Cannabinoids have taken the health industry by storm. These chemical compounds, which are derived from marijuana or hemp plants, are found to provide great benefits to the human body. They work with one’s endocannabinoid system, which helps regulate bodily functions.
There are hundreds of cannabinoids in the cannabis family. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) may be the most well-known cannabinoid–the highly psychoactive component of marijuana. Cannabidiol (CBD), on the other hand, has slowly gained traction for offering immense health benefits without the psychoactive side effects. Another rising star in the cannabinoid family is cannabichromene (CBC), which shares the same origin with THC and CBD.
CBC is a promising ingredient, especially for beauty products. This is because it provides several beneficial properties, such as:
1. Anti-Bacterial
Cannabinoids have been established to have anti-bacterial properties, especially CBC. There are researches that show how the chemical compound has successfully destroyed fungi and bacteria, which can lead to the reduction of skin infections.
Acne results in the clumping together of dead skin cells, sebum, and hair, which can become infected with germs. This is caused by blockage or oil build-up under the skin. The severity and frequency of skin problems depend on the strain of bacteria that’s present.
If your acne is caused by bacteria, you can try using a CBC cream instead of drinking antibiotics to clear up your skin. The latter has adverse effects on your gut health, which plays a significant role in your digestion as well as cognition.
Moreover, incorrect usage of antibiotics has resulted in drug-resistant bacteria that require more potent medication to beat. It’s better to opt for CBC creams since they’re organic and have great potential in attacking antibiotic-resistant microbes.
2. Anti-Inflammatory
One of the primary factors that you should look for in beauty products, especially when battling acne, is the anti-inflammatory property. Pimples are characterized by the swelling of the skin while battling the bacteria that triggered them.
Cannabinoids are known to have anti-inflammatory properties, including CBC. These chemical compounds interact with your body’s endocannabinoid system, specifically the CB1 and CB2 receptors. When activated, the latter produces fewer cytokines, which are inflammatory signal substances. This can reduce the amount of swelling that your skin makes when triggered by bacteria.
As mentioned above, excess sebum production, dead skin cells clogging pores, bacteria, and inflammation are the most common causes of acne. CBC creams may help alleviate the swelling and reddening of the affected areas while fighting off the microbial triggers.
Other ways to prevent acne-related inflammation are:
- Avoid touching the affected areas – It can be very tempting to pop your pimples, but doing so would likely lead to more skin damage. Plus, touching them without washing your hands would exacerbate the problem.
- Clean your skin before sleeping – No matter how tired you are, never go to bed with makeup. At the very least, you should use cleansing wipes to remove dirt and grime. Cosmetic products can clog your pores, causing bacterial growth.
- Check beauty product labels – You should also be mindful of the materials used in your beauty products. To ensure that the ingredients won’t clog your pores and lead to breakouts, look for labels like ‘non-comedogenic’ or ‘oil-free.’ CBC creams and related products, like this CBD hand cream, are ideal for people with sensitive skin since they’re all-natural.
- Wash your hair regularly – The oil in your hair may also contribute to the sebum build-up on your face. Thus, try to wash it as regularly as you can. Just make sure to use products with gentle ingredients as well so that you don’t strip your scalp of its natural oils.
- Wear Sunscreen Daily – Sunscreen protects your skin from harmful UV lights. It’s also useful for ensuring that your face doesn’t get burned, especially when you’re putting on retinoids or other treatments that make your skin more sun-sensitive.
- Consult with a Dermatologist – It’s always best to talk with your doctor. This way, you can be sure about the cause of your acne. You can even talk to them about using a CBC cream and the additional benefits that you can gain from it.
3. The Entourage Effect
One of the major advantages of CBC is that it’s non-intoxicating. Unlike THC, it doesn’t lead to psychoactive side effects. Instead, it interferes with your body’s TRPV1 and TRPA1 receptors in breaking down endocannabinoids. This process enhances the effects of feel-good chemicals that your body naturally produces.
CBC helps prevent the breakdown of endocannabinoids and boost their benefits. This leads to the entourage effect, which pertains to the theory that cannabinoids work better as a group rather than when they’re isolated and used alone.
CBD, THC, and CBD all come from cannabigerolic acid (CBGA). Enzymes in the plant’s trichomes interact with CBGA to transform it into cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), and cannabichromenic acid (CBCA) when exposed to heat or ultraviolet light.
CBC’s value lies in its role in the entourage effect. It helps maximize the effects of other cannabinoids as well as endocannabinoids so that you can fully reap the benefits.
4. Analgesic Effects
Although it’s not as potent as THC, CBC still has analgesic properties to act as a painkiller or produce a numbing effect. This effect can help alleviate the painful feeling that pimples bring. The compound combats pain by interacting with receptors that are involved in the sensation.
Scientists are looking forward to maximizing CBC’s role in the entourage effect and combining it with other cannabinoids to serve as a topical analgesic, which is the case for creams, without the high.
Conclusion
CBC is a lesser-known cannabinoid, but it plays a crucial role in the chemical makeup of marijuana. This compound has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that are useful for fighting acne. It can also serve as a topical analgesic to help soothe painful sensations on your skin. Lastly, CBC plays a valuable role in the entourage effect, which means that it boosts the cellular benefits of other cannabinoids so that you can enjoy fuller effects.