The UK CBD market is on track to reach an estimated £1 billion by 2025; a staggering number considering the industry is still in its infancy.
The compound is now being infused into all kinds of products from chocolate and crisps to bed sheets and face masks.
In 2021, the range of CBD products on the market is only expected to grow and as the industry continues to attract investment, more is likely to be funnelled into research and development.
A report penned by Prohibition Partners, a cannabis market intelligence company, estimated that the CBD skincare market will reach US$959 million in sales in 2024.
The report explains that the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of cannabis is disrupting the traditional beauty market as the consumer seeks more natural cosmetics products.
Prohibition Partners’ Managing Director Stephen Murphy, said: “There are constant questions on the longevity of this trend but with the ability to act as a natural anti-inflammatory agent and an antioxidant, cannabis is becoming one of the most disruptive forces in the beauty and personal care industry in the last two decades.”
There are two types of CBD product that can be applied to the skin; topical and transdermal.
Topical products only work on the top three layers of the skin, so no CBD is absorbed into the bloodstream. They are usually applied to target a specific area of discomfort in the body.
Transdermal products, on the other hand, are able to penetrate through the skin and into muscle tissue, with a portion being absorbed into the bloodstream.
Rather than being applied as a lotion or cream, transdermal products are often sold in the form of patches. With benefits that extend beyond the specific area of pain, transdermal products are expected to continue to grow in popularity in 2021.
Studies have shown that CBD may have the potential to improve quality of sleep, so it comes as no surprise that bedding companies are finding ways to infuse their products with CBD.
Therapedic is one of the biggest names in the industry to develop a line of CBD products which include CBD-infused mattresses and covers.
Speaking to Furniture Today, Therapedic CEO Gerry Borreggine said: “Currently, CBD is an unregulated supplement, but studies have been published claiming it has been clinically proven to induce calmness and has been used in treating insomnia. Who wouldn’t want that in a mattress?”
- CBD toothpaste and mouthwash
A number of companies are putting CBD in toothpaste and mouthwash to prevent common dental hygiene issues, including plaque and gingivitis.
Although this may sound dubious, the Journal of Cannabis Research published a study earlier this year which found that CBD-infused mouthwash had a similar effectiveness as chlorhexidine; a core ingredient in prescription mouthwashes.
International healthcare company, AXIM Biotechnologies Inc. is one of the leading companies creating CBD products for the mouth. Axim CEO John W. Huemoeller II told Forbes: “CBD is a powerful antibiotic and anti-inflammatory, so we have found it has great benefits in relation to oral care after years of offering our patented CBD-based chewing gum. The inclusion of CBD for anti-inflammatory and antibiotic is intended to aid reduction in gum swelling while helping to eliminate infection-causing bacteria.”
Sticking with the theme of dental hygiene, Arizona-based company, Purekana, has recently added CBD-infused toothpicks to its line of products which contain a dose of 10 to 25 mg of CBD.
There’s no evidence for this specific product, however Purekana claims the CBD enters the bloodstream almost instantaneously via tissues in the sublingual cavity.
The CBD drinks industry is expected to skyrocket in 2021, posing a real threat to the alcohol and beverage industry.
Forward thinking companies such as Molson Coors and Anheuser-Busch InBev have caught wind of the trend and have began to strike up partnerships with cannabis brands.
CBD-infused drinks are expected to attract the growing number of health-conscious consumers looking for an alternative to alcoholic beverages.
CBD has only been on the market in the UK for a few years, so academic research remains in the early stages. H
However, as the cannabis market continues to grow and more money is fed into the industry, more investment is likely to be put into research in 2021.
With better scientific understanding, trust in CBD across a wider range of people is likely to increase and further drive the market.