Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is CBD Oil?Hemp Seed Oil vs. CBDCBD for Eczema SymptomsWhat Causes Eczema Flares?Is CBD for Eczema Safe?Best CBD for Eczema Flare-UpsHow to Buy CBDFrequently Asked Questions

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

What Is CBD Oil?

Hemp Seed Oil vs. CBD

CBD for Eczema Symptoms

What Causes Eczema Flares?

Is CBD for Eczema Safe?

Best CBD for Eczema Flare-Ups

How to Buy CBD

Frequently Asked Questions

Cannabidiol (CBD)is a natural compound found in the cannabis plant that can be prepared as oils, creams, and other products for use as a therapeutic remedy for many common ailments and health conditions. Some people use CBD oil for eczema.

Eczema(dermatitis) is a skin condition that causes patches of irritated, itchy, dry, inflamed skin. There are many types of eczema. While the exact cause is unknown, genetics, environmental factors, and the immune system are believed to be potential causes and triggers.

There is no cure for eczema, but there are ways to manage symptoms, includingover-the-counter (OTC) and prescription treatments. For people who prefer using natural remedies, CBD oil may help soothe and reduce their eczema symptoms.

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A white person’s hands holding a dark brown glass bottle of yellow oil and a dropper full of yellow oil on a yellow-green background.

7 Home Remedies for Eczema

Cannabis plants contain unique chemicals calledcannabinoids. The two majorcannabinoidsare:

BothCBD and THCinteract with a communication system in the body called theendocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is a complex biological system that plays a role in appetite, mood, memory, and sleep.

Research has suggested that the ECS contributes to the function and reproduction of skin cells.A dysregulated ECS is associated with dermatological disorders, including eczema and atopic dermatitis.

When applied topically to the skin, CBD interacts with cannabinoid receptors in the top layer of the skin (epidermis) and may offer therapeutic benefits including moisturizing the skin, reducing itchiness and inflammation, and promoting wound healing.

CBD oil comes in many forms, including creams, salves, balms, lotions, and oils.

CBD Oil: The Science Behind This Cannabis Plant Extract

In your search for plant-based remedies for treating eczema, you may have come across different options that derive from cannabis and hemp plants, including hemp seed oil, hemp oil, and CBD oil.

Understanding the differences can help you know what to look for when you’re shopping for whole hemp plant products for eczema.

There are many types of eczema, and they can show up in different parts of the body. Eczema of all types can cause itchy, dry, flaky patches of skin. In some cases, it may cause painful sores and blisters, which can leave the skin more susceptible to infection.

Types of eczema that may benefit from topical CBD include:

What Research Shows

There are limited studies on the effectiveness of topical CBD for people with eczema, psoriasis, and other skin conditions. However, some of the research suggests that CBD oil may have therapeutic potential for treating eczema, healing skin wounds, and soothing skin symptoms.

A study published in 2019 found that CBD ointment helped reduce itchiness, soothed redness and inflammation, and enhanced sleep in people with eczema.

A 2014 study found that hemp seed oil was useful for treating eczema and other skin conditions such as psoriasis, acne rosacea, and seborrheic dermatitis.The study also showed that hemp seed oil strengthens skin and makes it more resistant to bacterial, viral, and fungal infections.

Though eczema affects everyone differently, a number of common triggers can cause a flare-up of symptoms.

Common causes of eczema flares include:

What Triggers Eczema?

CBD is generally considered to be safe for use in treating eczema and other skin conditions. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, CBD oil might help reduce irritation, pain, swelling, and redness from skin conditions like eczema.

As with any topical treatment, it’s best to test CBD oil on a small patch of unaffected skin before applying it to larger areas where you have eczema.

To do a patch test, apply CBD oil to a small area and watch for 24 hours to check for any side effects (e.g., itching, redness, swelling).

Talk to your primary care physician or dermatologist before you try CBD, as they will want to discuss the potential side effects of using CBD products, as well as make sure that it will notinteract with any other medications, supplements, or treatmentsthat you are using.

Does CBD Have Side Effects?

Topical CBD comes in many forms, including creams, lotions, serums, balms, and salves.

One of the best defenses against eczema is keeping your skin well hydrated. Thicker topicals that contain ingredients for both skin protection and moisturization can be especially helpful.

CBD products also come in different preparations. The availability of these products (especially those that contain THC) will vary from state to state.

Does CBD Oil Help With Pain?

With many CBD and hemp oil options for eczema, it can be challenging to know what products to choose. Here are some key points to consider when you’re picking a product:

A Word From Verywell

While there are many OTC and prescription treatments for eczema, if you are looking for a natural way to manage your symptoms, CBD products might be an option.

