CBD Sunscreen: Does It Actually Work?
Article written by
Jordan WoldSEO Content Writer
Content reviewed by
Dr. Lewis JasseyMedical Director - Pediatric Medicine
After decades of prohibition, CBD products are available in nearly every state, thanks to CBD’s broad federal legalization through the 2018 Farm Bill.
And one CBD product gaining in popularity is CBD sunscreen. While it might surprise some, early research into CBD sunscreen has shown great potential to protect against harmful UV rays and sun exposure, benefits to skin health, and more.
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What Is CBD Sunscreen?
The only significant difference between CBD and traditional sunscreen is the addition of CBD. CBD sunscreen products are generally merged, combining pure CBD isolate or full-spectrum CBD with sunscreen.
Still, if you need more clarification about adding CBD oil to your outdoor skin health regimen, it might help to learn more about CBD. Like THC, CBD, or cannabidiol, it is a naturally occurring compound in the cannabis plant that shows some real potential for medical application.
So far, potential downsides seem more related to the “sunscreen” aspect of CBD sunscreens. For example, some sunscreen products, especially ones containing ingredients like nano-Zinc oxide (which is not the same as zinc oxide), have been shown to cause damage to coral reefs.
High-quality, third-party tested CBD products are safe and will not get you “high,” although you might feel a mild calming effect. However, more studies are needed into CBD’s health benefits or potential downsides.
How Does CBD Sunscreen Work?
CBD sunscreen works very similarly to traditional sunscreen. Classic physical sunscreen uses and combines mineral compounds like zinc oxide to protect a user’s skin from the sun’s UV rays, which can cause skin cancer and other adverse side effects.
Some other forms of sunscreen, like chemical spray products, contain some ingredients that have not necessarily been shown to be harmful but are still undergoing further review.
These products usually have a label indicating their “SPF” (i.e., sun protection factor) and some guidance for how frequently to apply sunscreen to avoid excessive sun exposure.
The perks and drawbacks of CBD sunscreen should continue to be investigated, but so far, early studies give users a real reason to be optimistic. By combining CBD with traditional sunscreen products, users get the same essential protection from UV rays provided by regular sunscreen, with additional perks.
While regular sunscreen blocks harmful sun rays, sunshine still impacts the skin, often in the form of inflammation or redness. The study above indicates that CBD contains properties that reduce inflammation, meaning that CBD sunscreen could help reduce the intensity and speed of the healing process of any sunburn you may receive.
CBD has also been shown to be potentially beneficial for overall skin health, which means applying some CBD before hitting the beach could protect you from more than just the sun. While there are few resources suggesting possible downsides to CBD sunscreen, you should do your own research into any one product before buying.
How to Shop for CBD Sunscreen
In addition to considering CBD sunscreen, you should consider the other active ingredients in sunscreen before you buy. Your ultimate goal should be to protect your skin from too much sun exposure and do your best to avoid the risk of skin cancer.
Physical sunscreen is often considered safer than chemical sprays, so if you want to be extra secure, you should avoid chemical sunscreen and look for all-natural ingredients. Finally, if you dip in any body of water, you’ll want a water-resistant product.
The Bottom Line
Even if you have no plans to try cannabis, you don’t need to be afraid of CBD sunscreen. In practice, CBD sunscreen is not too different from any other sunscreen product and may even be more beneficial to your long-term health.
Still, you should observe smart shopping behaviors and research any one product before committing yourself to lather up using that same bottle all summer.
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