CBD for Skin Health: How a New Study Sheds Light on Plant-Based Skincare

For anyone living with sensitive, itchy, or dry skin, the daily routine can feel like a battle. You wake up to redness, you scratch without realising, and every cream on the shelf promises more than it seems to deliver. Now imagine this isn’t just a bad day, but a constant cycle. That’s the reality of atopic dermatitis, often called eczema, a condition that affects more than 200 million people worldwide.

For years, the go-to advice has been simple: moisturise more. And while moisturisers play an essential role in soothing dry skin, a new wave of research suggests that some plant-based ingredients - like cannabidiol (CBD) and ginger extract - could do more than just hydrate. A recent clinical trial puts this idea to the test, offering a fresh look at how nature-inspired skincare may support the skin barrier and improve comfort.

Understanding Atopic Dermatitis and the Skin Barrier

Atopic dermatitis is not just “dry skin.” It’s a chronic inflammatory skin condition marked by flare-ups that bring intense itching, redness, and irritation. The problem lies deep in the skin barrier - the outermost layer of skin that acts like a shield. When the skin barrier is healthy, it locks in moisture and keeps out irritants, allergens, and microbes.

In people with eczema, this barrier doesn’t work properly. Gaps appear in the protective lipid layers (the natural fats that hold skin cells together), allowing water to escape and irritants to creep in. The result? A cycle of dryness, itch, and inflammation that can be difficult to break.

Conventional moisturisers help by creating a temporary seal over the skin, but they don’t always tackle the underlying barrier weakness. That’s where researchers have started to explore more advanced formulations.

Beyond Moisturisers: The Rise of “Emollients Plus”

Dermatologists often recommend emollients - creams or lotions that soften and hydrate skin - as the cornerstone of atopic dermatitis care. But while helpful, traditional emollients mainly offer surface-level relief.

Enter “emollients plus.” These next-generation creams still hydrate and protect, but they also include natural active ingredients designed to go further. Think of them as moisturisers with added plant-based power. Rather than only locking in moisture, they aim to address redness, itching, and barrier repair.

This concept has gained momentum in Europe, where guidelines now acknowledge the role of emollients plus as part of long-term skin management. And one combination in particular - CBD and ginger extract - has caught the attention of scientists.

CBD and Ginger: A Plant-Based Power Duo

CBD (cannabidiol) is a natural, non-psychoactive compound derived from the hemp plant. Unlike THC, it does not produce a “high.” Instead, CBD interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system - a network that helps regulate processes like mood, pain, and, importantly, skin health. Researchers have found that skin cells have receptors that respond to cannabinoids, suggesting CBD may play a role in calming irritation and supporting balance.

Ginger extract, long valued in traditional medicine, contains compounds with antioxidant and soothing properties. In laboratory studies, ginger has been shown to reduce markers of inflammation in skin cells.

When combined, CBD and ginger appear to work synergistically. Together, they may help reduce oxidative stress (the cellular “wear and tear” caused by free radicals) and support natural processes that keep the skin barrier strong. But until recently, most of this evidence came from the lab. What happens when real people use CBD and ginger on their skin? That’s what the latest study set out to discover.

Inside the 12-Week Clinical Trial

In a 2025 study published in Acta Dermato-Venereologica, researchers evaluated two oil-in-water creams containing CBD and ginger extract. One was a body lotion for daily use, and the other was an intensive care product for flare-ups.

A total of 100 people - both adults and children - with mild atopic dermatitis participated. Over 12 weeks, they applied the lotion twice a day and used the intensive product as needed. Researchers measured not only how participants felt (itch levels, quality of life, satisfaction) but also what was happening in the skin itself.

Here’s what they found:

• Itch relief came quickly and lasted – Within four weeks, participants reported a 53% reduction in itch intensity, with continued improvement over 12 weeks.

• Visible skin improvements were significant – Redness, dryness, scaling, and papules (small bumps) all decreased noticeably, with many participants achieving almost clear skin.

