Some types of prescription and over-the-counter medications can cause side effects. In fact, using some prescription topicals for acne may cause dry, flaking, or peeling skin. Visible irritation and sun sensitivity can also be caused by acne medications.
But there are also physiological side effects that can be caused by acne medications. People using some acne treatments can experience stomach upset and lightheadedness. For this reason, many people who struggle with acne are looking for natural, affordable treatment options.
Global health and wellness studies confirm that cannabidiol or CBD oil can help with chronic inflammation. And acne-prone skin types suffer from inflammation. Can CBD oil supplements and topical skin products provide a new and natural treatment option? Without the common side-effects of other types of treatments?
What Causes Acne and Blemishes?
There are many misconceptions about acne. When someone has a skin condition, others may think it has been caused by too much junk food or lack of good hygiene. While lifestyle factors can worsen acne, it is a skin health condition that requires physician-guided treatments to improve.
Some of the most common causes of acne are as follows:
Hormones and Puberty
It is no coincidence that many adolescents develop acne inflammation when they reach puberty. When the body begins to produce androgens, skin cells start to produce sebum. Skin cells need sebum to prevent dryness.
When skin is dry, it easily cracks and can be broken, promoting an increased risk of bacterial infections. Keeping the skin moist is a function that helps immune system defenses. The problem is that the sebum can lead to clogged pores and a build-up under the surface, which causes more blemishes.
There is a correlation between acne and polycystic ovarian disease or PCOS. Women diagnosed with PCOS may develop acne scars on their face, back, neck, and chest. Acne is a common side-effect of PCOS due to the excessive production of androgens in the ovaries.
Heredity
If both your parents experienced acne-prone skin, you have a very high chance of developing the condition. When only one parent had acne-related redness and inflammation, the risk is about 50% less. There is a strong hereditary component to acne. Families can pass on hormonal conditions that can be a precursor to developing acne.
Skincare Products
Oil-based skincare products can clog pores, cause acne, and also make existing acne worse. Unfortunately, some skincare routine products that are marketed to help reduce acne may have ingredients that can cause further irritation.
Avoid products that contain:
- Lactic acid
- Salicylic acid
- Glycolic acid
- Retinoids
The listed ingredients can work for some people with blemishes and acne problems. But they are designed to speed up the turnover of skin cells. All acne begins with microcomedones, which lie beneath the surface of the skin. The cell turnover reveals the microcomedones earlier and accelerates their appearance on the surface of the skin.
One of the things many people do not know about acne treatment (including products like Accutane and Vitamin E) is that symptoms get worse before they get better. That can be frustrating, and sometimes people stop acne treatment because it doesn’t appear to be working. But for most people, symptoms improve, and clear skin conditions are achieved after a few months of treatment.
Some Prescription Medications
Unsurprisingly medications that impact hormonal levels are likely to trigger acne and skin inflammation. Many common medications used for asthma, epilepsy and muscle spasm disorders, and mental health conditions like depression or anxiety can cause acne.
The medications known for creating acne as a side effect include:
- Birth control pills.
- Lithium.
- Corticosteroids (asthma, allergy, and autoimmune disorder prescriptions).
- Lamotrigine.
- Phenytoin and other antiepileptic medications.
- Some types of cancer medications.
If you are experiencing acne and you suspect that prescription medications may be to blame, you should talk to your doctor about the side effects. In many cases, there are multiple types of prescription drugs that may work better for you, and some may not contribute to the development of acne.
Nutrition and Diet
While acne is not exclusively caused by dietary choices, the food you eat can play a part, particularly if you are already experiencing acne and eat foods that may increase skin inflammation. Did you know that some people with diabetes have a higher risk of developing acne? If you guessed sugar may be to blame, you’d be right.
A diet of foods that are low on the glycemic index reduces inflammation. That means choosing high-fiber and low-carbohydrate foods. Foods like white bread, rice, desserts, sugary beverages, and candy should be avoided if you are trying to reduce or resolve acne inflammation.
There are many foods that are full of helpful fatty acids and nutrients that can help if you have acne. Natural raw nuts like almonds or walnuts can help. Spinach and kale, navy beans, free graze or pastured eggs, fish like mackerel, salmon, or sardines, and flaxseed are all beneficial for your complexion. And may reduce outbreaks and acne blemishes.
Stress and Anxiety
If you do not have acne but lead a very high-stress life or suffer from anxiety, the good news is that it probably won’t give you acne symptoms. However, if you already have acne, it can make it a lot worse. It can increase the number of acne blemishes and the frequency of breakouts.
