80 AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2019 best health besthealthmag.ca
AS PART OF THE LEGALIZA-
tion of recreational cannabis in
Canada late last fall, there’s been
a lot of talk about cannabidiol
(CBD). As the non-psychoactive
counterpoint to tetrahydrocan-
nabinol (THC), CBD has gained
attention for its soothing effects.
Currently, oral CBD tinctures,
sprays and oils are available from
licensed retailers and sought after
for easing pain and anxiety.
But there’s also plenty of beauty
buzz around the ingredient as a
star component in topical formu-
las. “Some research suggests that
CBD can be beneficial in address-
ing skin moisture, acne and
psoriasis and that it can be used
as an anti-aging ingredient if
dosed properly and managed
under the right quality controls,”
says Sabba Naserian, director of
global business development for
CBD at Canopy Growth Corpora-
tion in Toronto, “The trick is to
find a brand that has done
research to validate those ben-
efits and use it in a topical format
that actually penetrates the skin.”
Efficacy is also in question from
the derm’s POV. “When you look
at skincare products, you have to
look at both the active ingredient
[which, in this case, is CBD] and
the vehicle, whether it’s a cream,
lotion or gel,” says Dr. Kellett.
“You also have to look at the
preservatives. Any of these three
things can have an effect on your
skin in good and bad ways, so we
need more work to be done. Some
studies have shown that it’s
helpful for acne, but other
research suggests that it causes
more inf lammation. The jury is
still out.”BEAUTY BOTTOM LINE
Ahead of the legal availability of
cannabis topicals, such as creams
and lotions, is the need to hone
savvy consumer skills. CBD is
extracted from the f lowers and
leaves of cannabis plants, but
hemp is also a variety of the
Cannabis sativa species. Different
compounds, such as seed oil, can
be extracted from hemp and are
available for use in the beauty and
food industries. This association
can create confusion.
“Cannabis sativa seed oil and
hemp seed oil refer to the same
ingredient and have been used
interchangeably for some timenow,” says Naserian. “They are
derived from the seed of the hemp
plant and do not include any CBD.
Hemp seed oil is in a lot of beauty
products today and, though it’s a
great source of antioxidants and
healthy fatty acids, doesn’t con-
tain CBD.” With the countdown to
government-approved CBD
beauty options on (the latest ETA
is no later than October 17, 2019),
it’s best to become an aware buyer
now. “Packages can be mislead-
ing, so make sure to read the
ingredients on the label,” says
Naserian. “Hemp seed oil and
CBD are not the same thing.”This blend of moisturizing oils
locks in shine, reduces frizz and
tends to split ends.
DESIGN.ME GLOSS.ME CANNABIS
SATIVA SEED OIL HAIR SERUM, $24Enhanced by meadow-
foam and poppy seed oils
and spiked with neroli and
fermented black tea, this
luxe soak is sure to soften
your skin.
NANNETTE DE GASPÉ BAIN
NOIR CANNABIS SATIVA BATH
SOAK TREATMENT, PRICE
UPON REQUESTSeed oils (that’s hemp, grape and
sunflower) and apricot oil create
a nourishing treatment for hair
and skin.
SCENTUALS ORGANIC HEMP
BEAUTY OIL BLEND, $30BESTIE
Cannabis sativa
seed oil plays a
lead role in these
products – no
CBD here.