Jul 17, 2024 - Health

CBD may help protect skin from sun damage: study

Maya Goldman

Illustration of a marijuana leaf wearing sunglasses and holding a reflective tanning board — Illustration: Natalie Peeples/Axios

An active ingredient in marijuana could help shield skin from sun damage, according to new research in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Why it matters: As the CBD skin care market grows, it's the first evidence showing cannabidiol cream effectively reduces damage and DNA mutations associated with ultraviolet A-induced skin cancer, according to the study authors.

Zoom in: Study participants applied either CBD cream or the same cream without cannabidiol to their skin twice a day for 14 days, then had their skin exposed to ultraviolet radiation.

Researchers from George Washington University and the Center for Clinical and Cosmetic Research found less cellular and DNA damage on the skin of participants who'd used CBD cream.

Reality check: Don't substitute out your regular sun protection for CBD just yet. The researchers didn't look at how CBD cream compares with current UV protection options like sunscreen.

Additionally, just 20 people participated in the test.

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CBD may help protect skin from sun damage: study

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