CBD for skin: acne, eczema, psoriasis and rosacea

Research on CBD for skin is developing but still early. Lab studies show that CBD calms inflammation and reduces excess oil in human skin cells. Small human studies of CBD creams in eczema, psoriasis and acne report less itch and better-looking skin. There are no large trials yet, and CBD is not a treatment for any skin disease.

This guide goes through the research condition by condition. For each study it gives the type (lab, animal or human) and the size, so you can see how far the evidence reaches. How CBD creams work, how far CBD gets into the skin and how to choose a product are covered in our CBD cream guide.

Why would CBD affect the skin at all?

Skin has its own endocannabinoid system. Receptors and signalling molecules sit in skin cells, oil glands and hair follicles, and they help keep cell growth, oil production and immune responses in balance (Bíró et al., 2009). Researchers link an imbalance in this system to acne, dermatitis, itch and psoriasis, which is why CBD is studied for these conditions. Our guide to the endocannabinoid system explains the basics.

Most findings so far come from cells in a dish. A 2024 review of CBD in cosmetic dermatology summarised lab evidence for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, moisturising and anti-acne effects, but noted that only a few clinical studies have been done (Kuzumi et al., 2024). An earlier review reached the same conclusion: promising preclinical data, with clinical results still to be confirmed (Baswan et al., 2020).

Can CBD help with acne?

Acne is where the lab evidence is strongest. Acne involves too much sebum (skin oil), blocked pores, bacteria and inflammation, and CBD has been studied against several of these.

• Human oil-gland cells (lab). In cultured human sebocytes and in pieces of human skin kept alive in the lab, CBD stopped the excess oil production triggered by acne-promoting substances. It also slowed the overgrowth of these cells and reduced inflammatory signals. The authors called CBD a promising candidate for acne research (Oláh et al., 2014).
• Other cannabinoids (lab). A follow-up study in the same cells found that CBC, CBDV and THCV also reduced acne-like oil production, while CBG and CBGV increased it, which may suit dry rather than oily skin. All of them had anti-inflammatory effects (Oláh et al., 2016).
• Oil glands and marks (lab). A 2024 cell study confirmed that CBD lowered fat production and inflammatory signals in sebocytes. It also increased collagen and elastin production, which is why the authors see possible relevance for acne marks (Lee et al., 2024).
• A first human study. A gel that combined CBD with centella and milk-thistle extracts was tested on 30 people with acne. Blemishes, mainly the inflamed ones, fell significantly. There was no placebo group, and the authors ask for controlled trials (Cohen et al., 2023).

A 2026 systematic review of CBD and hemp extracts for acne summed it up as "clinically promising" for mild to moderate inflammatory acne, but said the evidence is still preliminary, with small, mostly non-randomised studies (Komane and Kaye, 2026).

Can CBD cream help with eczema and dry skin?

Eczema (atopic dermatitis) has the most human studies, and itch is the outcome that responds most consistently.

• Skin cells (lab). In human skin cells used as a model of allergic contact dermatitis, CBD raised the skin's own endocannabinoid anandamide and reduced inflammatory messengers in a dose-dependent way (Petrosino et al., 2018).
• Self-reported eczema (human, 16 people). After two weeks with a topical CBD gel, eczema scores roughly halved, and 67% of participants reported less itch. It was an observational study without a control group (Maghfour et al., 2020).
• Diagnosed eczema (human, 5 people). In a retrospective case series, a CBD ointment without THC, used twice a day for three months, improved skin hydration, water loss and eczema scores. No irritation or allergic reactions were recorded (Palmieri et al., 2019).
• Randomised trial (human, 57 people). A cream combining CBD with aspartame improved eczema scores significantly more than placebo over two weeks. (Gao et al., 2022).
• Emollient trial (human, 44 people). A cosmetic cream with ginger extract and CBD reduced itch intensity by 55% within five days in adults and children with eczema, with no adverse events (Neubauer et al., 2024).
• Pilot study (human, 9 people). An ointment with CBD, CBG and hemp seed oil improved skin hydration and water loss and reduced redness on the forearms (Burczyk et al., 2025).

