Ask the Green Nurse: Love the skin you are in – summer skin health and cannabinoid topicals

As summer unfolds and we enjoy longer days in the sun, it’s essential to recognize how this seasonal shift impacts our skin – a vital organ that plays a key role in our overall health. July and August, designated as Summer Sun Safety Months, offer a valuable reminder to focus on skincare practices that protect, nurture, and enhance our body’s natural resilience under the sun.

Our skin is not merely a protective barrier; it is a dynamic, living system rich in cannabinoid receptors, making it uniquely receptive to cannabinoid-based therapies. These plant-derived compounds hold the potential to nourish and repair the skin, addressing the effects of sun exposure while promoting overall wellness. By integrating thoughtful care with cannabinoid support, we can embrace a holistic approach to skin health that honors both function and vitality. This summer, let’s commit to caring for our skin in ways that reflect its intrinsic value and interconnected role in well-being.

Why Skin Health Matters

Your skin, the body’s largest organ, serves as a vital shield between your internal systems and the external world. It defends against pathogens, regulates temperature, preserves moisture, and offers a visible reflection of your overall health. Embedded within the integumentary system—comprising your skin, hair, and nails—are cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2), key components of the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system plays a crucial role in managing inflammation, immune responses, and cell turnover, demonstrating the intricate connection between your skin and overall wellness (CannaKeys, 2024a).

The Role of the Endocannabinoid System in Skin

A landmark 2009 study conducted by researchers from Germany, the U.S., England, and Hungary highlighted the essential role of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in maintaining skin homeostasis. This groundbreaking research suggested that cannabinoid supplementation could be a promising treatment for a variety of skin conditions, including acne, dermatitis, psoriasis, dry skin, pruritus (itch), and even skin tumors (CannaKeys, 2024a; Project CBD, 2024). The ECS plays a critical role in regulating skin cell growth, immune responses, and inflammation, which are all key factors in maintaining healthy, balanced skin. Cannabinoids like CBD and THC, known for their anti-inflammatory and soothing properties, can help support these processes, making them valuable additions to your summer skincare routine. Whether you’re dealing with dryness from sun exposure or redness and irritation, incorporating cannabinoids into your regimen could help promote healthier, more resilient skin.

Cannabinoids & Sun Exposure: A Perfect Pairing

Sunlight is essential for providing the body with vitamin D, which supports bone health and the immune system, while also improving mood and overall well-being. However, prolonged exposure to the sun can have harmful effects, including sunburn, premature aging, oxidative stress, and an increased risk of skin cancer due to UV radiation. Recent studies suggest that cannabinoids—particularly CBD—may play a role in addressing sun-related skin damage. CBD has been found to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and soothing properties, which could help mitigate the effects of sun exposure and support the skin’s natural repair processes. Researchers are continuing to explore how CBD and other cannabinoids can be incorporated into skincare solutions for healthier, more resilient skin.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects

CBD’s powerful anti-inflammatory properties make it an excellent choice for after-sun care. When applied to sunburned skin, it can help reduce redness, soothe discomfort, and calm irritation caused by overexposure to UV rays (CannaKeys, 2024a; Project CBD, 2024). By interacting with the skin’s endocannabinoid system, CBD promotes faster recovery and restores balance to the skin. A cannabinoid-infused balm or lotion not only hydrates but also provides targeted relief, making it an essential addition to your summer skincare routine. Regular use can even help strengthen the skin’s natural defenses, reducing sensitivity to future sun exposure.

Antioxidant Action

UV radiation triggers the formation of free radicals, unstable molecules that cause oxidative stress and damage vital skin components like collagen, elastin, and cellular DNA. This damage accelerates the aging process, leading to wrinkles, fine lines, and a loss of skin elasticity. CBD and other cannabinoids are powerful antioxidants that work by neutralizing these harmful free radicals, helping to protect the skin from further damage. By reducing oxidative stress, CBD not only minimizes visible signs of aging but also supports the skin’s natural repair process, promoting healthier, more youthful-looking skin over time (Project CBD, 2024).

Hydration & Barrier Support

Prolonged sun exposure can dehydrate the skin, leaving it feeling dry, tight, and less resilient. CBD-infused moisturizers are an excellent solution for restoring hydration while also supporting the skin’s natural barrier. CBD is known for its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, which help calm irritated skin. When combined with humectants like hyaluronic acid, which draws moisture into the skin, or emollients like shea butter, which lock in hydration and soften, these moisturizers provide comprehensive care. Together, these ingredients work to nourish, protect, and rejuvenate skin exposed to harsh environmental conditions.

