Potential of CBD on oily skin & scalp

Our latest launch, CBD Oil Balance, available in South Africa from Materia Medica, provides an update on the advances in CBD research to date and confirms the therapeutic potential of CBD for oily skin and scalp. CBD Oil Balance consists of a nanostructured lipid-based carrier enriched by hemp seed oil (HSO) and encapsulated isolated, organic CDB (THC<0.0001%)(see Figure 1).

Olah et al. have already suggested that CBD has enormous potential in the treatment of oily skin; previously published in vitro studies have demonstrated that CBD normalises the elevated lipogenesis induced by pro-acne agents, suppresses sebocytes proliferation without affecting their viability, and prevents the inflammation associated with pro-acne agents. 1, 2 & 3

CBD is a highly lipophilic molecule that impairs its use in oil-free formulations for oily skin and scalp. With Infinitec’snanostructured lipidic capsules, we close this gap, opening the floodgates for a powerful oil-soluble active in oil-free formulations for the treatment of oily skin and scalp. CBD Oil Balance unlocks the ultimate potential of CBD, improving CBD’s stability against premature degradation, enhancing its skin penetration and bioavailability, as well as boosting its therapeutic activity on oily skin and scalp working in the synergy with HSO.

Figure 1: Schematic representation of CBD OIL Balance

Clinically proven through two in vivo studies, CBD Oil Balance is effective in the treatment of oily skin thanks to its excellent sebum-regulating capacity (reducing sebum secretion by 33% in 14 days); by decreasing the number, area and size of sebaceous glands by 47%; decreasing anti-acne activity by 37% measured in the presence of porphyrins in skin; and by lessening skin erythema and its noticeable microbiota-balancing therapeutic effect on oily skin. In 28 days, CBD Oil Balance also effectively reduces sebum by 28%, with the best responder showing an 84% reduction, and scalp inflammation by 40%.

ENHANCED STABILITY AND SKIN/SCALP PENETRATION

The stability of CBD in CBD Oil Balance (0.1% CBD) has been studied using an HPLC and compared to that of CBD in oil (0.1% CBD in Waglinol). We also studied the skin penetration of free CBD versus CBD Oil Balance, following the OECD 428.

CBD shows better stability when encapsulated in CBD Oil Balance as well as enhanced skin penetration (see Figure 2 A and B). Enhanced penetration is fundamental to ensure CBD Oil Balance reaches the sebaceous glands and exerts its action in both the skin and scalp.

IN VITRO EFFICACY ASSESSMENT

The ability of CBD Oil Balance to inhibit excessive sebum production was demonstrated by oil-red assay. For this study, we used arachnoids acid as a lipogenesis enhancer and untreated sebocytes as the control, as well as sebocytes treated with arachnoids acid (20μm) and free CBD (1.5μm) and sebocytes treated with arachnoids acid (20μm) and CBD Oil Balance at 0.05% (CBD = 1.5μm). Oil-red was used to stain the lipids.

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B} Figure 2: CBD stability at RT by HPLC (A); CBD penetration kinetic profile in skin (B)

As we can see from the images, when sebocytes are treated with free CBD or CBD Oil Balance, lipogenesis induced by arachnoids acid is inhibited. A semi-quantitative analysis was also performed, showing CBD Oil Balance reduced the induced lipogenesis by 22% –twice as much compared to the ability of free CBD at the same concentration.

We have demonstrated that CBD Oil Balance further reduces sebum production by inhibiting mature sebocyte proliferation, without affecting their viability (data not shown for brevity).

The anti-inflammatory activity of CBD Oil Balance was assessed in vitro. Human dermal sebocytes were incubated with an inflammation-inducer (LPS) while the expression of TNF-alfa was studied as a specific marker for inflammation. 0.03%CBD Oil Balance (CBD 1μm) efficacy was compared to that of free CBD (1μm). The results are shown in Figure 4. CBD oil Balance reduced inflammation up to3.6 times more than free CBD. We can attribute this to the synergy between CBD and HSO, which is an omega-3 and-6 rich oil.

Finally, we assessed CBD Oil Balance’s ability to regulate skin microbiota. In particular, we studied CBD’sability to regulate the growth of two resident micro-organisms on skin –S. epidermidis and C. acnes. These microorganisms colonise on skin and compete against each other. In a healthy skin,S. epidermidis regulates the growth ofC. acnes. Conversely, in oily skin,S. epidermidis cannot control the over-growth of C. acnes. CBD shows the capability to reduce the growth of C. acnes, without affecting the growth of S. epidermidis, re-establishing a balance between the two species. This last result supports the hypothesis that CBD has a microbiota-balancing therapeutic effect.