Research on how effective CBD is for treating skin conditions like eczema is limited, but has shown that products that contain CBD might help reduce the dry skin, itchiness, and inflammation that is associated with eczema.

It’s important that you talk to your doctor before you try a CBD product, as it can have side effects and might interact with other treatments that you use for eczema.

Before you use CBD on your skin, do a spot test on a place that does not have eczema on it to make sure that you do not have a sensitivity or reaction.

Does CBD help with itchy skin from eczema?

CBD has anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce irritating eczema symptoms such as itching, pain, and dry skin.

How does the ECS work?

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) helps regulate many physiological processes, including sleep, immune function, and pain.

Research has shown that the endocannabinoid system also plays a role in skin health.A dysregulated ECS is associated with dermatological disorders such as eczema and atopic dermatitis.

When applied topically, CBD’s anti-inflammatory, anti-itch, and pain-reducing properties interact with the ECS, which might make it an effective treatment for many skin conditions.

Is CBD good for skin conditions?

Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, CBD is commonly used to treat skin conditions and soothe symptoms—especially the dryness, itching, and pain often associated with eczema, dermatitis, and psoriasis.

Is CBD for eczema safe?

CBD is generally considered to be a safe alternative treatment for eczema. However, as with any skincare product, you’ll want to do a patch test first to make sure that you do not have a sensitivity or allergy.

Apply CBD to a small patch of unaffected skin and wait for 24 hours, watching for symptoms of irritation such as itching, redness, and pain. If no symptoms develop, you can try the product on your eczema patches, but a reaction is still possible.

11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Río CD, Millán E, García V, Appendino G, DeMesa J, Muñoz E.The endocannabinoid system of the skin. A potential approach for the treatment of skin disorders.Biochem Pharmacol. 2018;157:122-133. doi:10.1016/j.bcp.2018.08.022Tóth KF, Ádám D, Bíró T, Oláh A.Cannabinoid signaling in the skin: therapeutic potential of the “c(ut)annabinoid” system.Molecules. 2019;24(5):918. doi:10.3390/molecules24050918Tabassum N, Hamdani M.Plants used to treat skin diseases.Pharmacogn Rev. 2014;8(15):52-60. doi:10.4103/0973-7847.125531National Eczema Association.Atopic dermatitis.National Eczema Association.Contact dermatitis.Baswan SM, Klosner AE, Glynn K, et al.Therapeutic potential of cannabidiol (CBD) for skin health and disorders.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2020;13:927-942. doi:10.2147/CCID.S286411Palmieri B, Laurino C, Vadalà M.A therapeutic effect of CBD-enriched ointment in inflammatory skin diseases and cutaneous scars.Clin Ter. 2019;170(2):e93-e99. doi:10.7417/CT.2019.2116National Eczema Association.Eczema causes and triggers.Moltke J, Hindocha C.Reasons for cannabidiol use: a cross-sectional study of CBD users, focusing on self-perceived stress, anxiety, and sleep problems.J Cannabis Res. 2021;3(1):5. doi:10.1186/s42238-021-00061-5Oláh A, Tóth BI, Borbíró I, et al.Cannabidiol exerts sebostatic and antiinflammatory effects on human sebocytes.J Clin Invest. 2014;124(9):3713-3724. doi:10.1172/JCI64628Russo EB.The case for the entourage effect and conventional breeding of clinical cannabis: no “strain,” no gain.Front Plant Sci. 2019;9:1969. doi:10.3389/fpls.2018.01969

11 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Río CD, Millán E, García V, Appendino G, DeMesa J, Muñoz E.The endocannabinoid system of the skin. A potential approach for the treatment of skin disorders.Biochem Pharmacol. 2018;157:122-133. doi:10.1016/j.bcp.2018.08.022Tóth KF, Ádám D, Bíró T, Oláh A.Cannabinoid signaling in the skin: therapeutic potential of the “c(ut)annabinoid” system.Molecules. 2019;24(5):918. doi:10.3390/molecules24050918Tabassum N, Hamdani M.Plants used to treat skin diseases.Pharmacogn Rev. 2014;8(15):52-60. doi:10.4103/0973-7847.125531National Eczema Association.Atopic dermatitis.National Eczema Association.Contact dermatitis.Baswan SM, Klosner AE, Glynn K, et al.Therapeutic potential of cannabidiol (CBD) for skin health and disorders.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2020;13:927-942. doi:10.2147/CCID.S286411Palmieri B, Laurino C, Vadalà M.A therapeutic effect of CBD-enriched ointment in inflammatory skin diseases and cutaneous scars.Clin Ter. 2019;170(2):e93-e99. doi:10.7417/CT.2019.2116National Eczema Association.Eczema causes and triggers.Moltke J, Hindocha C.Reasons for cannabidiol use: a cross-sectional study of CBD users, focusing on self-perceived stress, anxiety, and sleep problems.J Cannabis Res. 2021;3(1):5. doi:10.1186/s42238-021-00061-5Oláh A, Tóth BI, Borbíró I, et al.Cannabidiol exerts sebostatic and antiinflammatory effects on human sebocytes.J Clin Invest. 2014;124(9):3713-3724. doi:10.1172/JCI64628Russo EB.The case for the entourage effect and conventional breeding of clinical cannabis: no “strain,” no gain.Front Plant Sci. 2019;9:1969. doi:10.3389/fpls.2018.01969

