Have you ever stood in the checkout lane of your grocery store and been surprised by how many CBD-infused skincare and body care products they have available? You may just register (no pun intended) it as just another health-nut, superfood-crazed trend, but shockingly enough, it's actually become like, a thing.

The global CBD skincare market is estimated to be valued at over $580 million, with North America at the top of the list. By 2025, the industry is expected to hit $1.7 billion. 

Where did all of this come from? Why is it that even Sephora carries CBD-infused skincare products? If you haven't been paying attention to the CBD market, this can all seem like it just appeared out of nowhere. However, numbers don't lie and CBD has proven to be beneficial for your skin. 

What Is CBD?

Short for cannabidiol, it is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid that doesn't make you high. It is one of the most prevalent active ingredients of the cannabis plant and people generally rely on CBD for anxiety, insomnia, chronic pain, and extreme cases of epilepsy in children.

CBD is legal in all 50 states as a supplement. Furthermore, according to the 2018 Farm Bill, cannabinoids derived from industrial hemp, containing less than 0.3% THC, are legal.

How Is It Good For Your Skin?

Known for its healing properties, CBD offers antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, which makes it ideal for individuals needing anti-aging skincare and who have sensitive skin. CBD products are also effective in fighting acne as it helps reduce the production of sebum. Some studies have also shown that CBD can be effective in treating eczema and psoriasis. 

How To Shop For CBD-infused Skincare

All CBD-infused products are formulated using full-spectrum CBD oil, broad-spectrum CBD oil, or CBD isolate. 

Full-spectrum CBD Oil contains all the compounds found in hemp, including trace amounts of THC.  Broad-spectrum CBD Oil contains a range of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids (i.e. antioxidants) derived from hemp, but no THC.

CBD isolate is the purest type of CBD. It doesn’t contain any other compounds typically found in hemp and is the best for your skin. It doesn't clog your pores and is jam-packed with antioxidants for rejuvenating the skin. You'll want to pay close attention to see which of these three are listed on the product's label. 

Do not confuse Hemp Seed Oil or Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil with CBD oil. CBD oil is extracted from the leaves and flowers of the hemp plant. It's a finer and lighter oil compared to Hemp Seed Oil, which tends to be greasier.

Another essential step is to determine the amount of CBD in a product. If you are looking for lotions and oils for pain relief or anxiety, you will need a product with a higher CBD percentage for it to be effective.

Above all, the most important factor to consider is the quality of the product you're purchasing. According to a 2017 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, over 60% of CBD products listed online are mislabeled. Make sure you trust the brand by doing some research and ensure that the product contains exactly what is expressed on the label.