Research-Backed Skin Benefits of Cannabinoids

Scientific research supports the use of cannabinoids for a wide range of skin conditions:

Sunburn & Burns: CBD may reduce inflammation and pain associated with acute burns, including sunburn (CannaKeys, 2024l; CannaKeys, 2024f).
Psoriasis & Eczema: Cannabinoids help regulate keratinocyte proliferation and inflammatory responses, key in managing psoriasis and eczema (CannaKeys, 2024e; CannaKeys, 2024i).
Acne & Pruritus (Itching): Anti-inflammatory and sebum-regulating effects of cannabinoids can alleviate acne and itchiness (CannaKeys, 2024b; CannaKeys, 2024j).
Skin Cancer (Non-Melanoma): Preliminary research explores cannabinoids’ anti-tumoral potential in basal and squamous cell carcinoma (CannaKeys, 2024d).
Allergic Contact Dermatitis: Cannabinoids may modulate immune response and reduce allergic skin reactions (CannaKeys, 2024c).
Wound Healing, Scarring, and Fibrosis: CBD aids in reducing scar formation and fibrosis after skin injury (CannaKeys, 2024g; CannaKeys, 2024k).

Summer Skincare with CBD: How to Use It

CBD Sunscreen – Cannabinoids can’t replace SPF, but they can enhance your sunscreen with powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits. For extra skin support, try mixing Bloom Hemp Natural Full Spectrum CBD Oil with your favorite SPF for added protection.

After-Sun Care – CBD topicals such as balms, creams, and lotions are an excellent way to care for your skin, especially after sun exposure. When infused with soothing ingredients like aloe vera, vitamin E, arnica, calendula, and chamomile, these products can help calm irritated skin, reduce redness, and provide a cooling sensation. They not only hydrate and repair damaged skin but also promote overall relief, making them a perfect addition to your post-sun skincare routine.

Daily Moisturizer – Achieve glowing, healthy skin with the power of CBD-enriched moisturizers. With daily use, you’ll enjoy consistent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits. Enhance your skincare routine by blending a few drops of an oil-based cannabinoid tincture with your favorite face or body lotion. This simple yet powerful addition delivers an extra dose of hydration and nourishment, leaving your skin rejuvenated, refreshed, and luxuriously cared for.

Love the Skin You’re In – Whether you’re combating dryness, soothing inflammation, or simply looking to maintain that radiant summer glow, cannabinoid topicals provide a holistic, science-backed approach to skincare. Designed to work in harmony with your body’s natural systems, these topicals help heal, protect, and restore balance—exactly what your skin needs after exposure to sun, sweat, saltwater, and heat. Pair CBD topicals with cannabinoid tinctures, softgels, or gummies for a comprehensive inside-and-out wellness routine.

Green Nurse Tip

For trusted cannabinoid skincare, visit the Green Nurse Approved Shop at Bloom Hemp CBD. Use promo code TOPICAL20 to save 20% on your order for the entire month of July and August every year!!

Unsure which CBD product is best for you? Speak with a professional by calling the Bloom Hemp Nurse Line at 970-404-HOPE (4673)—it’s completely free.

Even better, fill out an intake form and receive a free personalized care plan, thoughtfully crafted by expert cannabis nurses and delivered directly to your email.

Explore The Green Nurse Podcast’s Clinical Conversations Webinar on Skin Health, the Integumentary System, and the Endocannabinoid System. This insightful webinar session with Registered Nurses Sherri and Elisabeth Mack highlights the importance of skin health and delves into the benefits of CBD oils and topicals.

With You on the Journey,

Ask The Green Nurse with Sherri Mack BSN, RN & Elisabeth Mack MBA, BSN, RN

Ask The Green Nurse content on the Cannigma is brought to you by Holistic Caring & The Green Nurse and Bloom Hemp CBD.

Holistic Caring & The Green Nurse – Comprehensive cannabis education for patients and healthcare providers, including CEUs for nurses, along with expert coaching and consulting services.
Bloom Hemp CBD – Experience Doctor and Nurse-formulated Organic Hemp CBD, crafted with Ayurvedic inspiration and designed to target specific symptoms. Benefit from free access to a nurse hotline and personalized care plans, thoughtfully provided by expert cannabis nurses.

References

CannaKeys. (2024a). THC & CBD for the integumentary system.
CannaKeys. (2024b). THC & CBD for acne.
CannaKeys. (2024c). THC & CBD for allergic contact dermatitis.
CannaKeys. (2024d). THC & CBD for skin cancer (non-melanoma).
CannaKeys. (2024e). THC & CBD for eczema.
CannaKeys. (2024f). THC & CBD for burn injury.
CannaKeys. (2024g). THC & CBD for skin fibrosis and scar conditions.
CannaKeys. (2024h). THC & CBD for fungal infections.
CannaKeys. (2024i). THC & CBD for psoriasis.
CannaKeys. (2024j). THC & CBD for pruritus.
CannaKeys. (2024k). THC & CBD for disorders of skin and subcutaneous tissue.
CannaKeys. (2024l). THC & CBD for sunburn.
Holistic Caring. Skin disorders and the endocannabinoid system.
Project CBD. (2024). CBD topical medicine: What does the science say?.

The Cannigma is reader-supported. If you buy from one of the links in this article, including via the Amazon associate program, we may earn a commission (at no extra cost to you).

Was this useful for you? Yes 0 No 0

Why not?