Acne, a common skin ailment affecting millions of people worldwide, can significantly reduce one’s quality of life.
While conventional acne treatments exist, they often cause irritation, leading to low compliance rates. In recent years, researchers have explored the use of natural and plant-derived ingredients to develop new products with better efficacy and less irritation. One such ingredient garnering attention is cannabidiol (CBD), known for its anti-inflammatory properties. A recent study by Cohen et al. published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2023) sheds light on the potential benefits of CBD and herbal extracts in treating acne.
Emerging Acne Treatment: Cannabidiol (CBD) and Herbal Extracts
Recent research has focused on the role of cannabinoids, like CBD, in treating skin disorders, including acne. Studies have shown that CBD not only has anti-inflammatory effects but can also reduce lipolysis and sebocyte proliferation in vitro. These findings have prompted several clinical studies to evaluate CBD’s therapeutic potential in treating acne.
However, the development of cannabinoids as therapeutic agents has faced challenges due to limited efficacy data and unclear regulatory guidelines. To overcome these obstacles, researchers have investigated the combination of CBD with established active molecules to create a synergistic effect in acne treatment. The compatibility of these herbal extracts with CBD was evaluated in vitro, ex vivo, and clinically, demonstrating a statistically significant correlation across all stages of development.
Promising Results from a New Natural Topical Formulation
The study presented a newly developed natural topical formulation for acne treatment that targets several mechanisms of action made up of 1% CBD, 1% Centella asiatica triterpene (CAT) extract and 1% silymarin extracted from Silybum marianum fruit. This formulation showed a significant ability to reduce inflammation and eliminate the acne-causing bacteria, Cutibacterium acnes. The ex vivo results revealed a marked impact when compared to untreated tissue.
Following 28 days, total inflammatory lesions saw a 31.8% decrease, 38.2% after 42 days, and 70.9% after 56 days, indicating the formula’s strong anti-inflammatory properties hold considerable therapeutic potential for inflammatory acne (Fig. 1). Moreover, a substantial decrease in porphyrin levels (both count and area) suggested an inhibition of C. acnes. It’s worth mentioning that volunteer satisfaction remained exceptionally high throughout the study.
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Although the study has some limitations, such as the lack of a placebo control, the substantial reduction in inflammatory acne lesions and porphyrin levels is evident. The in vitro, ex vivo, and clinical test results showcased a strong correlation in the inhibition of inflammation and C. acnes growth as the main mechanisms of action.
Conclusion
A Step Forward in Acne Treatment
This breakthrough research highlights the potential of a natural topical formulation incorporating CBD and herbal extracts in treating acne. Despite some limitations, the study presents a significant step forward in developing a more effective, less irritating acne treatment. As the cannabis industry continues to evolve, it is crucial to stay informed about the latest developments and scientific advancements in cannabinoid-based therapies.
Reference
Guy Cohen, Jeannette Jakus, Sumer Baroud, Raanan Gvirtz, Sharon Rozenblat, “Development of an Effective Acne Treatment Based on CBD and Herbal Extracts: Preliminary In Vitro, Ex Vivo, and Clinical Evaluation”, Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, vol. 2023, Article ID 4474255, 8 pages, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/4474255