If you have been reading along, you now know that hormones have a significant impact on acne. When hormone levels go up, it triggers a number of metabolic changes that can increase incidents of acne. Or make a small case of blemishes far worse. Cortisol (stress hormone) levels are mostly to blame for contributing to increased problems with acne.
How Many Americans Struggle with Acne?
Acne is the leading inflammatory skin condition diagnosed in the United States. There are an estimated 50 million Americans that have been diagnosed with acne. Approximately 80% of people between the ages of 12 and 24 have experienced a diagnosis of minor, moderate, or severe acne.
Can CBD Oils and Extracts Help People With Acne?
Because the causes of acne are varied, CBD may help some people and not others. We know that acne is caused by inflammation, and many clinical studies suggest that cannabidiol extracts can help reduce inflammation. That can (in conjunction with medicinal treatments) reduce blemishes and help improve skin appearance and conditioning.
What CBD Oil Products Can You Use to Help With Acne?
Doctors may recommend two types of CBD products; tinctures and capsules. Tinctures are easy to administer with a precision dose of cannabidiol. Simply draw the dosage into the dropper and dispense it under your tongue. Hold the oil and allow it to pool under the tongue for 1-3 minutes to allow it to absorb directly into the bloodstream.
Capsules, like our easy-swallow broad-spectrum CBD supplement, are easy to take. Simply follow the instructions provided, or talk to your doctor for guidance on appropriate daily doses. Subscribing to an auto-ship program with monthly home delivery is not only convenient, but it can provide a significant discount on products on a monthly basis.
Not all CBD products are created equal. While gummies are a popular CBD product, they can have a sugar content that may not be present in other products. Sugar is clinically shown to increase inflammation in the human body. As acne is one of the most common inflammatory skin diseases, CBD gummies may not be the best choice. Increasing sugar intake daily could exacerbate acne blemishes and outbreaks.
Combining CBD Topical Creams With Daily Cannabidiol Supplements
If you are thinking of adding CBD to your treatment strategy for acne, you may be wondering if you can use more than one type of product. For example, can you take a daily oral supplement and then use cannabidiol (CBD) creams on affected areas to help reduce blemishes?
When using a CBD-infused cream, very few cannabinoids pass the skin-blood barrier. Meaning while the medicinal creams do absorb into the skin, they do not pass easily into the bloodstream. So there should be no concern about exceeding safe consumption amounts on a daily basis if you are following the dose guidance and instructions provided by the CBD manufacturer.
When you take oral CBD supplements such as CBD oil (tinctures), capsules, or tablets, the cannabidiol does pass into the bloodstream. Many clinical studies suggest that CBD can provide powerful anti-inflammatory benefits that start at the cellular level. Combining topicals and high-quality full-spectrum CBD oral supplements may help reduce inflammation and blemishes associated with acne.
Can CBD Oil-Based Topicals Help With Acne Scars?
There are no assurances that cannabidiol topical creams will help with acne. Every individual has different irritants and health conditions. However, there are many medical studies that indicate it can help improve skin health and promote healing. Which can help improve the visible appearance of acne scars.
There are different types of acne scars and visual changes that occur because of skin inflammation. For example, hyperpigmentation causes discoloration and scarring. Discoloration can range from light freckle marks to dark brown spots. And UV exposure can cause the discoloration to darken more.
Some acne blemishes can cause a scar that becomes indented. That is damage from the original blemish, and it is difficult to heal. Conversely, sometimes acne scars can “overhead,” which causes a raised scar or noticeable bump.
Some types of acne scars can be very deep and large. Cannabidiol topicals cannot help fill the divots caused by moderate to severe acne vulgaris. However, other types of cosmetic treatments include fractional laser resurfacing and chemical skin peels.
How Often Should You Try Using CBD for Acne?
Every cannabidiol (CBD) supplement manufacturer provides a daily serving recommendation. That is required by law, but that does not mean the suggested serving size is ideal for you. It is based on average consumer age and body weight and does not take into consideration individual health conditions, prescription medications, and other factors.
Before you start taking any new supplement (including CBD), make an appointment with your primary care provider or family doctor. Your physician knows your health history and current symptoms and conditions. While you do not need a prescription to use CBD, it can conflict with some health conditions you may have or medications you may be taking right now.
Your doctor can advise you on the correct serving size daily and frequency that you should take your CBD supplement. Always make sure your physician or practitioner is aware of all supplements you are taking. For most people, CBD is not contraindicated. That means it is well tolerated by most people, with few to no side effects or concerns.
Have a question about DocMJ high-quality broad-spectrum CBD oil and supplements? Contact us for more information. Also, review the certificate of analysis (COA) provided for every product. Learn more about the organic extracts and hemp-derived supplements we provide. And explore up to 25% off select products when you subscribe to our monthly auto-ship program.
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