It is slowly becoming a prominent neuroactive component in skin care products, due to its many benefits, which range from improving stress and sleep to stimulating cell growth, making it an ideal component for skin care. It has also been tested as a treatment for various skin conditions like acne and psoriasis.
» Recent results suggest that, due to the combined lipostatic, antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory effects,
CBD has the potential to be a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of acne.”
NEUROCOSMETICS, WHY NOW?
Neuroscience has gained popularity in the media over the past decade.
One of the main reasons appears to be increasing stress levels (measured by the percentage of people experiencing stress-related emotions such as anxiety, sadness or anger).
In the 2021 APA study, 8 in 10 Americans experienced stress-related emotions in the past 30 days.
Growing political polarizations, concerns about climate change and economic volatility are causing rising stress levels in developing countries.
Add to that Covid 19, and 2021 has seen huge increases in perceived stress levels (as cited by the American Psychological Association).
The emergence of social media and increased screen time have put additional strain on overworked nervous systems, negatively impacting our sleep patterns.
THE CULPRITS OF STRESS
So what do stress and sleep have to do with cosmetics?
Stress triggers a chemical response in your body, including the release of cortisol, which has been shown to have a significant impact on neurodegradation and skin deterioration. Stress-induced skin hyperinnervation has been shown to be directly linked to inflammation and skin reactivity to stress. This can lead to the development of skin conditions like psoriasis or acne, but more importantly, make them more difficult to treat.
Wound and microwound healing in the skin is also affected by increased stress levels in all 3 phases: inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. Review Corticosteroids and wound healing: clinical considerations in the perioperative period.
Beyond acute stress caused by individual events, chronic stress has also been shown to have strong degrading effects on the skin. It suppresses immunoprotection, increases susceptibility to infections and exacerbates certain allergic and inflammatory diseases.
By exploring the studied biochemical interactions between our stress response and skin condition, it becomes evident that an appropriate emotional balance, also achieved through topical and/or consumable cosmetics, can have an indirect impact on the overall health and quality of the skin, as well as on combating skin aging.
"As an energy consumer, the brain is the most expensive organ we carry around with us," said Dr. Marcus Raichle of Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. The brain makes up only 2 percent of a person's total body weight, yet it consumes 20 percent of the body's total energy, which severely limits the skin's energy needs, particularly with age and under chronic stress, and potentially negatively affects brain-skin connections.
Today, the connection between the brain and the skin is not yet demonstrated and popularized by the traditional cosmetic industry, and cosmetic effects are mainly treated with ingredients, both natural and synthetic, that act locally rather than potentially impacting the nervous system to activate other benefits through biochemical messages between the brain and the skin.
Some consumers are still hesitant to try consumable neuroactive ingredients and are turning to topical products, which offer a gentle entry into this group of compounds like cannabidiol.
