Cannabidiol (CBD) is an active chemical ingredient extracted from industrial hemp's leaves, stalk, and flowers. The plant is among the cannabis strains but contains high CBD and low THC content. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is another popular cannabinoid associated with a feeling of highness in cannabis smokers. CBD is no mind-altering effects and is infused in almost all products, including lip skincare. The commonly known lip product is the CBD balm. Its popularity is growing daily with its power to moisturize, hydrate, and heal dry, chapped lips.
CBD lip balm is a lip cosmetic ointment manufactured by combining three raw materials;wax, dye, and CBD oil as the main active ingredient. It is applied directly to the lips tomoisturize and nourish dry lips and improve their plumpness. According to Rub et al. (2022), the CBD oil infused in the balm exhibit anti-inflammatory qualities that help heal and cleanse dry, chapped lips.
Upon extraction, CBD is highly diluted with organic carrier oils like hemp seed oil to create a potent CBD oil. Afterwards, the oil is included in other minor beauty products like lip balm and butter.
Most people believethat the lips are the central defining part of their face. Their skin is different from other facial parts since it is vulnerable, soft, and comprises only two dermal layers of protection. Therefore, lips are more susceptible to ageing signs like thinning, cracking, and dryness. Persistent exposure to environmental factors like smoke, wind, and UV radiations, makes the lips dry and chapped. Lastly, lips are prone to dehydration resulting from failure to drink enough water or taking too much caffeine or wine. Luckily, CBD lip balm has shown more power than other cosmetic products in protecting and improving the general health of lips. Some of these benefits have been explained below.
The first key to maintaining lips is ensuring they are hydrated. Unlike other skin, lip skin does not contain glands that manufacture oil responsible for skin moisture. Sometimes you may think that you have checked all boxes to maintain liphydration, but they become dry and chapped due to uncontrollable factors. CBD lip balm has shown great power in maintaining the lips’ moisture. Upon application, the CBD penetrates the inner layer, where it interacts with specific skin receptors to increase the production of hyaluronic acid. Thissubstance is responsible for maintaining skin moisture and makingthe lips appear plump.
Cracking or darkening of lips result from free radicals that damage the lip tissues and cells. They are mainly released to protect the lips from external threats, but excessive production results in damaged lip tissues. The CBD oil in the balms acts as a stabilizing agent by reducing lip inflammation responsible for free radicals. In addition, the cannabinoid has anti-bacterial properties that protect the lips from infections.
CBD acts as a cleansing agent for lips. Scheau et al. (2020)noted that the antioxidants found in CBD, like omega 6 and 3, helps repair lip tissue damage caused by external threats like sun radiation, thus exhibitinghealing properties. In addition, apart from containing CBD oil, lip balms are infused with other organic ingredients like aloe Vera and beeswax that boosts the reproduction of cells in the lip's natural healing process.
Relief of Pain and Irritating Lips
CBD greatly alleviates body discomfort like back pains, sciatica, and skin irritations. Applying CBD lip balm can also relieve lip discomfort.Baswan et al. (2020) explained that CBD interacts with cannabinoid receptors in the lips to block the signalling of pain nerve impulses to the central nervous system making the patient feel relieved. In addition, it acts as an anti-inflammatory agent to reduce excessive inflammatory responses by the lip cells that cause tissue damage and an irritating feeling.
CBD Lip Balm Contains Organic Nutrients
CBD lip balm contains healthy organic nutrients that boost the lips' immune system and the natural healing process. These nutrients include vitamins (E, C, A), omegas, amino acids, and minerals from carrier oils like hemp seed oil. In addition, the lip product may also contain organic substances like aloe Vera and beeswax. According to Hęś et al. (2019), aloe Vera is a popular herbal remedy containing certain organic nutrients and antioxidants that help heal broken skin and its irritations. Beeswax is a natural exfoliate that cleanses the lips from dirt and protects them from excessive sun radiation. (Mohiuddin, 2019)
Sometimes, pimples and rashes may appear along the lip lines due to certain skin conditions. Acne is the most common skin condition affecting almost all skin parts in the body. It causes the lips to be itchy and painful and have some accumulating rashes. Pimplesare caused by excessive sebum production in the skin. Ashton &Livvy (2021) stated that Acne is caused by excessive sebum production. According to Peyravian et al. (2022), CBD lip balm can reduce the excessive release of the waxy substance by the sebocytes gland along the lip's skin. Additionally, the cannabinoid in the balm can help in treating other skin conditions like eczema affecting the lips area. It reduces irritations, itchiness, cracking, dryness, and lips redness.
One of the main causes of wrinkles around from the corners of the lips to the nose or cheeks is old age. Applying CBD lip balm for a long period plumps the lips andreduces the depth of these facial lines. Upon application, CBD interacts with cannabinoid receptors along the lip area to boost the production of skin proteins like collagen and elastin. These proteins maintain skin firmness and elasticity, preventing the sagging look or formation of facial wrinkles.
