We’re not sure about you, but the long, hot summer left our skin looking seriously worse for wear. Long days in the sun and late nights with not a lot of sleep made our skin dry, dull, lacklustre, and in need of some serious glow. It’s safe to say that our stressed skin* is in need of some post-summer comfort. Unfortunately, this is easier said than it is done. Finding skincare products that nourish without clogging pores and boost luminosity and soothe discomfort without leaving a greasy film can be quite the challenge. Dealing with stressed skin* isn’t easy.
Well, that was until we tried the new CBD skincare collection from The Body Shop anyway. And trust us: This came as a surprise. As far as CBD in skincare goes, we have always been a little dubious. Beauty trends come and go quicker than we’re able to keep up with sometimes, and when CBD came on the scene a couple of years ago as the ingredient du jour, promising skincare miracles that seemed frankly too good to be true, we were anticipating a demise as quick as its rise.
It pains us to admit it, but we were wrong. Not only is CBD set to be one of the most game-changing skincare ingredients in history (remember when no one knew what hyaluronic acid was?), it’s also only set to get more and more popular. CBD isn’t going anywhere and now we can officially say we’re pleased about it.
First of all, let’s explain what CBD actually is. Otherwise known as cannabidiol, CBD is a naturally-occurring chemical compound found in cannabis plants, similarly to hemp. However, unlike hemp seed oil, which is cold-pressed from the seeds, CBD is extracted from the stalks, stems and seeds.
So what’s so great about CBD skincare, and why is this range so different from the rest? In essence, The Body Shop CBD skincare collection has incredible skin-soothing and nourishing properties, and it’s great for injecting some life into tired, stressed complexions*. The main issues with several ranges of CBD for us, however, is that finding a formula that’s not too thick, oily, or greasy can prove tricky. In fact, until now, we basically assumed that unless you favoured a super-rich, thick, and oily texture when it came to your skincare products, CBD wasn’t an option.
But how wrong we were. Combining CBD with the brand’s iconic hemp-seed oil and plant-derived squalene, The Body Shop’s new range, which comprises of a CBD Restoring Face Oil, CBD Replenishing Moisture Cream and CBD Soothing Oil-Balm Cleansing Mask, has challenged everything we thought we knew. Not only do the products help to soften, soothe, and comfort, these treasures also are seriously lightweight and sink into the skin without a trace of greasiness, unlike so many other formulas that are thick and cloying.
How is it done, you ask? Well, we think it probably has something to do with The Body Shop’s proven track record with hemp. While CBD and hemp are currently some of beauty’s most in-demand ingredients, The Body Shop has been utilising super-rich hemp-seed oils since the 1990s. Now, the brand’s hemp-based bodycare line is one of the most-adored ranges around. (The Hemp Hand Protector is a beauty-editor favourite.) Combining the nourishing effects of hemp-seed oil with CBD and squalene, means that The Body Shop has been able to create a CBD skincare range for the face unlike any other we have ever managed to get our hands on.
Sound like something you could get on board with? Whether you experience dryness, discomfort, or dullness, this do-it-all range could be all you need to get your stressed complexion* back on track. Keep scrolling to discover the three CBD products we just can’t get enough of.
The Body Shop CBD Collection is available now in store and online.
*We classify stressed skin as skin that experiences discomfort from dehydration and dryness, loss in luminosity, and decline in overall appearance.