Fun, Fresh, Thriving: Why CBD Is A Great Addition to Your Beauty Routine

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We all want to look and feel the best we can, and the great news is that CBD oil just might be the all-natural beauty solution you've been waiting for. It can help to heal a range of skin-hang ups, and potentially even help you get that all-important beauty sleep. You see, CBD oil doesn't just add to your beauty routine in the traditional way, such as minimising wrinkles (although there is research to suggest this is possible), it also impacts your general health and well-being! So, it is certainly no surprise that CBD oil has made its way into the beauty world, as its possibilities are far-reaching.

We here at Amphora believe that your beauty routine should take care of you, both inside and out. It's all very well looking good, but it's more important to feel good within ourselves. This is why CBD oil can be a fantastic addition to your beauty routine. In this article, we will outline the main ways that CBD can enhance your routine, as well as make a case for the use of CBD edibles, particularly mints, over CBD topicals. So, whether you are looking to improve the appearance of your acne scarring, or simply to feel more confident in your own skin, let us explain why CBD mints have been the vital ingredient missing from your beauty routine all along!

What is CBD oil?

This is an excellent place to start, as it's crucial to fully understand what CBD oil is before we go forward. After all, nobody wants to put things into or onto their bodies without knowing the ingredients first. The fantastic thing about CBD oil is that the ingredients are all-natural, so you can feel confident that what you are consuming is perfect not only for your beauty routine, but also your healthy lifestyle. Take our Infused Amphora CBD vape oil, for example; you'll find that it only contains organic CBD distillate, as well as entirely natural flavoured and unflavoured terpenes for additional benefits to your healthy lifestyle.

Cannabidiol is the full name for CBD, and it is one of the compounds commonly extracted from the cannabis plant. There are over 100 compounds altogether, with CBD and THC being the most famous, due to the extensive scientific research that has been conducted on them. THC, or Tetrahydrocannabinol, has psychoactive properties, meaning it can produce a 'high' feeling. CBD, however, does not; and this makes it a viable treatment for a range of ailments. For the inquisitive among you, wondering things like how to make CBD oil, we will answer that now. You see, CBD is blended with a natural carrier oil, with terpenes, coconut and hemp seed oil being the most popular options. It is then ready to be used in its original oil form, or to be made into other CBD products, such as edibles, topicals, and more.

CBD edibles vs CBD topicals

When you think of CBD oil and skincare, it's no surprise that your mind will automatically land on CBD topicals. Sure, they have their benefits, and the ultimate decision is down to you, but let us outline the differences and why the often-overlooked CBD edible could be the perfect addition to your beauty routine. CBD topicals refer to creams, lotions, or balms that are directly applied to the area of concern on your skin. Therefore, they can potentially be extremely beneficial for reducing pain and inflammation in certain areas of the body. However, CBD edibles can promote your general well-being as well as your beauty routine.

Products like CBD mints are a great way of enhancing your wellness routine, as they are pre-dosed with CBD oil. This means that you can work out a way of incorporating them into your routine that suits you, as well as being able to quickly figure out the number of mints that work for your needs. What's more, consuming CBD mints is a great way to reap the benefits of CBD oil for the whole day (or night) depending on what you are consuming it for. You see, not only will they be able to positively enhance your beauty routine, but also promote your sleep well-being. Finally – the yummy taste! It's all well and good having beautiful white teeth, but CBD mints can bring you the lovely fresh breath to accompany them! Overall, CBD mints are a convenient and fresh way to enhance your beauty routine.

Skincare and CBD oil: the research

Before we begin to get stuck into the research of CBD oil, it is essential to make it clear that this research was conducted on CBD oil itself, and therefore not on CBD edibles or topicals in particular (unless otherwise stated). Of course, it is then entirely up to you how you choose to use CBD oil, as the essential ingredient is the same.

There is a wealth of scientific research out there into the benefits of CBD oil for the skin, creating a solid foundation for people to research and discover for themselves. Acne is a common skin condition that affects millions of people all over the world. It is a skin condition that typically rears its ugly head during puberty and throughout our teenage years, with about 95% of people affected by acne at some point during this time. Naturally, as people age, their symptoms will begin to improve; however, acne can also continue on into some people's adult lives.

It is estimated that roughly 3% of adults over the age of 35 are still dealing with acne. The condition causes spots to appear on your face, chest, and back; and these can be hot and painful to touch, as well as causing the skin to become oily. A studypublished in 2014 discovered that CBD oil was able to prevent sebaceous glands in the skin from producing excess sebum (oil). This would lessen the appearance of oily skin, and the associated problems of too much sebum. CBD also acted as an anti-inflammatory, and prevented inflammatory proteins from being activated within the body. In 2016, some of the same researchers published another study that investigated the benefits of CBD oil for the treatment of acne. They concluded that CBD oil could be viewed as a novel anti-acne agent, and deemed CBD oil to be 'highly efficient' in supplementing the treatment of it.

