DR. Michael Haslam, OTO’s Very Own CBD Expert Answers All Your CBD Skincare Queries
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aved about by the likes of Jennifer Aniston and Gwyneth Paltrow, CBD is such a sought-after ingredient in the beauty industry right now as it offers a powerful, and crucially, entirely natural solution for many skincare concerns. By bringing your body back into balance, CBD can help you radiate confidence and beauty from within. It is an incredibly versatile ingredient that when applied topically, or ingested orally, can help with both dry and oily skin, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and calming inflammation.
OTO CBD; thought-leaders, category-innovators and pioneers in the CBD space share their ever expanding knowledge and findings on this wonder molecule. OTO’s very own scientist and all-round CBD boffin, Dr Michael Haslam, author of The CBD Journey, is here to answer all your CBD questions!
Why is CBD used in skincare?
What is CBD?
CBD stands for cannabidiol, a completely natural compound derived from the hemp plant. Unlike its counterpart—THC—CBD is non-intoxicating and has been declared safe by the World Health Organisation.
Our bodies produce very similar molecules to CBD on their own, known as endogenous cannabinoids. All cannabinoids, whether produced by the body or extracted from the hemp plant, react with a network of receptors found in the body, known as the Human Endocannabinoid system (HES). The cannabinoids found in CBD act as messengers to other receptors that help manage pain, inflammation, muscle control, and more. The HES is responsible for creating homeostasis – or balance – within the body, as well as helping to regulate physiological functions such as our natural sleep cycle. Cannabinoids are made by our body on demand and are not stored or constant: often levels can deplete. By supplementing our natural cannabinoids with plant-based CBD, it can help restore fine-scale balance (homeostasis) within the body.
Does CBD affect people differently depending on their individual needs?
On a day-to-day basis our skin is affected by a variety of both external irritants, such as harsh weather and pollution, and internal changes, like fluctuations in hormones, stress levels and sleep. CBD brings our body back into balance as we constantly face modern challenges that threaten to disturb our natural recovery pattern.
For instance, CBD has been shown in pre-clinical trials to aid with conditions such as dry skin or overactive skin oil production. CBD is not a cure for these conditions, but nudges the body towards a healthy state. By adding CBD regularly to your skin, you are building up a protective layer that doesn’t just help reduce problems, it can act to prevent them occurring in the first place.
How effective are CBD’s anxiety-relieving benefits in skincare?
However, at OTO we combine CBD in skincare with hand picked Ayurvedic botanicals and terpenes chosen for their functional benefits and scents. These essential oil extracts enhance your wellbeing through stimulating your senses. Some terpenes also help CBD move more easily through the epidermis, so you should always look for products with those ingredients.
Our OTO roll-on oils for example have been specifically designed to be applied to your temples and wrists, where your skin is the thinnest and your blood supply is closest to the surface, enhancing their soothing capacity.
Why is CBD a useful ingredient in anti-ageing skincare?
As we age, the rate of our skin cell regeneration slows down, our skin loses its elasticity and fine lines become more prominent. CBD is beneficial because it triggers apoptosis (natural cell death) in our older skin cells, supporting our skin renewal process. CBD has powerful antioxidant benefits through bonding with free radicals—literally free oxygen and other atoms that float around our body interfering with natural processes—therefore protecting our skin against external stressors such as UV rays and pollution.
How much CBD should I be using in my skincare routine?
You will not experience any harmful effects from using too much CBD in your skincare routine. Our body naturally removes excess CBD. However, we recommend an optimum daily dose of between 40-60mg of CBD. This dose, which we term OTOStrength, ensures that the reservoir of CBD in your skin doesn’t run dry, keeping you and your skin feeling happy, protected and ready to take on any busy day!
‘OTO’s Night Eye Treatment is game changing! I noticed a difference in the appearance of my skin within 3 days, it felt so hydrated and youthful. The sore ezcema patches in the creases of my eyelids disappeared’