A 2025 meta-analysis pooled 17 studies of cannabinoid products for skin conditions, with 3,359 participants in total. It found a modest but statistically significant reduction in itch. For dryness and redness the pooled results leaned towards improvement but were not yet statistically clear, and the authors call for larger, standardised trials (Sermsaksasithorn et al., 2025).

Does CBD help with psoriasis?

Psoriasis involves skin cells that grow too fast and an overactive immune response. CBD has been studied on both.

• Skin cells (lab). CBD, CBG, CBN and THC all slowed the growth of fast-dividing human skin cells, the pattern seen in psoriasis plaques (Wilkinson and Williamson, 2007).
• Immune cells from patients (lab). In blood immune cells taken from people with psoriasis, CBD dampened several inflammatory responses, for example by making monocytes less able to mature and migrate (Pagano et al., 2024).
• CBD ointment (human, 5 people). In the Palmieri case series, the psoriasis group used a CBD ointment twice a day for three months. Skin hydration and elasticity improved, and so did the PASI severity score (Palmieri et al., 2019).
• CBD taken by mouth (human, 28 people). In a 2026 placebo-controlled trial of 60 mg of CBD a day taken by mouth, itch scores fell by week 8. The overall severity score did not change significantly, and side effects were mild and similar to placebo (Roongpisuthipong et al., 2026).

Psoriasis research is still at an early stage, and the one controlled trial so far gave CBD by mouth rather than on the skin. Psoriasis is a long-term immune condition, so it needs a diagnosis and a treatment plan from a doctor or dermatologist. A cosmetic cream can be part of your skin care, not a replacement for that plan.

Is CBD good for rosacea?

Rosacea research is the youngest of the four. In a 2025 mouse model of rosacea, CBD reduced redness, skin thickening and inflammatory cells, and it worked best combined with metronidazole, a standard rosacea medicine (Shrestha et al., 2025). Another Korean study found similar effects with CBG, a related cannabinoid, applied to the skin of mice (Kim and Lee, 2025). Human trials have not been published yet.

Rosacea-prone skin reacts easily, so patch testing matters most here. The American Academy of Dermatology advises people with sensitive skin to test a new product on the inside of the arm every day for 7–10 days before using it on the face (AAD).

What about scars and ageing skin?

In the Palmieri case series, 10 of the 20 people used the CBD ointment on scars left by skin disease, and their skin measurements and appearance improved over three months (Palmieri et al., 2019). A small open study in 10 people tested a face cream combining retinol and CBD for six weeks, and a blinded reviewer saw improvements in pores, dehydration lines and wrinkles (Few et al., 2022). Both studies were small and had no control group, so they point the way for future research rather than giving answers.

Is CBD safe to use on the skin?

So far, yes. In three patch-test studies on healthy volunteers, CBD formulations caused no irritation and no sensitisation (Maghfour et al., 2021). None of the human studies above reported serious skin reactions. Any cosmetic can still irritate someone, though, and the other ingredients in a cream matter as much as the CBD. Patch-test first, and stop using it if your skin reacts, including after time in the sun.

How do you patch-test a CBD cream?

1. Apply a small amount to the inside of your forearm, on clean, intact skin.
2. Repeat twice a day for 4–5 days. The AAD suggests this for any new skin care product (AAD). If your skin is sensitive or rosacea-prone, test once a day for 7–10 days.
3. Stop if you notice redness, itching, burning or swelling. Otherwise, start on a small area of the skin you want to care for.
4. Keep the product away from your eyes and don't apply it to broken or infected skin.

When should you see a dermatologist?

See a doctor or dermatologist if you have not been diagnosed yet, if the skin is painful, spreading, weeping or infected, if acne leaves scars, or if eczema, psoriasis or rosacea affects your sleep or daily life. Keep using any treatment you have been prescribed, and tell your doctor about any cosmetics you add. If you take medication, read CBD and medication interactions, and see CBD side effects for general safety. CBD Skin is not for use by people under 18 or during pregnancy or breastfeeding, as its label states.

Our CBD balm for everyday skin care is in the CBD cream collection.