Are CBD Beauty Products Worth the Hype?

May 27, 2020 | AA, Asia, BEAUTY, BIZ, China, Korea, STYLE

Japan's 1st CBD Shop Cafe, Tokyo ©
by MJ Toledo

Japan’s 1st CBD Shop Cafe, Tokyo ©HealthyToko

If you love beauty products, chances are, you’ve probably heard a thing or two about CBD-based face serums, oils and cosmetics.  But what does it do for you? 

Thanks to its wide array of benefits, CBD has become the most popular ingredient in skincare and cosmetics today. When stunning celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow swear by it, it’s hard not to see why people are raving about it. While these products have been in the “Green Rush” in North America and Canada, number of Asian companies are closely behind to bank on this incredible ingredient.  

With the insane amount of new ingredients popping up left and right in the beauty industry, it’s normal for newcomer ingredients to be met with skepticism. Where’s the proof? What about the studies? While the results remain anecdotal at this point, but we will see scientific journals catching up to the markets as more observers turn into consumers in the future.

Japan’s 1st CBD Shop Cafe, Shibuya, Tokyo ©HealthyTokyo

What Does CBD Do?

Cannabidiol or CBD has had its fair share of controversy in the beauty industry. But before we proceed, let’s get one thing straight first. No, it won’t get you high. 

The effectiveness of CBD in helping skin conditions is no secret. But if you ask those who are uninformed, they may just tell you that CBD is supposed to turn your skin as flawless as a slab of marble. While this may not be true, CBD on cosmetics focuses on soothing inflammatory skin diseases such as dermatitis and psoriasis. It also aids to regulate oil production in your skin and allegedly helps you permanently say goodbye to acne. 

Because of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in CBD, irritation and free-radical damage can be noticeably reduced. So whether you are facing dryness, breakouts, or irritation, CBD may be your magic wand.

Asian CBD Cosmetics

Today, China is the largest producer of industrial hemp in the world. These are varieties of the cannabis plant that have less than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, which is the psychoactive compound in marijuana. So without question, sourcing CBD won’t be a problem for Asian cosmetic companies that want to cash in on its benefits. 

While the rest of Asia still has a long way to go when it comes to CBD beauty movements, there’s no question that k-beauty and j-beauty are leading the pack and setting to inspire more countries to embrace this amazing trend. 

Korea is the first-ever country in East Asia that legalized medical marijuana. This is why it’s no wonder the powerhouse nation is riding on the success of CBD in the US. While entrepreneurs are planning to put CBD in food and vapes, it’s the K-beauty industry that shows the biggest potential.

Leading the pack are some Asian-American entrepreneurs like Janice Buu who has been keeping her eye on this lucrative trend in 2015. Of Chinese and Korean heritage, the entrepreneur is developing Kana Skincare, a cruelty-free, vegan, and CBD K-beauty brand made in the US. In the past year, its worldwide sales have skyrocketed.  
 
View this post on Instagram
 

A post shared by Kana Skincare (@kana_bbeauty) on

Another Korean-American beauty entrepreneur, Jenelle Kim, has also founded JBK Wellness Labs that specialized in CBD-infused products. She also runs Cannabis Beauty Defined Skincare, a K-beauty line based in the US. 

Additionally, Pura Earth made by bio-pharmaceutical company Avicanna is set to expand its market in Japan. They’ve even garnered attention during the CosmeTokyo trade show. The derma cosmetic line sourced in Colombia sees the huge potential in the Japanese market because of its history and leadership around beauty and cosmetics.

The Future of CBD Cosmetics

You can eat it, you can lather it on your skin, or even smoke it. The uses of CBD are truly endless. But perhaps the largest challenge faced by CBD products in Asia is the lack of education about it. Before it takes off, it is crucial to break down those barriers through research and testimonies. 

Despite the current misinformation on CBD products, it has become an unstoppable force. Soon, it is expected to account for 15 percent of the $167 billion global skincare market. Let us know what you think.