Skin, hair and nails share a topic here, but each concern needs its own explanation. Our current articles focus on skin care and skin research; dedicated hair and nail articles are not yet available. This guide introduces everyday skin care and helps you put botanical and CBD research in context.
Keep everyday care simple
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends a simple approach built around gentle cleansing, moisturising and sun protection. Using more products can increase irritation rather than improve the result. A routine does not need to be expensive to be useful. Read the AAD's everyday skin-care guidance.
Choose products suited to your skin, follow their instructions and pay attention to how your skin responds. Moisturiser applied to damp skin helps retain water. For exposed skin, the AAD recommends broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher, alongside shade and protective clothing. A cosmetic containing CBD is not a substitute for sunscreen.
Dryness and irritation need attention
For dry skin, the AAD suggests shorter baths or showers with warm rather than hot water, gentle fragrance-free products and a cream or ointment to moisturise. If dryness persists despite changes, a dermatologist can check for an underlying condition. See the AAD's dry-skin advice.
Keep a note of when irritation started and any products you recently introduced. That can be useful when speaking with a pharmacist, GP or dermatologist. Do not assume that “plant-based” or “natural” means a product cannot irritate your skin.
Skin inflammation is a specific question
Inflammation is part of the body's response to injury or infection, but it can also continue inappropriately. The National Cancer Institute's definition explains that distinction. A general statement about inflammation does not diagnose the cause of a rash or establish a treatment for it.
Skin-specific research belongs here, while our Pain and inflammation guide explains the broader distinction between those two terms. They can be related, but they do not mean the same thing.
Read ingredient research carefully
When a study examines a plant extract, ask which extract and formulation were used, whether it was tested in people, and which skin condition or outcome was measured. Laboratory findings about an ingredient cannot demonstrate that a finished cream will treat a condition.
These articles cover research, not a personal treatment plan. Harmony sells cosmetics containing CBD; that commercial interest does not establish efficacy for acne, eczema, psoriasis or another disease. Do not replace prescribed treatment based on a product description or a study headline.
Hair and nails: separate questions
Evidence about a cream for a skin condition does not establish a benefit for hair growth or nail health. Until we have dedicated articles, the NHS provides starting points on hair loss and nail problems. Speak with a GP if hair loss worries you or you need help understanding a persistent nail change.
