CBD oil has exploded in popularity in recent months. It’s used for seemingly every ailment in the universe, from anxiety to acne, and hair care is no exception. There are now shampoos, leave-in conditioners, and even hair gels with CBD as the featured ingredient. But does CBD actually provide any benefits for the hair, or is it just a trendy gimmick?
To find out I talked to Mollie Twining, Founding Partner and Director of Sales, at CBD for Life, a company that produces CBD pain management and beauty products.
Move over, coconut oil, JBCO, and baobab oil there’s a new oil that is changing the game.
Image source: @theesperanzamaria
Background on CBD
CBD stands for Cannabidiol, an extract derived from hemp or cannabis plants. It’s the second most prevalent compound in cannabis, right after THC, which is the one that gets people “high.” Unlike THC, CBD has no intoxicating effects, but it does provide a range of physical and psychological benefits. Recent studies have shown CBD to be an effective treatment for chronic pain, anxiety, depression, cancer-related symptoms, and acne, among other issues.
CBD is now legally sold in every state, thanks in large part to the 2018 Farm Bill. And while the ingredient is just now gaining momentum, Mollie says it’s been around for a while.
“CBD has been used for quite some time,” Mollie told me. “I believe it is now being spoken about and used so freely due to the passing of the Farm Bill.”
CBD for the hair and scalp.
There’s not yet much scientific research on the benefits of CBD for the hair and scalp. But based on what hair experts know about the oil and its nutrient profile, it’s very promising, and users have noticed great results.
Here are a few benefits of CBD oil for your hair:
- Enhance hair growth. CBD contains nutrients that boost hair growth, Mollie says. “CBD helps stimulate and enhance the growth of hair through the scalp’s absorption of the main fatty acids, Omega-3, Omega-6 and Omega-9. [It also] contains GLA (gamma linoleic acid”> which promotes natural hair growth.”
- Strengthen and protect hair. Hair strands are made out of protein, which is why experts recommend a protein treatment for weak, broken hair. CBD oil contains all 21 amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein. When used regularly, it can help strengthen and fortify your hair. Also, CBD is full of fatty acids that provide moisture and seal the cuticle. It’s rich in antioxidants, too, like vitamins A, C and E, so it helps to protect the hair from environmental damage.
- Improve scalp health. “CBD contains high doses of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium and vitamin E – all of which are great for the scalp,” Mollie said. It’s also a natural anti-inflammatory, which makes it ideal for common scalp conditions like psoriasis or follucilitis. Moreover, it balances your scalp’s natural production of sebum (or oil”>, whether you have too much or too little.“CBD is an adaptogen, meaning it regulates sebum production so it is great for oily, dry or normal hair types,” Mollie explained. “It helps to address dry, flaky scalp as well as eczema and psoriasis.”
How to use CBD in your hair care routine.
Mollie recommends incorporating the CBD For Life Shampoo and CBD For Life Conditioner into your routine, using them as often as you’d regularly wash your hair. These products contain CBD isolate and cannabis sativa oil – and like all CBD hair products, they do not contain any THC.
To receive the full benefits of CBD for your scalp and hair, you might also want to add a leave-in conditioner or moisturizer to your routine, like the Eco Natural Cannabis Sativa Oil Leave-In Conditioner. To target scalp health in particular, try the Emera Nourishing CBD Scalp Therapy.
CBD also goes by other names in hair products, including “hemp oil” or “hemp seed oil.” On the other hand, “hemp” or “hemp extract” is a slightly different ingredient that contains less CBD, but still offers some benefits.
Have you ever used CBD in your health/beauty routine? Let us know below!