If you are struggling with the after-effects of acne in the form of noticeable scars, then you are not alone. They can be a source of embarrassment and make people feel extremely self-conscious about their appearance. The good news is that things look promising, as a study examined the effects of CBD oil on 20 participants who suffered from skin scarring. This study lasted for a three-month period, with the participants applying topical CBD oil to the affected areas of skin twice a day. The results found that CBD oil was able to significantly improve the appearance of scars by enhancing the elasticity and hydrating the skin. The participants' scars were due to skin conditions such as psoriasis, however, these scars are similar to acne and therefore show CBD's great promise when it comes to helping to alleviate the uncomfortable scars that people are left with from it.

Speaking of psoriasis, there is also a growing body of research into the possible benefits of CBD oil for the symptoms of the condition. According to the NHS, psoriasis is a condition that causes painful red, crusty, and flaky patches on the skin. The condition is chronic, and sufferers can go through periods where they have no symptoms and others where they experience nasty flare-ups. One study  published in 2007 discovered that CBD oil was able to possibly slow down the growth and separation of the cells in the skin that cause psoriatic skin rashes. Furthermore, there is a growing body of research into the potential therapeutic benefits of CBD oil for itchy skin. Skin can feel itchy for a range of reasons, and psoriasis is one of them. It can be extraordinarily distracting, and painful. A review  published in 2017 examined a range of studies into the matter. In particular, it highlighted one study  that found 81% of its participants experienced a complete reduction of their itching skin. They found that CBD oil most likely works by turning off the signals in the brain that produce the need to itch.

Finally, CBD oil has shown the potential to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. CBD is known to be an antioxidant, meaning that it can protect your body and skin from the damage that can occur via free radicals. Free radicals are atoms in the body that can cause stress, illness, and damage to the body. They are also responsible for causing visible signs of ageing. But this is where CBD oil comes in! A study published in 2011 reported that, through manipulation of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the body, CBD could potentially help to stimulate the growth and life cycle of basal skin cells. This can lead to an improved appearance of the skin, and allow it to look and stay looking younger for longer. Of course, there are also things you can do to help the health of your skin, such as maintaining a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water, and never going to sleep with your makeup on!

Haircare and CBD oil: the research

We all want shiny, healthy hair, and CBD oil may be a natural solution to help you reach your hair goals! CBD oil can help to stimulate hair growth, and this holds the potential to please a range of people. No matter the reason for your hair loss, it can be a disheartening and distressing experience. One studypublished in 2007 examined hair growth and endocannabinoids. It concluded that "CB1 agonists may therefore help to manage unwanted hair growth, while CB1 antagonists might counteract hair loss."

What's more, the calming and balancing benefits that CBD oil may have on our mood can also have a significant impact on reducing hair loss and breakage. Furthermore, thanks to CBD oil's possible anti-inflammatory properties, it may help manage conditions such as eczema and dandruff. As we already know, CBD may aid in combating itching and irritation, as itching your hair repeatedly can cause sores and pain on the scalp. Stopping itching allows the skin to heal on its own, and it also helps to reduce the risk of scalp infections due to broken skin. Of course, CBD oil alone shouldn't be your solution to maintaining healthy hair, you should also eat a balanced diet packed full of nutrients and perform self-care acts like scalp massages with a lovely, all-natural shampoo– and hey, you could use a few drops of CBD oil here to nourish your scalp and promote blood circulation!

Sleep and CBD oil: the research

As Tara Banks once said: "the most important item in your makeup bag is a good night's sleep." Sleep is vital for our beauty routines, but also for our general health and well-being. It is recommended that we get eight hours of quality sleep per night in order to be our best (and most beautiful) selves. In terms of beauty, when we don't get enough sleep for a prolonged period of time, it can be reflected in our appearance. It can increase the severity of wrinkles and fine lines, give off a pale quality to the skin, give us dark circles under the eyes, and even give us droopy-looking skin. Sleep deprivation can also have a detrimental effect on our mental health, as it can make us feel anxious and low.

A study  published in 2019 examined whether CBD oil could positively impact people's sleep. The study included 72 participants, 47 of which had anxiety, and 25 who suffered from broken sleep. In the first month of the study, the researchers reported promising results, as 79.2% of people suffered less anxiety and 66.7% experienced better sleep. Another review published in 2017 found that the current research into CBD oil shows potential as a therapeutic treatment for insomnia. What's more, it may also help in REM sleep behaviour disorder, where sufferers act out their dreams and can experience distressing nightmares. CBD purportedly also promotes daytime wakefulness.

