Could a simple daily cream with CBD calm eczema flare-ups, reduce itching, and give skin a break from steroids? Results say yes.
If you’ve lived with eczema (also called atopic dermatitis), you know it’s not just a patch of dry, itchy skin. Flare-ups can leave you restless at night, scratching until your skin feels raw. They can also affect your confidence, whether it’s irritation on your hands, arms, or face. The cycle of redness, flaking, and discomfort often turns skincare into a daily battle.
Current treatments like steroid creams, immunosuppressants, or medicated moisturizers can work well, but they’re not perfect. Some people worry about long-term side effects, while others find these options too harsh for everyday use.
That’s why there’s so much interest in gentler alternatives and CBD (cannabidiol) has been one of the hottest topics in that search.
How the CBD Cream Was Tried Out
To find out whether CBD could make a difference for eczema, researchers put a 2% CBD cream to the test.
Here’s how they set it up:
- 19 adults with moderate to severe eczema.
- A topical cream containing 2% cannabidiol.
- Applied daily for four weeks, with follow-ups extending to week 8.
- Redness, scaling, itching, hydration, comfort levels, and overall satisfaction.
This was designed to look beyond short-term comfort and see whether CBD could genuinely improve how people felt and how their skin looked.
The Changes People Noticed
Week by week, participants began noticing improvements.
- Skin felt calmer: Many reported less itching, less burning, and better hydration.
- Lesions looked better: Redness, scaling, and irritation visibly reduced over time.
- Relief continued: Even after the main treatment period, improvements lingered, suggesting CBD’s benefits weren’t just surface-deep or temporary.
- No major side effects. The cream was well tolerated, with no serious safety concerns reported.
Most participants experienced noticeable improvement in their eczema symptoms after applying the 2% CBD cream every day.
Why This Matters for Anyone With Eczema
For years, the conversation around eczema has focused on stronger medications and heavy-duty creams. While these treatments are important, this trial adds a fresh angle: CBD could offer relief as a gentler, everyday companion to traditional care.
Here’s why that matters:
- It gives people another option, something you can use daily without worrying about long-term steroid use.
- It suggests CBD isn’t just hype; it showed measurable improvements in moderate to severe eczema.
- Benefits lasted beyond the treatment window, hinting at long-term support.
- It opens the door for CBD to be considered part of a holistic eczema management plan, not just a trend.
Bringing CBD Into Your Skincare Routine
If you’re curious about trying CBD for eczema, here’s how to think about it:
- Stay realistic: CBD won’t cure eczema, but it may ease flare-ups and help skin feel calmer and less reactive.
- Be consistent: The participants applied it daily for weeks, and that regular use seemed important for results.
- Pair it wisely: Keep following your dermatologist’s advice, use CBD as an add-on, not a replacement.
- Patch test first: Even gentle products can irritate sensitive skin. Always start small.
- Give it time: Some relief may come quickly, but bigger changes in skin appearance and comfort often take weeks.
Think of CBD cream as one more tool in your skincare toolbox, especially if you’re looking for something that feels lighter and more natural than heavy-duty prescriptions.
Original Study Section
Title: Improvement in Atopic Dermatitis Using a Novel Topical 2% Cannabidiol (CBD) Application
Date: March 2025
Authors: Sarah Hakim, Sanjeev Goel, John Papastergiou, David J. Goldberg
Link: Read via Wiley Online Library