Cellular Goods has filed its first patent application for a cannabinoid-based skin brightening solution.

The UK-based wellness company that provides consumer products formulated with lab-made cannabinoids, has announced the filing of its first patent application, related to the use of cannabinoids for skin brightening. 

Internal and external factors like hormonal changes during pregnancy and exposure to the sun can cause skin conditions such as melasma and hyperpigmentation that can make the skin tone change and become uneven. 

Within the cosmetics and beauty industry, a number of products have been developed  to help people achieve an even and brighter skin tone.  

Most products in the market rely primarily on active ingredients such as Vitamin C,  exfoliating acids and hydroquinones that while effective in tackling melasma and hyperpigmentation,  can cause skin irritation and sensitivity. 

This has created a need for new ingredients that are equally  effective as the components in traditional skin brightening products, but that don’t produce the uncomfortable side effects and have better tolerability for frequent use. 

Cellular Goods conducted scientific research to assess the potential of cannabinoids as skin brightening ingredients. 

The series of research, which involved in-vitro human tissue models, a well-established method for assessing the effectiveness of skin brightening ingredients, found that lab-made cannabinoids, namely cannabigerol (CBG), can improve the effectiveness of  certain active ingredients used in traditional skin brightening products. 

These findings provide the basis for a new class of skin brightening solutions that can improve skin tone evenness associated with various  factors, such as melasma and hyperpigmentation. 

This application is the first patent filed by the company and is anticipated to form part of a wider patent portfolio driven by Cellular Goods’ research into the wellness benefits of lab-made cannabinoids.  

The company has been using research to offer customers innovative products such as its Rejuvenating Cannabinoid Face Serum, the UK’s first CBG-based serum to prevent the signs of ageing caused by UV light exposure and inflammation.

Anna Chokina, CEO of Cellular Goods, said: “From having skin brightening properties, through to helping prevent the signs of ageing caused by UV light exposure and inflammation, cannabinoids have a number of skincare benefits that we are only just starting to understand. The filing of this patent based  on our own research is part of our efforts to help unveil the benefits of cannabinoids, as well as to  develop science-backed innovations that can improve people’s wellness. 

“We look forward to  contributing to the growing body of research on cannabinoids, particularly their skincare benefits, while  also growing our patent portfolio.” 

Alexia Blake, head of research and product development added: “We are proud  to be developing the body of research on the skin brightening qualities of cannabinoids with the  completion of our research and the filing of this patent. 

“This work builds on our existing research involving lab-made cannabinoids, including the publication of a white paper on the potential benefits  that cannabinoids can have for the skin by preventing the signs of ageing caused by UV exposure and  inflammation. We are committed to continuing to develop research that will help us better understand the unique benefits of cannabinoids and how to effectively leverage these benefits across our product  offerings.” 

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CBD and cannabis journalist, Ruby Deevoy shares her favourite CBD skincare products.

If you’re someone who suffers from acne, eczema, psoriasis or perhaps the all-new ‘covid skin’ from prolonged mask wearing, it may come as exciting news for you that CBD topicals might be able to help. A lot.

While CBD is perhaps best known for its oral use and internal benefits (and it’s worth noting that this also comes into play when treating external complaints), there’s growing evidence to support how efficacious topical CBD application can be too. As usual, this is via multiple mechanisms.

The endocannabinoid system of the skin

Did you know that almost every skin cell contains endocannabinoid receptors? As our largest organ, the skin plays a vital role in a large number of bodily processes, even producing hormones and housing its own immune system. It’s extremely complex, made of numerous layers and cell types, and acts as our first defence against microbes, pollution, UV rays, allergens, chemicals and more. 

A large part of how the skin maintains a strong, waterproof barrier is endocannabinoid tone. This is created when endocannabinoids such as Anandamide and 2-AG are released on demand to keep the skin in balance – exactly the same as its actions inside the body.

Maintaining equilibrium in skin function, whether that’s by balancing sebum, promoting cell growth and division, or eliminating cells no longer required, is of course essential for overall skin health. Applying CBD products topically can help achieve this.

CBD and skin inflammation 

CBD (as well as many other cannabinoids and terpenes) is well known for exerting anti-inflammatory properties, both inside and out. It also keeps the immune system in check (the skin’s own immune system included), by preventing its activation when it’s not needed. Controlling inflammation is often key to overall health, skin health included. What’s more, reducing inflammation can provide near instant relief from the pain of cystic acne and eczema. 

