxidant and highly anti-inflammatory that has been shown to reduce lipid production from the sebaceous glands. Overproduction of this sebum is perhaps one factor that contributes to acne formation. Peyravian et al. (2022) found that CBD could prevent acne in several ways.

How Does CBD Work?

CBD interacts with cannabinoid receptors in the body's endocannabinoid system (ECS). There are receptors in every layer of the skin that triggers our body when there's pain. Topical CBD is designed to help those with eczema or psoriasis when the body's signals go haywire. For instance, it is important to target the hormones causing the eczema flare-up, but not eczema. Usually, CBD oil is used in skincare products. CBD creams, masks, serums, moisturizers, and face oils can be found. Although research into CBD is still young and more research is required to verify the efficiency of CBD oil benefits for the skin, topical CBD has no known side effects yet.

CBD Serum and Moisturizer

Skincare experts recommend that CBD skincare is all about the product. They recommend layering your skincare products from the thinnest to thickest. Moisturizers add moisture to your skin and lock in your body's natural moisture. While moisturizers may address particular problems like sun damage or aging, mostly they hydrate your skin plus maintain it there.

On the contrary, serums deeply permeate the skin to solve and reverse the effects of aging plus skin harm at the cellular level.  According to Hameed et al. (2019), serums often have more nutrients, antioxidants, and vitamins to restore skin cell structure, and enhance skin radiance, suppleness, and smoothness.

In a typical skincare routine, applying a face serum comes after cleansing so that the skin can properly absorb the active ingredients and before moisturizing. Although face serums have moisturizing ingredients, they're not a replacement for moisturizers. As earlier mentioned, moisturizers are of a heavier or thicker consistency to help lock in moisture into the skin.

How a CBD Serum Works

There are different types of face serums. Some are oil-based, and others are water-based. Water-based serums work best under moisturizers, while oil-based serums can be put on top of your moisturizer. You can apply your face serum twice daily, morning and evening, and most are safe to use every day. They contain active ingredients; always ensure you follow the label to ensure nothing else in your skincare routine interferes with your face serum's active ingredients.

 Tabassum& Hamdani (2014) showed that most skincare issues such as acne and eczema are rooted in inflammation, so finding skin products that can help and eliminate topical inflammation is essential for healthy skin.  Palmieri et al. (2019) found that CBD-enriched ointment was proven successful in improving inflammatory skin diseases. CBD face serum naturally works with ECS to reduce inflammation in the skin. By applying CBD face serum directly on cleansed skin, one can absorb natural anti-inflammatory ingredients. When choosing the best face serum, go for ingredients suited for your specific concern. For example, vitamin C serum is perfect for dull skin, while hyaluronic acid is specifically beneficial for dry skin.

How a Moisturizer Works

A moisturizer is a cream or lotion containing skin hydration emollients and creates a physical barrier against skin dehydration. Moisturizers don't penetrate the epidermis or surface layer of the skin like serums due to their large molecules. Mostly they function as a sealant, locking in nutrients plus moisture. CBD has moisturizing properties that enhance the efficiency of moisturizing creams. Also, note that moisturizers aren't just meant for dry skin. All skin types can benefit from a good moisturizer, provided the right textures and formulas are applied. Dry skin requires a richer gel cream that helps to prevent water loss.

In contrast, oily skin needs an oil-free face cream that hydrates and helps to balance sebum. Mature skin can benefit from a rich moisturizer that targets the key signs of aging. The heavier elements in moisturizing creams act as a barricade on the skin against moisture loss. However, they can also lock out active ingredients in them from your skin, making them ineffective.

Conclusion

So, whether your skin needs a serum or a moisturizer is where the layering effect comes into action. Antioxidant serums restore skin cells and fight free radicals. A moisturizer prevents moisture evaporation and acts as a barricade to protect the skin from environmental harm. You can apply serums both morning and evening to solve particular skin problems better than using a moisturizer alone. They will also enhance the moisturizing results of your moisturizer. Always check the ingredients list to ensure that your serum contains antioxidants to protect against environmental harm.

You will apply face serum to enhance your skincare routine and fight aging plus skin harm effectively. For older persons, using a face serum will greatly improve your skin. Also, people with greasy skin can use serum alone. Therefore, a moisturizer over your serum will help lock in the anti-aging actives and ingredients.

References

1. Palmieri C. Laurino M. Vadalà1; A therapeutic effect of CBD-enriched ointment in inflammatory

skin diseases and cutaneous scars (2019).

Eagleston, L. R., Kalani, N. K., Patel, R. R., Flaten, H. K., Dunnick, C. A., & Dellavalle, R. P. (2018). Cannabinoids in dermatology: a scoping review. Dermatology online journal, 24(6).

Hameed, A., Fatima, G. R., Malik, K., Muqadas, A., & Fazal-ur-Rehman, M. (2019). Scope of nanotechnology in cosmetics: dermatology and skin care products. Journal of Medicinal and Chemical Sciences, 2(1), 9-16.

Peyravian, N., Deo, S., Daunert, S., & Jimenez, J. J. (2022). The Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Cannabidiol (CBD) on Acne. Journal of Inflammation Research, 15, 2795.

Tabassum, N., & Hamdani, M. (2014). Plants used to treat skin diseases. Pharmacognosy reviews, 8(15), 52.