When you Google "CBD & The Skin" there are many articles from the beauty industry speaking on how CBD is helping in the skin beauty industry. Sites like Marie Claire, Allure, and even The Today Show are talking about how CBD is showing up in the beauty industry. In this article we will discuss why your skin is so important and how CBD can keep it healthy and functioning at peak performance We don't think much about how important our skin is, but believe it or not it is the largest and one of the most important things on our body. The skin protects everything else inside our bodies and is hard at work all the time shedding, regenerating, protecting.

What makes up our skin?

The skin consists of 3 different layers, each of which have very important jobs. These layers are as follows:

• Epidermis : This is the part of the skin we see. It's m made up of scale like cells called squamous cells and under that are rounded cells called basal cells.This layer is the first line of defense against microbes, irradiation from UV rays, extreme heat and cold, chemicals, etc.It is thicker in some places and thinner in others. Think about the skin on your elbow vs. the skin under your eyes. It is responsible for:
• Protecting your body. The epidermis contains special cells that are a part of your immune system, protecting your body from bacteria, toxins, virus, etc.
• Making new skin cells. Made on the bottom layer of the epidermis, these cells travel to the surface and shed every month or so.
• Giving your skin it's color. The epidermis manufactures melanin by cells called melanocytes which is responsible for giving your skin it's color. When exposed to UV light, your skin produces more melanin as a protective measure.
• Dermis : This is the part of the skin underneath the epidermis. The dermis has a diverse selection of very big jobs. These jobs include:
• Supplying your skin with blood. The dermis contains small blood vessels that bring blood and oxygen to the surface of the skin and it also helps to filter toxins.
• Growing hair. The roots of your hair are anchored into the dermis and connected to tiny muscles that contract when we are cold, causing the skin to warm. This is why your hair stands up and you see tiny bumps called goosebumps when these muscles are triggered.
• Making sweat. Sweat is an odorless & colorless fluid that is produced in glands located in the dermis. The sweat is manufactured in the gland and then travels up to the surface of the skin where it is released by pores. Sweat is our body's way of cooling off as well as carrying toxins out of the body.
• Supporting your microbiome. Our skin is a literal ecosystem. We host millions of living organisms on the surface of our skin that play a vital role in keeping us healthy. Among these microorganisms is a bacteria that feeds on the sweat that we produce, which breaks id down and is the cause of body odor.
• Giving you the feels. Tiny nerve endings in the dermis send signals to the brain giving us our sense of touch.
• Subcutaneous : Below the dermis is the subcutaneous layer made up of fat and connective tissue. It is where the blood vessels become larger and feed to the rest of your body. It's responsible for:
• Helping to maintain body temperature. The fat and fibrous tissue in this layer provides an insulation layer to help keep cold out and hold heat in.
• Shock absorption. The subcutaneous layer offers the first line of defense from trauma by acting as a shock absorber against bumps and bruises. Without this layer things that are minor traumas could be catastrophic.
• Storage. The fat cells in this layer store energy that your body can use when undernourished.

How does CBD support skin health?

To understand how CBD can support the health of your skin, you first need to understand the Endocannabinoid System at work in your skin. The National Institute of Health has many papers about how manipulating the ECS by introducing external cannabinoids such as CBD helps to relieve a multitude of symptoms all throughout the body. Endocannabinoids are synthesized by several cell types in the skin & CB1 & CB2 Receptors are found on nearly all cell types. These endocannabinoids suppress inflammation in the body by modulating the immune cells and the skin is no exception.

The bottom line? Your skin is full of endocannabinoid receptors and your cells synthesize endocannabinoids. Using CBD and other cannabinoids help to boost this extremely important system and can provide relief for everything from acne to chronic nerve pain.... As your body's first line of defense against so much in this world your skin deserves the best care it can get.