CBD works deep into the skin

Treating surface symptoms can certainly make a difference to the discomfort and appearance of skin conditions, but it may not deal with the root cause. Fortunately, CBD works deeper, interacting with keratinocytes, mast cells, melanocytes and sebocytes in the layers of the skin to produce lipostatic, anti-proliferative, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects. This should equate to reduced swelling, redness, itching and pain. 

Hemp seed oil for skin

In addition to cannabinoid-rich CBD oil, hemp seed oil (which contains no cannabinoids) also makes a tremendous addition to any skincare routine. It can be used as a cleanser or a moisturiser and is often included in CBD skincare products.

This is because hemp seed oil is densely nutritious, containing a range of vitamins and minerals (vitamin E, carotene, phytosterols, phospholipids, sulfur, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc to name a few), a perfect Omega 3:6 ratio and all 21 amino acids which are crucial for proper cell function.

These amino acids can be particularly beneficial for those with acne prone skin, which tends to have a problematic imbalance of high oleic acid and linoleic acid, and dry or inflamed skin conditions which have been indicated to appear alongside a deficiency in essential fatty acids. 

If you’re worried about this thick oil clogging your pores, you needn’t be – because hemp seed oil is non-comedogenic. It also matches your skin’s natural fats almost exactly, which enables it to penetrate cells and lubricate the surface between them, for impressive hydrating, soothing action and improved water resistance and retention.

Five of the best CBD skincare products

Kloris luxury CBD balm, £62, 800mg CBD

This is a rescue balm everyone should have in the house! Just 1ml of this fragrance-free product contains 13.3mg CBD, so each application provides a very decent dose of broad spectrum CBD. I’ve seen it work wonders on a multitude of skin complaints, from minor burns to eczema.

Cubid Re:scue Butter, £30, 500mg CBD

An exceptional body butter that is gentle on skin but very effective. Ideal for soothing very dry, irritated or inflamed skin with the support of 500mg CBD.

MARA Algae face oil, from £60

This wonderful product contains cannabis seed oil (rather than CBD oil), so contains no cannabinoids. But it is truly exceptional for eliminating even the most stubborn of acne breakouts and is also a stand-out choice for anti-aging properties, partly thanks to the 1.2% retinol.

BNatural Face oil, £22.50, 100mg CBD

Rosehip oil and jojoba oil work wonders on evening out skin tone and fading scars, while 100mg of organic cannabis sativa extract takes the mix from great to amazing! Naturally scented with orange and geranium essential oil.

Grass Roots AHA Cleansing Wash, £28.99, 200mg CBD

This active wash is loaded with a mild but effective combination of acids (lactic, malic, citric and glycolic), natural fruit extracts, aloe vera and 200mg of balancing CBD, which removes makeup and daily build up with ease – without stripping.

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A new consumer trial is to study the potential of CBD as a treatment for hair loss.

The trial led by Britannia Life Sciences will explore whether a topical cream, made with CBD, can promote hair thickness and regrowth.

A subsidiary of Britannia Life Sciences, a global development platform for cosmetic and wellness products, is said to be finalising a formula for a topical cream that includes broad-spectrum, CBD-rich hemp oil, to be used in the study. 

The consumer trial will be managed by Advanced Development and Safety Laboratories’ (ADSL) existing beauty platform and will take place under the guidance of health professionals.

Participants are currently being recruited and will test the product over a six month period while providing weekly feedback.

The global hair loss treatment market experienced sales of over £2.5 billion in 2020.

Speaking with Cannabis Health, Peter Shippen, CEO at Britannia Life Sciences said: “We have been conducting research into the benefits of cannabinoids in the areas of health and wellness. Hair loss or growth is the first in our series of collecting evidence of the benefits of cannabinoid use.

Utilising a proprietary formulation that includes CBD, we hope to generate results that support our thesis that CBD promotes hair growth. Ultimately we believe that this study could lead to a commercial product that could disrupt the topical hair growth market. The results will be used to build support claims and inform future product development.”

Shippen added: “We are initially targeting 20 patients but could expand subject to demand. Participants should have a desire to increase hair growth and could include people with baldness or hair loss, but not Alopecia areata, and be willing to commit to a six-month trial.”

CBD for hair loss and regrowth

Previous studies on CBD for hair loss has shown that it may help with hair regrowth. Stress and anxiety can have an effect on hair loss and animal studies have shown positive effects for reducing anxiety.

A study from 2021 revealed that participants who applied CBD to their hair and scalp experienced regrowth after six months. However, the results were more prominent in men rather than women. An average of 4 mg of CBD was applied to the hair and it increased hair growth by 93.5 per cent.

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