Cannabis skincare is a hot topic lately, with cannabis-derived ingredients cropping up on the shelves of beauty, health and wellness stores around the country. Australian scientists from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) have caught wind of this and decided to investigate the potential of using CBD to treat aged skin. 

CBD is short for ‘cannabidiol’ and this non-psychoactive substance has taken the medical industry by storm as of late. By the year 2025, the global CBD market is estimated to be worth $2.3 billion, according to a report by Bloomberg.

U.S scientists collaborated with an American medical cannabis company called Bod Australia to conduct the study into cannabis for anti-aging. The research initiative has been ongoing for the last 3 years in Australia, where cannabis cultivation was legalized for medical and research purposes back in 2016.

Through their collaboration, UTSA scientists and Bod uncovered human cell-containing proteins that appear to relieve the effects of aging. Following the discovery, the Australian scientists explored exactly how the proteins affect skin elasticity and youth regeneration, when combined with the non-psychotropic cannabinoid CBD.

The proteins are composed of two separate parts. Each part is responsible for a different thing; one transports CBD into the human body, while the other one exerts anti-inflammatory effects.

BOD Australia CSO says Australia’s cannabis regulation is “quite dynamic”

Bod’s Chief scientific officer, Adele Hosseini, said made a point of noting that CBD may also exhibit anti-inflammatory effects without the addition of the proteins. While research is limited, there is sufficient evidence to back up these claims.

The Australian medical cannabis company’s CSO feels confident that the study, albeit in its early stages, will trigger a bout of new research into cannabis’ anti-inflammatory effects. Hosseini said that her team will not target a specific age group since the CBD market appeals to a diverse audience.

“Skincare is quite popular [at] any age,” she said. “So we are not limiting ourselves to any particular age group.”

Furthermore, she added that she would like to see the plants naturally-occurring compounds being used in the pharmaceutical field, in addition to consumer products like topical lotions, balms, and salves.

She described the cannabis regulation scene in Australia as “quite dynamic” and remains optimistic that the plant’s legal restrictions ought to be further lifted.

“We especially think that the rules need to be relaxed a lot more around the non-psychoactive cannabinoids because they have definitely proved to have fewer side effects,” she said. “And it can benefit a wide group of patients and people in general.”

Cannabis skincare is already a big market in the U.S.

America is cashing in on the cannabis skincare trend, which has received immense support due to the plant’s efficiency in providing localized relief from various skin conditions, inflammation, and chronic pain.

Future Marketing Insights (FMI) recently released a report suggesting that the value of the CBD skincare market value will inflate at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 33 percent through 2027 to more than US$645 million. 

Brands like Vertly, Kush Queen and Sagely Naturals are cashing in on the CBD skincare wellness trend. Since this cannabinoid does not induce feelings of psychoactivity, it is a welcome addition to most people’s lifestyle.

So far, cannabis has been legalized to some extent in 33 U.S. states and Washington D.C.