Are you wondering whether CBD topicals are still haute in 2022? More than just a trend, people who use them know that CBD topicals are haute for a reason. Topicals, already popular among consumers, has also piqued the interest of scientists.
Let’s back up and give you the basics. CBD, short for cannabidiol, is one of many compounds in hemp. The power of CBD can be associated with the endocannabinoid system, or ECS, present in everyone. The ECS maintains homeostasis – or balance – by regulating various processes in the body such as appetite, pain and mood, among others. CB receptors are found throughout the skin and the addition of a CBD topical can help promote healing and homeostasis.
What does research show?
As scientists study cannabidiol, they are beginning to see that CBD topicals are more than haute. Research indicates that CBD can reduce pain and inflammation – doing so without side effects – and it doesn’t get you high. What kind of pain, you ask? Pain caused by inflammation. Inflammation is the body’s way of protecting itself from infection. White blood cells surround a supposed threat and try to eliminate it. There are two kinds of inflammation, acute and chronic.
CBD applied directly to the skin acts quickly for pain such as arthritis and joint and muscle pain. It can also be used safely for neuropathy, nerve pain, skin rashes, burns and wounds. In fact, “Reliable topical CBD products don’t just mask pain or inflammation as some over-the-counter topical pain relief creams do. They actually can make the pain go away for a certain time period, says Matthew Halpert, an instructor of immunology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. Studies have shown that CBD topicals reduce inflammation, which helps relieve the pain and swelling.
“Reliable topical CBD products don’t just mask pain or inflammation as some over-the-counter topical pain relief creams do.”
How do CBD topicals work?
Because topicals are available as lotions, creams, balms and salves, you can apply them directly to an affected area. So, it gets to the heart of the matter faster for certain conditions.
CBD can promote faster healing of burns and wounds by activating the CB-1 and CB-2 receptors in the area of the burn or wound. While it reduces inflammation, its antibacterial qualities also protect your skin from bacteria that can cause infection. As an analgesic, it reduces the pain associated with burns. Finally, it keeps the skin moist around the affected area, so healing can continue without the skin cracking open. Its antimicrobial qualities keep the area free of germs and bacteria. A perfect healing environment. 
CBD topicals for rash promote moisture and relieve dryness. CBD adds essential vitamins and fatty acids to the skin that help promote elasticity and ward off infection. Using CBD for these conditions is especially beneficial and here’s why.
It’s anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial. Rashes are essentially an inflammation. Usually they present as red, scaly, itchy patches on skin or scalp. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, CBD can relieve the intensity of the inflammation and soothe the itch. But it also interacts with the endocannabinoid system we all have in our bodies to promote healing.
A known analgesic, CBD topicals can also help relieve nerve pain and the pain of peripheral neuropathy quickly and effectively. CBD works like this. It either binds with our receptors acting as a natural kick-start for receptors to create and maintain balance. Or it blocks the enzymes that remove excess endocannabinoids, giving them more time to work.
What to look for in CBD topicals
Now, before you rush out and grab any old CBD topical, you should know that not all CBD is what it claims. So, caveat emptor; buyer beware.
Choose a CBD topical for your specific condition. Topicals are carefully combined CBD, essential and carrier oils that have known therapeutic benefits. Look for a product that is for a specific condition such as arthritis, nerve pain, eczema – you get the idea.
You’ll also need to do some research on the various suppliers. Not all CBD products are the same, regardless of claims. The most important consideration should be given to the way the hemp is grown. It should be grown as organically as possible without using harmful herbicides, pesticides or growth enhancers. Second on the list is the manner in which the CBD is extracted. Look for a product derived from CO2 extraction. This is the most expensive extraction method, but by far the safest.
Plus, look for products with full-spectrum hemp oil. A full-spectrum CBD product contains multiple cannabis plant extracts, including essential oils, terpenes and other cannabinoids, such as cannabinol. When the oil is extracted with all the components intact, it enhances the benefits of the oil. There’s a good reason for that. It’s called the entourage effect – all of the major and minor cannabinoids work in concert to exponentially boost the benefits.
For 2022, why not look into treating yourself to CBD topicals, a safer way to soothe pain and inflammation.