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Looking for a natural product to help with acne? See how CBD may benefit breakouts.
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Treatment options for acne seem nearly endless, with home remedies and prescription topicals, oral antibiotics, and more all available.
And now, there’s yet another product for acne entering the market: CBD
Melanie Palm, MD, a board certified dermatologist at Art of Skin MD, says CBD can be an alternative acne treatment if you’re sensitive or allergic to traditional anti-acne ingredients like retinol or salicylic acid. That is as long as you’re not allergic to CBD compounds.
“I would categorize topical CBD as a potential alternative for those with mild acne, but more research is needed to determine its efficacy for moderate to severe acne,” Palm added.
The downside: It’s tough to find CBD products that are both safe for acne and safe in general, with updated certificates of analysis (COA) and certain criteria as part of our medical vetting process.
Beauty-based brands aren’t usually as versed in third party testing, and most dedicated CBD brands that regularly do third-party testing usually don’t offer beauty products — let alone any acne-specific products.
We’ve only found two products that tick all the boxes when you take a closer look. And as of April 2024, both are currently out of stock. We’ve left them here for now while we continue to vet other potential products.
Most acne treatments focus on keeping the skin clean and free of any acne-causing bacteria and minimizing the amount of excess oil that can clog pores.
CBD also aims to help manage excess oil production, in addition to providing symptom relief.
One
“It can also promote overall elasticity and hydration, which can improve the overall appearance of acne-prone skin,” Palm said.
But like most matters relating to CBD, more research is still needed to confirm the findings. If you’re curious and want to try a CBD product to see if it helps clears your skin, there are a few options we recommend.
We choose CBD products based on criteria we think are good indicators of safety, quality, and transparency.
As a part of our vetting process, we consider:
- the product’s composition, ingredients, and overall quality
- any third-party certifications
- the company’s reputation and business practices
- any lab test results
- marketing claims
Because research is limited on CBD for acne, there are very few products specifically designed to target acne that also leverage third-party testing and ingredient transparency.
We’ve spoked to a dermatologist about a handful of products and their ingredients, and ultimately found two we think could be beneficial.
Unfortunately, they both have limited availability. We’re continuing to scour for additional topical products that pass our vetting process and the approval of a dermatologist.
Best CBD moisturizer for acne
cbdMD Night Shift
- Price: $14.99
- CBD type: broad-spectrum
- CBD potency: 600 mg per 2-oz bottle
- COA: available online with batch number
This product was sold out when we last updated this article in April 2024.
It’s tempting to avoid moisturizer when you’re battling breakouts or have acne-prone skin, but hydration is still important for keeping skin healthy.
CbdMD’s Night Shift moisturizer contains hydrating ingredients that help soothe skin without clogging pores.
In addition to broad-spectrum CBD, which may help with inflammation and reduce oil production, this moisturizer contains sacha inchi peptides, rosehip seed oil, and glycerin, which act as moisturizers.
It also contains green tea extract, which Palm says can work with CBD to decrease acne-related inflammation.
Reviewers mention this product also helped them sleep better when applied at night.
Pros
- may lower acne-related inflammation
- may help with sleep
- manufactured by a transparent CBD brand
- the company offers a 60-day satisfaction guarantee
- simple ingredients list sans sulfates, parabens, dyes, or perfumes
Cons
- may cause drowsiness (use before bedtime)
- sells out quickly
Best CBD cream for acne
CBDMedic Acne Treatment Medicated Cream
- Price: $29.99
- CBD type: isolate
- CBD potency: 200 mg per 1.4-oz tube
- COA: available by email or online with a batch number
This product was sold out when we last updated this article in April 2024.
This medicated CBD product targets blemishes, blackheads, and whiteheads.
The website doesn’t offer too much information on exactly how this formula works to manage acne. But it does say that the cream is blended with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-free hemp extract and other moisturizers.
Palm says she likes that this formula includes salicylic acid — a popular ingredient for managing acne that works by exfoliating the skin and maintaining clear pores — in addition to CBD compounds.
“Products that contain salicylic acid are folliculotropic, meaning it penetrates down the hair follicle where the sebum emanates from,” she explained.
Keep in mind that cream formulas aren’t suitable for all skin types, including oily skin. Remember to patch test before applying it to your entire face to see how your skin tolerates the formula.
