Topical CBD Shown to Protect Skin Against UV Damage in Clinical Trial

Skin cancer is widely accepted as one of the most common types of this disease; it is also one of the most preventable.  Aside from simply never going outside, sunscreen lotions are one of our best lines of defense against it.

Unfortunately, some (not all) of these are either laden with ‘forever chemicals’ – substances that do not break down, and accumulate within the human body – or are perceived as being not as effective as they can be due to existing regulations.  While using sunscreen is, without a doubt, the lesser of two evils when considering the high occurrence rates of skin cancer, it is still not ideal to be introducing forever chemicals to your body with a substance that the American Academy of Dermatology recommends applying literally every time you go outside.

Unsurprisingly, this has resulted in many searching for and considering natural and, hopefully, more effective alternatives.  Recently, a group of researchers made progress on this front, proving in a randomized clinical study¹ that CBD-infused lotions applied topically demonstrated an ability to reduce damage from UV-A.  In its paper, the team states,

“To our knowledge, this trial is the first to identify UV-protective capacity of CBD-containing topicals in humans.”

A Natural Alternative?

While the team notes that the study’s sample size is a limitation, the results were certainly promising, with 21% of participants boasting positive results. Importantly, this ability to prevent damage from UV radiation refers to UV-A, the most prevalent type we are exposed to.

UV-A: Ultraviolet A (320-400 nm) is a type of UV radiation that penetrates deeply into the skin, contributing to skin aging and long-term skin damage, including cancer. It constitutes about 95% of the UV radiation reaching the Earth’s surface.

UV-B: Ultraviolet B (290-320 nm) is a more intense type of UV radiation responsible for sunburn and direct DNA damage. It plays a significant role in developing skin cancer but is absorbed mainly by the ozone layer.

The Bottom Line

No product is perfect, but when comparing the potential harm of existing sunscreen lotions to the prospect of developing skin cancer, the choice becomes clear—use sunscreen lotion.  Organizations like the FDA are tasked with understanding and mitigating risks associated with the products allowed on shelves for purchase, including sunscreen lotions.

While early looks at the potential for CBD-infused topicals to assume a role as a natural alternative are promising, there is not enough data to stop using existing options.  For now, CBD-infused topical lotions should only be considered as a supplement to existing options when taken to prevent skin damage.

Regardless, these insights into another potential benefit derived from Cannabis further underscore this wonder plant’s amazing versatility and untapped potential.

Tips for Maintaining Skin Health

• Hydration: Drinking plenty of water helps maintain skin elasticity and resilience, reducing the risk of damage from UV exposure.
• UPF Clothing: Wearing clothing with a high Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) shields your skin from harmful UV rays, reducing the risk of skin cancer.
• Regularly Applied Sunscreen: Applying sunscreen consistently creates a protective barrier against UV radiation, preventing skin damage and lowering cancer risk.
• Monitor UV Index Values: Checking the UV index and avoiding sun exposure during peak times minimizes the risk of harmful UV exposure.
• Complexion Awareness: Understanding that fair skin has less melanin, which provides UV protection, is crucial as it increases susceptibility to skin cancer.

Study Reference:

^{1. McCormick, E., Han, H., Abdel Azim, S., Whiting, C., Bhamidipati, N., Kiss, A., Efimova, T., Berman, B., & Friedman, A. (2024). Topical nanoencapsulated cannabidiol cream as an innovative strategy combating UV-A-induced nuclear and mitochondrial DNA injury: A pilot randomized clinical study. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 91(5), 855–862. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2024.06.088}