CBD oil is cropping up everywhere, from morning lattes to relaxing bath bombs.
While the jury is still out on whether CBD oil is really needed in clothing, pillows or toilet paper (yes, really), some exciting new products could prove beneficial.
We’ve only really seen the tip of the iceberg for what CBD and other cannabinoids can do, so the CBD community eagerly awaits more research and product development in this area.
CBD for beauty is a booming industry – with CBD for nails, CBD manicures and pedicures and CBD nail polish rocketing in popularity.
But is this the result of research and testing or just an attempt to capitalise on a growing trend?
Let’s explore some of the science behind these products so you can decide whether CBD for nails is worth exploring:
- Is hemp oil good for nails?
- Does CBD oil help nails grow?
- Should you buy CBD nail products?
In this guide:
Is CBD oil good for nails?
“CBD is good for everything, right? So will CBD oil be good for my nails?”
Let’s start with skin. Our skin does have cannabinoid receptors, so it makes sense that CBD oil applied directly to the skin, scalp, or hands would offer some benefit – hence topical CBD balms.
CBD oil is also rich in fatty and amino acids, which can be beneficial to nails.
So it seems that CBD could be a welcome addition to your beauty routine.
For those with inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis which can affect the hands, CBD could also offer some promise – for more info, check out our articles on CBD for psoriasis and CBD for eczema.
One study explored the therapeutic potential of CBD for skin health and disorders.
This study points to the existence of cannabinoid receptors in the skin and how these could be involved in skin homeostasis and barrier function. If you’re looking to improve overall hand health – nails included – using CBD is looking to be a good option, so far.
Does CBD strengthen nails?
“Does CBD strengthen nails? Will hemp oil hemp my weak nails?”
At the moment, there are no studies to suggest that CBD can help to strengthen nails or prevent breakage. But this hasn’t stopped companies from creating CBD nail polish or CBD infused nail products.
The entourage of extra ingredients in CBD oil may be the real source of benefit for nail care.
Moisturing the cuticles is one way to help protect nails. For those with skin conditions like eczema on their hands and cuticles, this could also help to protect the moisture barrier and avoid dryness from frequent hand washing.
Some salons are now offering CBD manicure and pedicure treatments, although there is little evidence as yet that this treatment is more beneficial than a basic manicure and pedicure.
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Does CBD help nails grow?
Again, there’s sadly no definitive evidence that CBD oil helps nails grow.
However, CBD can help to reduce inflammation, which may help promote nail growth and also soften cuticles. This can help your nails stretch out more quickly, and with more ease.
Could CBD damage my nails?
CBD is unlikely to damage your nails, but there is always the risk you could be sensitive to ingredients. It’s important to be aware of this before applying any CBD products to your skin.
Pay close attention to how you feel and stop using it if you think you might be sensitive.
Even all-natural ingredients can cause allergic reactions. For example, lavender essential oil commonly causes a reaction.
And the reaction might not happen immediately. You could have a reaction called a delayed-type hypersensitivity. This means you won’t have an immediate allergic reaction, but it could develop after a few days after you have been using the product more often.
As a result, many people assume the allergy is caused by something else.
Since linalool is often present in CBD oil, and this is the fragrance terpene that causes the allergic reaction to lavender essential oil, it’s worth being mindful of how you use CBD oil and how your body reacts.
If you are using high-quality, cold-pressed hemp seed oil instead of CBD oil for your nails, there is a lower risk of an allergic reaction, but you should still be aware of how your body reacts.
Read more: What are terpenes?
How to use CBD oil for nails?
“But how do I use CBD oil for nails? Should I buy special CBD nail products?”
If you’re keen to incorporate CBD into your nail routine, it’s entirely your choice whether to try a nail-specific product that contains CBD.
If you’re a CBD purist, there’s no harm in trying a topical CBD product on your hands and nails and monitoring the results.
As with adding any type of CBD into your routine, we’d recommend starting a daily morning ritual and incorporating CBD for nails into this, to help create a habit.
The morning is also the perfect time for nail treatments – they’ve gone an entire night without crucial moisture, so your balm or oil will soak in best – and hopefully provide a relaxing start to each day. Win win!
Frequently asked questions:
Can you use CBD oil on cuticles?
Yes! Massaging a small amount of CBD oil onto your nails and cuticles may help to prevent dryness and cracking.
What is a CBD manicure?
A CBD manicure is a nail treatment where CBD infused products are used on your hands and nails.
What is a CBD pedicure?
A CBD pedicure is a nail treatment where CBD infused products are used on your feet and toenails.
The verdict on CBD for nails
We’re CBD’s biggest fans at Evopure, but unfortunately as yet, we can’t make any bold claims around the superiority of the CBD manicure or CBD pedicure as opposed to treatments without CBD.
What we can say, though, is it all sounds quite nice… Right!
The amount of people integrating CBD topicals or hemp oil into skincare routines is certainly on the rise, and there’s no reason why our hands and nails shouldn’t benefit from this extra pampering, too.