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Río CD, Millán E, García V, Appendino G, DeMesa J, Muñoz E.The endocannabinoid system of the skin. A potential approach for the treatment of skin disorders.Biochem Pharmacol. 2018;157:122-133. doi:10.1016/j.bcp.2018.08.022Tóth KF, Ádám D, Bíró T, Oláh A.Cannabinoid signaling in the skin: therapeutic potential of the “c(ut)annabinoid” system.Molecules. 2019;24(5):918. doi:10.3390/molecules24050918Tabassum N, Hamdani M.Plants used to treat skin diseases.Pharmacogn Rev. 2014;8(15):52-60. doi:10.4103/0973-7847.125531National Eczema Association.Atopic dermatitis.National Eczema Association.Contact dermatitis.Baswan SM, Klosner AE, Glynn K, et al.Therapeutic potential of cannabidiol (CBD) for skin health and disorders.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2020;13:927-942. doi:10.2147/CCID.S286411Palmieri B, Laurino C, Vadalà M.A therapeutic effect of CBD-enriched ointment in inflammatory skin diseases and cutaneous scars.Clin Ter. 2019;170(2):e93-e99. doi:10.7417/CT.2019.2116National Eczema Association.Eczema causes and triggers.Moltke J, Hindocha C.Reasons for cannabidiol use: a cross-sectional study of CBD users, focusing on self-perceived stress, anxiety, and sleep problems.J Cannabis Res. 2021;3(1):5. doi:10.1186/s42238-021-00061-5Oláh A, Tóth BI, Borbíró I, et al.Cannabidiol exerts sebostatic and antiinflammatory effects on human sebocytes.J Clin Invest. 2014;124(9):3713-3724. doi:10.1172/JCI64628Russo EB.The case for the entourage effect and conventional breeding of clinical cannabis: no “strain,” no gain.Front Plant Sci. 2019;9:1969. doi:10.3389/fpls.2018.01969

Río CD, Millán E, García V, Appendino G, DeMesa J, Muñoz E.The endocannabinoid system of the skin. A potential approach for the treatment of skin disorders.Biochem Pharmacol. 2018;157:122-133. doi:10.1016/j.bcp.2018.08.022

Tóth KF, Ádám D, Bíró T, Oláh A.Cannabinoid signaling in the skin: therapeutic potential of the “c(ut)annabinoid” system.Molecules. 2019;24(5):918. doi:10.3390/molecules24050918

Tabassum N, Hamdani M.Plants used to treat skin diseases.Pharmacogn Rev. 2014;8(15):52-60. doi:10.4103/0973-7847.125531

National Eczema Association.Atopic dermatitis.

National Eczema Association.Contact dermatitis.

Baswan SM, Klosner AE, Glynn K, et al.Therapeutic potential of cannabidiol (CBD) for skin health and disorders.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2020;13:927-942. doi:10.2147/CCID.S286411

Palmieri B, Laurino C, Vadalà M.A therapeutic effect of CBD-enriched ointment in inflammatory skin diseases and cutaneous scars.Clin Ter. 2019;170(2):e93-e99. doi:10.7417/CT.2019.2116

National Eczema Association.Eczema causes and triggers.

Moltke J, Hindocha C.Reasons for cannabidiol use: a cross-sectional study of CBD users, focusing on self-perceived stress, anxiety, and sleep problems.J Cannabis Res. 2021;3(1):5. doi:10.1186/s42238-021-00061-5

Oláh A, Tóth BI, Borbíró I, et al.Cannabidiol exerts sebostatic and antiinflammatory effects on human sebocytes.J Clin Invest. 2014;124(9):3713-3724. doi:10.1172/JCI64628

Russo EB.The case for the entourage effect and conventional breeding of clinical cannabis: no “strain,” no gain.Front Plant Sci. 2019;9:1969. doi:10.3389/fpls.2018.01969

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