Pros
- contains 1% salicylic acid (an ingredient that responds to acne)
- best for whiteheads and blackheads
- manufactured by a transparent CBD brand
Cons
- you need batch numbers to access the brand’s COAs
- cream formulas aren’t good for some skin types, including oily skin
- sells out quickly
| Product | Type | Other ingredients | CBD type | CBD potency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| cbdMD Night Shift | moisturizer | green tea extract | broad-spectrum | 600 mg per 2-oz bottle |
| CBDMedic Acne Treatment Medicated Cream | cream | salicylic acid | isolate | 200 mg per 1.4-oz tube |
When you’re shopping for CBD, it’s important to keep in mind that these products aren’t all created the same.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hasn’t approved any over-the-counter (OTC) CBD products yet, so the best practice is to look very closely at products before you buy. Here’s what to look for:
- Testing: Does the product come with an up-to-date, comprehensive COA from a reputable third-party lab? This is an important factor, as the COA will tell you whether the product contains as much CBD and THC as the label says it does. It’ll also specify if the product passed tests for contaminants like mold, pesticides, and heavy metals.
- Transparency: The most trustworthy companies will be up front about where its hemp is grown and how it makes its products.
- Ingredients: Look at the ingredient list before purchasing. This will help you spot ingredients you may be allergic to. Plus, you can also check for added acne-managing ingredients like salicylic acid.
- Reputation: Some CBD brands have pending lawsuits or have gotten FDA warning letters. Research before you buy so you can avoid these brands.
Talking with a dermatologist is the best way to find a targeted approach to treating your acne. A dermatologist can determine your acne type and help you find a skin care routine or other treatment plan that works best for you.
If your breakouts are severe, interfering with your daily life, and even painful, your doctor may suggest options like prescription topicals or oral medications.
If you’re looking to fade the appearance of acne scars, chemical peels and microneedling are two popular options. In the meantime, try your best not to pick your blemishes, as this may lead to scarring and can further irritate your skin.
CBD is
- fatigue
- diarrhea
- changes in appetite
- changes in weight
It’s best to talk with your doctor before trying CBD, especially if you’re taking any medications, as CBD may interact with some medications.
It’s also essential to use caution with any new-to-you topical products. It’s always a good idea to check out the ingredients before applying the product to reduce the risk of an allergic reaction.
Performing a patch test ahead of time can also help you avoid irritation or an allergic reactions. Just put a little bit of product on the inside of your wrist and wait 24 hours to see how your skin reacts. If your skin has irritation symptoms like redness or itchiness, don’t use the product again.
Don’t apply topicals on broken skin.
At this time, there is no available research suggesting CBD can worsen acne.
But as Palm points out, there are no clinical studies supporting FDA clearance of CBD for acne treatment either.
She says the volume of studies surrounding traditionally recommended acne ingredients — like retinoids, salicylic acid, glycolic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and sulfur — supports their effectiveness.
“In most cases, these are far more effective than using CBD and are backed by clinical studies in which hundreds of participants have shown improvement in their acne,” Palm added.
Your skin, especially if it’s sensitive and prone to breakouts, may not tolerate certain skin care products due to hidden ingredients.
Performing a patch test before using your CBD acne product is always a good idea. This way, you will know how your skin may react to it before applying it to your entire face.
The research on CBD and acne is limited for now. The studies available on CBD’s possible effects on acne point to it reducing excess oil that usually leads to breakouts.
Since cystic acne tends to be severe, it’s best to visit a dermatologist if you can. They can suggest prescription medications for cystic acne if beneficial.
If you have mild hormonal acne, you may notice benefits from OTC topical skin care products like CBD. If you have severe hormonal acne, including cystic bumps, for example, a visit to your dermatologist is in order.
They can determine if your breakouts are, in fact, related to hormones. Again, more severe forms of acne usually benefit from prescription options, whether topical or oral.
A small 2019 study on mice showed that CBD compounds might enhance the look of acne scars due to their role in healing and increasing collagen levels.
However, many more research-backed treatments for improving acne scars exist, including chemical peels, laser resurfacing, and microneedling, to name a few.
Although research on CBD for acne is limited right now, available studies do suggest CBD is a promising management option for acne-prone skin.
CBD has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects on oil-producing glands. In addition, it may hinder oil production.
The CBD products listed here may have some benefits for acne. They all have encouraging reviews and come from transparent companies with overall positive reputations.
Be sure to look at ingredients carefully before buying, and always perform a patch test before applying any new-to-you product to larger areas of your skin.
Is CBD legal? The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the legal definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act. This made some hemp-derived CBD products with less than 0.3% THC legal at the federal level. However, CBD products containing more than 0.3% THC still fall under the legal definition of marijuana, making them illegal at the federal level. Some states have legalized CBD, so be sure to check state laws, especially when traveling. Also, keep in mind that the FDA has not approved nonprescription CBD products, and some products may be inaccurately labeled.