Unlike other parts of the body'sskin, lips have no glands that help produce an oily substance to protect them. Hence the reason they are more prone to cracks and dryness. When they are dehydrated, they will have cracks and appear chapped. Below are other causes of chapped and dry lips:
Davis &Sumari (2022) suggested that dry lips are mostly caused by weather conditions such as extreme cold and heat from sun radiations. In the winter seasons, people are advised to stay hydrated to avoid irritations from chapped lips. Furthermore, regular sun exposure may cause your lips sunburn, which leads to your lips appearing dehydrated and cracked.
The habit of constantlylicking your lips can cause them to appear dry and chapped. It is known that saliva strips off the moisture from the lip layers causing them to shrink and crack.
Allergic reactions are another main cause of dry and chapped lips. When a patient comes in contact with a substance or condition their skin is allergic to, some symptoms may appear. Dry and cracked lips are among the common signs of allergic skin contact.
According to Kadu et al.(2015),lip dryness can be caused by underlying health conditions like inadequate vitamins& minerals in the Body, thyroid diseases, and skin disorders ( Acne, Eczema, psoriasis, etc.). Lack of vitamins B & C and low levels of zinc and iron in the skin can induce excessive inflammatory responses in the lip tissues, resulting in the lips drying and appearing chapped and pale. In addition, chronic diseases like IBM (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) affecting the digestive tract from the mouth to the anus can also cause the lips to dry and irritate.
Cheilitis is a common disorder that affects the corners of the mouth. Bhutta&Hafsi (2021) noted that it is mostly caused by excessive sun radiations, saliva, and yeast overgrowth. It can be treated using antioxidants and anti-inflammatories.The main symptom of cheilitis is pale and chapped lips that appear cracked and reddish. It dehydrates the lips by affecting the production of skin humectants like hyaluronic acid responsible for maintaining skin moisture. The following are other symptoms of the condition to lip health:
Applying CBD lip balm is easyand convenient. It involves choosing the right CBD lip balm with the right ingredients from a reputable manufacturer. In cosmetics, CBD lip balms are available in two ways, with each type used differently. These ways are;
CBD lip balm with an applicator contains a dial on the bottom side of the balm tube where the user raises the balm for application. Other applicatorshave tiny holes where you squeeze the balm slowly and gently through the holes to the lips. The top of the tube can be used to spread the gel along the lips' skin. For the two common types of CBD lip balm with an applicator, the following key guidelines on how to use them;
These are the cheapest and most popular CBD lip balms in the hemp market. However, the cheaper it is, the more cautious and gentle the user should applyit to the lips. Since it has no dial or a tube for application, it simply involves your finger to spread the balm across the lip's surface. The following are steps on how to use it effectively:
There is no specified amount of CBD lip balm to apply. It all depends on several factors like the severity of the problem, the user's lips condition, CBD potency in the lip balm, and frequent use. For instance, people suffering from dry and cracked lips will require more CBD balm to relieve the condition compared to applying the product to improve facial complexity. Because it is challenging to figure out the exact dosage of CBD balm, most people use Cannabis calculators to determine the optimal amount to apply. However,it would help if you were cautious with these websites. The safest way to determine how much CBD balm to apply is by visiting your cosmetic doctor. Also, you can try the following guidelines to figure out:
The food standard Agency (FSA) has approved the safety of using CBD topicals like a lip balm to improve skin complexity and health.
Lip balms made from full-spectrum CBD oil cannot make you feel high since they mostly contain a small amount of THC ( below 0.2%) that can't have any mind-altering effects. Furthermore, the cannabinoids do not reach the bloodstream when used topically.
Urine, blood, saliva or hair cannabis testing negatively affects people using CBD topicals like lip balm. The tests are for checking THC levels in the system, not CBD.
Applying an optimal amount of CBD balm cannot have any adverse effects. However, overdosing on the product can have short-lived side effects like itchy lips, redness, and mild irritations.
CBD lip balm can help hydrate dry and chapped lips, heal wounded lip tissues, protect lips from infections, and reduce lips aging signs like thinness or wrinkles running along the lip's corners to other facial parts.
CBD lip balm can help with various lips conditions but has no place in dealing with anxiety. Even though CBD can help tackle stress and anxiety, the cannabinoid can't penetrate the bloodstream when applied.
CBD lip balm is among the best cosmetic products for plumping and hydrating dry, thin lips. It is easy and convenient to use since it only requires good hygiene and similar experiences of applying makeup. CBD lip balms are the main active ingredient of CBD oil, with other minor materials like aloe Vera, beeswax, flavourings, and some organic carrier oils. One of the main jobs of CBD balm is treating dry and chapped lips caused by extreme weather conditions, frequent lips licking, some skin disorders, and skin allergic contact. Nonetheless, it is important to consult your cosmetic doctor on the amount of balm to apply to avoid certain overdosing effects.
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