• Skin barrier recovery was observed under the microscope – Samples of the outer skin layer showed stronger, more organised lipid structures - signs of a repaired barrier.

• Quality of life improved – Adults and children reported less disruption to daily life, from sleep to social comfort.

• High satisfaction and tolerability – Over 90% of participants were satisfied with the products, and nearly all found them well tolerated.

Perhaps most strikingly, the number of flare-ups requiring corticosteroid creams (often prescribed for eczema) was dramatically lower compared with a control group using standard moisturisers.

What Makes This Study Stand Out

Many skincare claims are based on short-term studies or lab tests. This trial was different because it lasted long enough - 12 weeks - to cover multiple cycles of skin renewal. By looking at both patient-reported outcomes (how participants felt) and clinical measures (what doctors and instruments observed), it provided a fuller picture.

The skin barrier analysis was especially revealing. Researchers used advanced imaging to look at the lipid “bricks and mortar” structure of the outer skin. After three months of CBD and ginger use, the barrier looked more like that of healthy skin - less disrupted, more complete.

This suggests that plant-based ingredients may do more than soothe symptoms on the surface. They might also support the skin’s own ability to restore itself over time.

What This Could Mean for Everyday Skincare

So, what does all this mean if you’re standing in front of your bathroom mirror, deciding what to apply to your skin?

It suggests that CBD-based skincare, especially when combined with other botanicals like ginger, may offer more than temporary relief. By supporting the skin barrier and calming irritation, these formulations could help maintain balance in the long term.

Of course, it’s important to remember that CBD products are not medicines, and they are not a cure for atopic dermatitis or eczema. But for people looking for natural, plant-based support, they may represent a promising addition to the daily routine.

The Bigger Picture: CBD’s Role in Skin Health

This trial adds to a growing body of evidence that CBD may play a role in skincare. Other studies have explored its potential in calming redness, regulating oil production, and supporting overall skin balance.

The idea isn’t that CBD replaces conventional treatments, but that it could offer a gentler, plant-powered option for people seeking alternatives or complementary approaches. And as consumers increasingly demand clean, sustainable skincare, CBD’s non-psychoactive, plant-derived profile makes it a natural fit.

Takeaways and Future Directions

The 12-week trial of CBD and ginger-based emollients highlights an exciting step forward in skin health research:

• CBD for skin health is gaining scientific support, particularly in relation to barrier recovery and itch relief.

• Plant-based combinations like CBD and ginger may enhance the benefits of moisturisers, providing longer-lasting comfort.

• Consumer satisfaction and safety appear high, making these formulations practical for everyday use.

Looking ahead, more research will be needed to compare different formulations and understand exactly how CBD interacts with the skin. But for now, the findings suggest a promising role for CBD in supporting healthier, more resilient skin - especially when paired with other natural ingredients.

Conclusion: The Future of Plant-Powered Skincare

For those struggling with dry, itchy, or sensitive skin, the journey can be frustrating. Creams promise relief, but flare-ups often return. This new research offers a different perspective: what if skincare could do more than soothe? What if it could help restore the skin’s natural defences from within?

CBD, combined with ginger, like in our Glowshield moisturiser, appears to offer just that possibility. By blending modern science with plant-based wisdom, these formulations may represent the future of everyday skincare - gentle, effective, and rooted in nature.

At Harmony, we believe in making the science behind CBD accessible. While research continues, one thing is clear: the potential of CBD for skin health is only beginning to unfold.

Curious to learn more? Reach out with any questions - our team is here to help!

Sources

[1] Herrmann L, Andreev S, Ziegler R, Neubauer C, Moritz K, Maehler N, Steindl H, Daehnhardt-Pfeiffer S, Abels C. Long-term Progressive Improvement of Atopic Dermatitis by an Herbal Emollient Plus Combination in a 12-week Clinical Trial. Acta Derm Venereol. 2025 Jun 18;105:adv43026.