CBD is a relatively new addition to cosmetics, having long suffered from the bad reputation of cannabis. When cannabis was criminalized in the 1960´s, the reputation of hemp was tarnished as well, and even today many people mistakenly believe that CBD causes intoxication. In reality, the intoxicating properties come from marijuana, a different strain within the cannabis family.
Cannabidiol (CBD) is derived from hemp, while the intoxicating effects (THC) come from cannabis. Both plants belong to the hemp family, but they should not be confused with one another. CBD is not a psychoactive compound, and using it externally (or internally) does not cause intoxication.
We want to bring CBD into the spotlight because it is an excellent cosmetic ingredient that can benefit nearly every skin type. In the following, we aim to clarify a) the difference between marijuana and hemp, and b) the benefits of CBD in skincare.