We buy and use CBD creams, sprays, and gels all the time. However, do we actually know what we’re doing?
The written instructions on product labels are fairly easy to understand, but that isn’t necessarily always going to be the best way to use them. Everyone from beauty gurus to consumers to skin care experts have different opinions on not just how you should use a product, but how often as well.
To make things a little simpler, we’ve taken the time to devise a helpful guide of sorts that you can use as your starting point, and experiment from there depending on what works best for you.
In this blog, we’ll go over the basic information you should know about how often topical CBD products are used. But before we get into that, here’s some basic information on CBD and a little intro into CBD topicals.
What Is CBD?
CBD stands for cannabidiol, a naturally existing chemical compound, or cannabinoid, found in different varieties of cannabis, such as hemp. Because CBD is non-psychoactive, there aren’t many laws surrounding its use and production – which played a large part in increasing CBD’s medical intrigue.
Thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, CBD is federally legal when it’s derived from strains of hemp containing less than 0.3 percent THC by dry weight. Of course, states are also able to make their own laws regarding CBD and THC.
CBD can be derived from both marijuana and hemp, but since hemp is legal in all 50 states, it’s more useful to manufacturers. Recreational marijuana, on the other hand, is only legal in 19 states.
Thanks to its many benefits, CBD is a popular ingredient in various supplements and health products.
What Is Topical CBD?
CBD can be used in a multitude of ways, but if you’re looking to increase the health of your skin, topical CBD is your best bet.
Topical CBD comes in many different forms including creams, lotions, balms, salves, gels, and anything else that you might apply to your skin. Once infused with CBD, topicals moisturize while delivering all of the best benefits of CBD to where you need them most, all from a single convenient package.
Depending on their active ingredients, most topicals will have a “warming” or “cooling” sensation while the rest will feel no different from other topicals.
How Is CBD Absorbed Through the Skin?
Once infused, CBD and the rest of the cannabinoids sink into your skin and go to work.
Topical
By penetrating the uppermost layer of skin, CBD topicals like lotions and creams solely affect a targeted area without entering your bloodstream.
Transdermal
Transdermal CBD products, on the other hand, are able to sink past your uppermost layer of skin down to your bloodstream. Gels and skin patches are just two of the most popular transdermal products.
Although transdermal products can bypass several barriers in your system, including your digestive system, transdermal CBD is one of the least used methods of using CBD.
How Often Can You Use CBD?
How much and how often you use CBD is largely a personal preference and often depends on your body composition as well. CBD is gentle and safe enough to be used continuously. That being said, it’s perfectly normal to have additional questions such as:
How much CBD should I use the first time?
Like everything else, it’s always a good idea to gradually ease yourself into it. If you’re not sure how much CBD you should be using, take a look at the recommended serving size on the back of the package for a good starting point. Or feel free to cut that in half if you want to be a little extra careful.
This way you can gauge how well it works for you and how your body reacts. If everything looks good, you can slowly increase the amount you use over time until you see your desired results.
Should I take more CBD if it doesn’t work?
When it comes to CBD, patience is key. It can take time for CBD to build up in your system, so you may not see results immediately. It’s recommended that you continue with a consistent amount of CBD for at least a week before increasing how much CBD you use or how often.
If you’re in need of something that will work a little faster, try aiming for a product that has a stronger CBD formula.
Find a CBD regimen that suits your needs
Your body composition can affect how quickly CBD works within your system and how much CBD you need based on your height, metabolism, weight, and a handful of other factors. Stick with the recommended serving size listed on the back of the package, adjusting as needed depending on the benefits you see and what your specific needs are.
When is the best time of day to apply CBD?
There is no right or wrong time to use CBD. Some products are designed to be used whenever you need them most, while others are made with a specific purpose in mind, such as increasing your quality of sleep. In which case, they’re made to be taken within a few hours of sleep.
The best way to use CBD is by developing whatever regimen or routine works best for you. This way you can use the products that work best for you whenever it is most convenient.