Figure 3: Oil-Red Assay (A) non-treated sebocytes; (B) sebocytes treated with 20μm arachnoid acid and 1.5μm free CBD; (C) sebocytes treated with 20μm arachnoid acid and 0.05% of CBD Oil Balance (CBD 1.5μm)

Figure 4: Anti-inflammatory activity of CBD Oil Balance versus free CBD measured by the expression of the TNF-alpha marker

SKIN CARE IN VIVO EFFICACY ASSESSMENT

To study the efficacy of CBD Oil Balance, a panel of 14 male and female volunteers aged between 18 and 35 years and with oily skin applied a water-based serum formulated with2% CBD Oil Balance twice a day for four weeks. Measurements were taken at 0, 14 and 28 days. The following parameters were analysed:

• quantity of sebum on the skin surface (lipidindex by Sebumeter)

• number, size and area of sebaceous glandules (Sebufix)

• anti-acne efficacy (C. acnes activity expressed as porphyrins, Visiopor)

• anti-inflammation activity and desquamation (dermatological evaluation).

CBD Oil Balance showed excellent sebum regulating capacity, reducing sebum secretion by 33% in 14 days, with a 77% reduction noted for the best responder. It reduced the number, area and size of the sebaceous glands by47% with the best responder showing a 90%reduction. A 37% reduction measured in the presence of porphyrins in skin confirmed the outstanding anti-acne activity of CBD OilBalance and its ability to reduce skin erythema. Figure 5 shows pictures of volunteer #9 after0, 14, and 28 days of treatment with CBD OilBalance. A reduction in both the inflammation(nose and cheeks) and skin imperfections is evident, as well as a general improvement in skin radiance and texture.

SCALP CARE IN VIVO EFFICACY ASSESSMENT

A panel of 20 volunteers (mixed gender, ranging in age from 18 to 60 years) tested the efficacy of CBD Oil Balance on the scalp by applying a leave-on, water-based lotion formulated with 2% of the active ingredient. The volunteers applied the lotion every night for four weeks before going to sleep. Measurements were taken at 0, 14, and 28 days.

The following parameters were analysed:

• quantity of sebum on the scalp surface(lipid index by Sebumeter)

• number, size and area of sebaceous glandules (Sebufix)

• anti-dandruff activity (observation with micro-camera and dermatological evaluation)

• anti-inflammation activity (observation with micro-camera and dermatological evaluation).

Similar to the results obtained in the skin care assessment, in 28 days CBD OilBalance reduced sebum, dandruff and inflammation on the scalp by 28% and 40% respectively. Figure 6 shows pictures of volunteer #14 at 0, 14, and 28 days, and the reduction of sebum and dandruff is noticeable.

Figure 5: Anti-acne treatment, clinical observation. Front view photographs of volunteer #9

Figure 6: Micro-camera observation of the scalp of volunteer #14 at 0, 14 and 28 days

Figure 7 shows pictures of volunteer #12 at 0, 14, and 28 days, with a significant reduction in inflammation as a result of a the treatment.

Figure 7: Micro-camera observation of the scalp of volunteer #12 at 0, 14 and 28 days

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment of the skin with cannabidiol not only presented a lack of clinical efficacy data but also some challenges when formulating with the ingredient. With CBD Oil Balance, the possibilities of treating disorders derived from excess sebum are explored from a comprehensive perspective of both skin and hair. Incorporating cannabidiol into a delivery system not only improved its stability and performance, but also made it easy to incorporate into an aqueous formulation, which is more suitable for oily skin.

CBD Oil Balance demonstrated the efficacy of cannabidiol (in synergy with HSO) as a sebum regulator and anti-inflammatory agent, with positive effects to help achieve normal, healthier skin. Further studies are on-going with regard to this in order to assess and support the activity of CBD Oil Balance on skin microbiota. •

REFERENCES:

1. Ohla et al., J Clin Invest. 2014;124(9):3713–37242. Ohla et al., J Clin Invest. 2014;124(9):3713–37243. Ohla et al., J Clin Invest. 2014;124(9):3713–3724

Infinitec – infinitec.es Materia Medica – www.materiamedica.co.za