We know from our customers’ and our own experience that cannabis is effective at balancing and healing skin. But we’re thrilled to see new clinical trials coming out now that prove how and to what extent. The most exciting new research shows that cannabis is better than vitamin C for skin, something even we were surprised by.

Decades of scientific in vitro studies already demonstrate that cannabinoids in cannabis and hemp have strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, antimicrobial, and antibacterial properties. These studies cover many of the dozens of cannabinoids from the Cannabis sativa plant, including cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinolic acid (CBDA), cannabigerol (CBG), cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), cannabichromene (CBC), cannabinol (CBN), and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

The cannabinoids studied to date — even THC — show incredible promise as effective skin treatments, without the negative side effects that typically come with pharmaceutical treatments, such as Acutane.

New clinical trial proves CBG and CBD reduce free radicals better than vitamin C

And now in 2022, a first-of-its-kind clinical trial demonstrates that “CBG and CBD reduce reactive oxygen species levels [free radicals]…better than vitamin C.”

While the study title is a mouthful (In Vitro and Clinical Evaluation of Cannabigerol (CBG) Produced via Yeast Biosynthesis: A Cannabinoid with a Broad Range of Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Health-Boosting Properties), the results are short and to the point. Cannabis is even better than vitamin C for skin.

This says a lot, because vitamin C is a Super Antioxidant

Don’t get us wrong; we still love us some vitamin C for skin. It rightfully makes dermatologists’ top 5 most important ingredients for effective skincare regimens worldwide. That’s why we combine a high-quality, stable form of vitamin C with cannabinoids in our concentrated face serums. The benefits of vitamin C are many, and scientifically proven. Vitamin C:

• Stimulates collagen production (in fact, collagen synthesis can’t happen without vitamin C)
• Promotes firmness
• Hydrates skin
• Brightens skin
• Reduces redness
• Reduces hyperpigmentation
• Reduces the appearance of under-eye circles
• Protects against sun damage (as all antioxidants do)
• Soothes sunburns
• Helps heal skin wounds

High-quality, stable forms of vitamin C can do all of the above and more. As a cannabis skincare company, imagine how excited we were when we read the newest research showing that the cannabinoid CBG is even better than vitamin C! Actual scientific data — clinical trials with humans, no less — that prove what Green Bee customers and we ourselves have been experiencing: Cannabinoids are the Next Big Thing in Skincare. For good reason.

Real vs. synthetic CBG

The 2022 CBG clinical trial was conducted by Signum Biosciences, a private biotechnology company in New Jersey. Signum is developing therapeutics for several skin conditions, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, asthma and COPD. Their CBG clinical trial used a synthetic form of CBG, to reduce the time and cost involved in extracting CBG from the actual Cannabis sativa plant.

CBG is a rare cannabinoid, usually making up less than 1% of the Cannabis sativa plant, unless a farmer cultivates the plant specifically for CBG, as our friend Aaron Keefer did this year at Sonoma Hills Farm, our official farm partner. Even if it’s bred for it, it’s both challenging and expensive to extract pure CBG from real Cannabis sativa plants. But we choose to use natural, plant-based CBG extract for Green Bee Botanicals products, especially our award-winning Quench Moisturizer, because the effectiveness and results are superior to synthetic CBG. And you’re worth it!

CBG is the Rolls Royce of cannabinoids

In a separate 2021 study, researchers at the Maria Curie-Sklodowska University’s Institute of Chemical Sciences proved that CBG — “the Rolls Royce of cannabinoids” according to InStyle — is the most antioxidant of all. That same research shows that CBG, CBD and even THC exhibit stronger antioxidant activity compared to vitamins E, A and C. This is a surprise because vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E have all three been on the list of the best antioxidants for skin of every dermatologist worth their salt for decades.

The secret? Your endocannabinoid system

We predict that future research will explain why cannabis is even better for your skin than individual vitamins, and that it will all come down to the endocannabinoid system, which you can read all about on our website here. We were as floored to learn about this truly extraordinary part of our human anatomy as you’ll be when you discover it, if you haven’t already.

It’s our endocannabinoid system that makes CBG an especially ideal ingredient for your skin, because the cannabinoids in cannabis seek to create balance, regardless of which end of the imbalance spectrum your skin is on. So whether your skin is bone dry or acne prone, suffering from sun damage or winter weather, high-quality CBG, CBD, CBC, THC and other cannabinoids will help your skin restore itself. CBG is also an excellent candidate for psoriasis, eczema, rosacea, cystic acne and other intractable skin issues — as we’ve learned from many of our customers — along with other compounds in the Cannabis sativa plant, whether from hemp or cannabis (see “What’s the difference between cannabis and hemp?” in our FAQ). Hey, even David Beckham is getting behind CBG skincare.

No, our skincare will not get you high, sorry

As a reminder, our skincare and pain-relieving topicals will not get you high, even our products made with THC. Cannabinoids, when applied topically to your skin, do not enter the bloodstream, and therefore cannot reach your brain to create psychoactive effects. We use as much of the cannabis and hemp plant in our products as we can because all cannabinoids researched to date have extraordinary antioxidant properties, including THC, as well as incredible anti-inflammatory and other skin-healing benefits.

Want to learn more about CBG?

For even more on CBG, read our blog, What is CBG and why is it good for your skin.

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Please ask us any questions and share your comments and experiences below. Education is the key!