Lastly, there are a few factors you should take into consideration when choosing between various CBD products, including:
- Potency – The strength of a particular CBD formula should be the first thing you look at when choosing a CBD product. The stronger the formula, the less frequently you’ll need to use it.
- Form of CBD – There are three main forms of CBD extracts. The first is CBD isolate, a form of pure CBD which contains no other cannabinoids or terpenes.
The second type is broad spectrum CBD, which includes all cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids extracted from the hemp plant except for THC.
The third, full spectrum CBD is similar to broad spectrum except that it does contain THC. A minimal amount (less than 0.3 percent).
The CBD formula of a particular product should be taken into consideration, and may change how often you should use a particular CBD product. Especially if it has THC in it.
- How the CBD is used (sublingual, topical, etc.) – The way you use CBD also impacts how powerful or effective it will be. Each delivery method has a different bioavailability, effectiveness, and duration. This also means the amount of active CBD that remains in your system will vary depending on the delivery method.
- Your CBD goals – A gentle CBD topical may be all you need if your only concern is dry skin. Likewise, the stronger your problem, the stronger the solution will need to be.
How Often Can You Use Topical CBD?
That answer depends on which delivery method you choose. Different brands will have different recommendations and guidelines on how often their products should be used. In order to get you started, here’s a general guide to using the different forms of topical CBD, and how often you should use them.
- CBD Cleanser (Daily)
No matter what your skincare routine looks like, you can’t skip using a cleanser. And if you have oily skin, you may actually benefit from cleansing twice a day (both in the morning and at night).
- CBD Moisturizer (Daily)
No face care routine is complete without a daily moisturizer. No matter whether you have dry, combination, or oily skin, all skin types need a moisturizer to help balance the hydration of your skin.
Oily or combination skin types may only need to moisturize once a day, either in the morning or evening. Meanwhile, dry skin types might benefit from using a CBD moisturizer both in the morning and at night.
- SPF with CBD (Daily)
All good skincare regimens include sunscreen. After cleansing and moisturizing your skin, it’s important to add a layer of protection. And depending on the strength of your sunscreen, you might need to reapply every few hours.
- CBD Mask (Weekly)
Using a CBD face mask once a week is reminiscent of a spa experience. Not only is it relaxing, but the CBD infused into the mask can also offer targeted benefits.
For the best results, focus on choosing a CBD mask based on which skin-correcting properties you need most, such as a sulfur acne mask to dry out pimples or a lavender-scented mask to help you fall asleep at night.
- CBD Exfoliator (Weekly)
It might be tempting to scrub your face every day to see that glow you love, but that’s not a great idea for your skin. CBD exfoliators are only meant to be used at most once or twice a week.
Over-exfoliating can actually damage your skin, creating small tears, exposing your pores to bacteria, and leaving your skin more irritated than it started.
- CBD Spot Treatments (Only as needed)
Some skin care products, like CBD spot treatments, are designed to only be used on an as-needed basis. Unless you’re currently suffering from an acne breakout, it’s not recommended that you use something like a spot treatment on a regular basis.
- Minor Pain Relieving CBD Creams (Only as needed)
Most pain relieving CBD creams include additional active ingredients to help relieve minor aches and discomforts.
Pain relief CBD creams may have different directions as to their use and how many times a day you should apply them, so be sure to read them carefully. However, a general rule of thumb for CBD creams is that you only apply them for a maximum of five times per day for a week.
Conclusion
Unlike prescription medication, non-prescription supplements like topical CBD don’t have strict serving sizes and rules for their frequency of use. How often you apply CBD topicals depends on their strength, purpose, and your specific needs. Although the recommended serving size listed on the package should be taken into consideration as well.
CBD works well with your body’s natural system, but even so, reactions to specific compounds and cannabinoids may vary. Once you know how your body reacts and responds to CBD, you can either increase or decrease how much CBD you use until you find your perfect regimen.