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CBD has experienced a surge in popularity in recent years, with the ingredient being incorporated into a diverse range of products, including drinks, edibles, oils, and skincare. This booming popularity can be owed to the hemo derivative’s wide range of perceived health and wellness benefits, which has piqued the interest of millions of people in the UK alone. With CBD skincare products finding their way into many a wellness routine this summer, you might wonder: Could CBD help to soothe sunburn?
We’re well and truly into the summer months - and what a summer it has been! With more sun than many of us ever dared to hope for, you may well have been caught off guard without adequate sun protection. And you wouldn’t be alone. According to surveys, over a third of Brits report being sunburnt. But what exactly is sunburn, and how does it affect us?
Exposure to the sun is essential for our health. Not only is it required for vitamin D synthesis - a nutrient that is crucial for our bone health - but it also helps to boost our mood and regulate our sleep-wake cycle for better sleep. However, excessive sun exposure can cause damage to our skin and even increase our risk of disease.
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation can cause damage to skin cells, triggering an inflammatory response that leads to the skin becoming red, sore, and hot. In severe cases, the skin may even blister. While we often consider sunburn to be a relatively minor concern, it can cause significant pain and suffering, making it important to identify effective remedies.
Given the commonness of sunburn, there are plenty of options when it comes to sunburn relief. All kinds of ointments and creams can be found in pharmacies and supermarkets, many of which incorporate plant-sourced ingredients, including aloe vera gel and cucumber extract.
Many of these products aim to cool the skin and soothe the damage caused by sunburn. For example, aloe vera possesses anti-inflammatory and hydrating properties that can help to rehydrate the skin and soothe pain. Moreover, some evidence suggests aloe vera extracts may help to boost collagen production, potentially promoting faster healing.
For some, natural home remedies may be preferable to over-the-counter products. This might include soaking the affected area in a tea preparation. Tea contains tannins, natural compounds that can help reduce inflammation. Other options include witch hazel and oats, which are often used to soothe skin complaints. Such remedies can be great as they are very accessible.
So, where does CBD come into all this?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a natural derivative of the hemp plant - a type of low-THC cannabis. Hemp has been used by humans for countless applications throughout history. Not only has its fibre been used in the manufacture of ropes, clothing, and even housing and weapons, but its leaves and seeds have long been a staple in medicinal preparations.
Written records suggest that hemp has been used for many medical purposes, including the dressing of wounds. This is likely due to the anti-inflammatory potential of many cannabis-derived compounds. Today, CBD and other hemp compounds can be found in a wide range of topical products designed to utilise these potential benefits. But is there any evidence to suggest that CBD could be beneficial for sunburn?
In 2024, the findings of a small, single-centre trial including 19 participants were published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. The researchers of the study aimed to establish whether CBD may have protective benefits against UV radiation.
During the study, participants applied a CBD cream to one buttock and a placebo cream to the other buttock, twice a day for 14 days. After this period, the treated skin was exposed to enough UV radiation to injure or burn the skin. Researchers performed skin biopsies 24 hours later to record any differences between the two treated areas.
They found that 21% of the participants had less redness on the skin treated with CBD. Moreover, CBD-treated skin had less skin thickening (a potential reaction to sun damage) and DNA damage and mutations were also reduced following CBD application. The authors of the study note that these findings indicate that CBD could be “an additional weapon” against UVA radiation.
However, more research is needed to understand the potential of CBD as a preventative or treatment for sunburn, including identifying the most suitable dosage.
But while we may need to wait a little longer before we know whether CBD could help soothe our sunburn, there are plenty of CBD Skincare options to explore in the meantime. Browse our full range of Green Therapy CBD Skincare today to discover how CBD could lift your everyday regimen.