General health/ mood: the research

CBD oil is an all-natural wellness aid that can not only improve your beauty routine, but also your general mood. This is great for those of you that suffer from low self-esteem due to physical conditions, such as acne; or mental conditions, like depression and anxiety. A 2014 review concluded that CBD demonstrated possible mood-lifting effects in animal models. Furthermore, the current studies indicated a "good interaction between CBD and the 5-HT1A neuro-receptor." The latter is a term for the chemical serotonin, and activating this chemical receptor can potentially help conditions such as depression. Furthermore, another 2018 review concluded that CBD has significant anti-stress effects, and this can help individuals manage the symptoms of a range of mental health conditions.

CBD oil is a fantastic well-being supplement, and there is no better way to highlight this than by examining its potential to help treat the chronic pain linked to a range of health conditions. One such condition is multiple sclerosis (MS), as this autoimmune condition currently has no cure, and individuals living with it can suffer from painful cramps and spasms of their limbs. A study  published in 2018 found that CBD oil can potentially help the mobility of MS sufferers, as well as reduce their pain. A review  published in 2020 found that CBD oil is a viable possible supplement alongside treatment for chronic pain, especially if the current treatments are lacking. If CBD's possible anti-pain and anti-inflammatory properties work for you, it may also promote better sleep as a result.

Key benefits of CBD mints for beauty

In this section of the article, we are going to outline what we have learnt from the research in a clear and concise way.

• It can promote skin health: it is highly likely that at some point in our lives, we will suffer from a skin condition, the most common being acne. CBD can positively interact with our skin, and help to minimise the appearance of scarring, spots, and oily skin. It can also help to minimise itching, which can occur for a variety of reasons. Therefore, CBD can potentially help to significantly improve some people's quality of life, as bad skin can be detrimental to some people's self-esteem, and cause them to feel stressed and anxious.
• It can promote healthy hair: stress and genetics can cause your hair to fall out. This, in turn, can cause the individual to feel stressed; and this can then cause more hair to fall out – it's a vicious cycle! CBD products can help to promote hair growth, as well as calm your nerves and allow you to relax. This is good for your overall well-being, as being in a state of stress and anxiety can open you up to a range of chronic illnesses.
• Better sleep: a good night's sleep can make all the difference to your appearance and mental health. In particular, your mental clarity and focus rely on a nice eight hours of shut-eye. CBD mints may improve your quality of sleep, helping to combat those tired, dark circles under your eyes, and enhance the look and health of your skin. Better sleep can also improve your quality of life in all areas, such as your professional and personal life, as you will be more present and focused.
• Improve your mood: the calming effects of CBD are wonderful for your mental and physical well-being. CBD can allow you to relax your stressed muscles, as well as have a more positive outlook on life. Researchers note that while more in-depth research into the matter is needed, CBD oil demonstrates both potential anti-stress and possible antidepressant effects. This can improve your mental well-being, as it can provide you with the confidence that you need to carry on with your day, especially for those people who are also suffering from low self-esteem.
• Manage pain: CBD mints hold significant potential in helping individuals to both treat and manage their pain. Pain can be both distressing and distracting, and being able to control it allows you to look (and more importantly to feel) better. No doubt, this happiness will show on your face, and you will look happier and healthier!
• It is essential to remember not to rely solely on CBD oil for your beauty routine. While CBD can make a great addition to your routine, you should also strive to live the healthiest lifestyle that you can. This way, you are giving yourself a head-start on both feeling and looking good! This includes simple lifestyle additions, such as drinking eight glasses of water per day, eating a balanced, nutrient-rich diet, and sticking to an exercise regime.

How to fit CBD mints into your beauty routine

When to take CBD oilis one of the most commonly-asked questions when it comes to CBD, and the good news is that there is no right or wrong answer! Your beauty routine is your own, so make sure that you do what works for you, rather than trying to follow what someone else is doing. So, while it's a good idea to do some research into the matter, make sure that you then consider what you think would work for you. There are some occasions where there is a more clear-cut time to consume your CBD mints and apply your CBD topicals. For example, if you would like to reap the calming benefits of CBD mints to promote your sleep well-being, then it's only logical to consume them before bed. However, if you are consuming your CBD mints or using topicals for skin issues, then there's no set time. Perhaps it would be a good idea to make yourself a schedule, so that you don't forget your daily dose of CBD!

When it comes to enhancing your beauty routine, we would argue that there's no better companion than your CBD oil, however you wish to take it. CBD edibles and topicals are a fun and fresh way of enhancing your beauty routine from the inside out. People love CBD for its multifaceted therapeutic benefits, and it can boost not just for your beauty, but also your general well-being. Let's face it; you are going to wonder why you haven't been consuming CBD for your well-being all along!