Our skin is our largest organ and the body's first line of defense. As such, this protective layer has a high amount and concentration of cannabinoid receptors.

Topical administration (creams, lotions, oils, ointments) applied directly to the skin can be a unique solution for local relief of pain, inflammation and other skin problems such as rashes, acne, eczema and psoriasis. Our skin is our largest organ and the body’s first line of defense. As such, this protective layer has a high amount and concentration of cannabinoid receptors. Cannabinoid receptors are part of the endocannabinoid system – our own system for controlling and regulating many critical bodily functions. Cannabinoid signaling in our skin is strongly involved in the maintenance of homeostasis (balance) of the skin and in the establishment and regeneration of the skin barrier (protective barrier).

Among others, the endocannabinoid system is involved in:
stress response, e.g. in case of skin damage due to UV rays and other external influences, …
regulation of pain, e.g. in case of injuries, joint diseases,…
regulation of inflammation – inflammation is a companion of many diseases and skin injuries
regulating the immune system, it plays a role in regulating the release of histamine, which is the main player in allergic reactions
regulation of oil production in the skin by acting on the sebaceous glands. Disorders in the functioning of the sebaceous glands play a role in the formation of acne, seborrhea and also in skin diseases associated with excessive drying of the skin, such as e.g. atopic dermatitis.

In addition to cannabinoid receptors, our skin also contains many other receptors on which CBD acts, including vanilloid receptors type 1 and 2, which play a role in the transmission of pain stimuli and the inflammatory response. The results of a 2019 clinical study (Palmieri et al., 2019), where CBD-enriched ointments were tested in inflammatory skin diseases and scars, showed that topical treatment with CBD-enriched ointments increases skin elasticity and hydration, inhibits excessive sebum secretion ( fat secreted by the sebaceous glands) and reduces itching. Anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory effects of CBD have also been observed in patients with acne scars. These effects could be related to the specific sebostatic action of CBD, which 1. normalizes pathological lipogenesis (fat production) induced by “pro-acne” factors; 2. inhibits the proliferation (multiplication) of cells and 3. prevents the action of TLR receptors (toll-like receptors) or “pro-acne” factors, thereby preventing the rise of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
The study also clearly showed that cannabinoids reduce the proliferation (multiplication) of keratinocytes and thus demonstrate therapeutic potential in psoriasis, where dead keratinocytes are deposited on the surface of the skin and peel off. In the study, no skin irritation or allergic reactions were observed after application of the CBD-enriched ointment. The results of this clinical study coincide with the results of other studies (Olah et al., 2016; Ramot et al., 2016; Pucci et al., 2016; Wilkinson and Williamson, 2016; Stander et al., 2016; Olah et al., 2017 ; Trusler et al., 2017 ;), which also showed the impact of CBD on sebostatic and anti-inflammatory action, the role of cannabinoids in the expression of keratin, the epigenetic control of skin differentiation genes through phytocannabinoids, the role of the endocannabinoid system in skin diseases (including atopic dermatitis, eczema, contact dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis and chronic itching), inhibition of keratinocyte proliferation and the role of cannabinoid receptor activators in soothing itching.

Our own endocannabinoid system is responsible for the control and regulation of many critical body functions. Cannabinoid signaling in our skin is strongly involved in the maintenance of skin homeostasis, the maintenance and regeneration of the skin barrier and is involved, among other things, in the response to stress, in the regulation of pain, inflammation, the immune system and also in the regulation of oil production in the skin by acting on the sebaceous glands. Disturbances in the functioning of the endocannabinoid system are believed to contribute to many common diseases and disorders, such as atopic dermatitis, acne, psoriasis, scleroderma, itching, etc. Studies show that CBD and other cannabinoids can be effective in soothing irritated skin, reducing inflammation and redness, helping to reduce the visible signs of aging, and have strong potential in clearing acne and treating many skin conditions (including atopic dermatitis, eczema, contact dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis and chronic itching). The advantage of products containing CBD and other cannabinoids from industrial hemp is that, in addition to the rich content of nutrients, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity, they also work at the level of regulation and establishment of balance, and thus by supporting our own endocannabinoid system, we can preserve or restore the health and elasticity of the skin and shine, and we help it cope with harmful environmental factors (UV radiation or exposure to the sun, exposure to extreme temperatures or sudden changes in temperature, aggressive cosmetic products – soaps, tonics, scrubs,… washing too often, air pollution, smoking,…)