Even as we begin a new decade, one of the hottest topics of the beauty industry continues to be CBD. Cosmetics manufacturers and other beauty and wellness industry innovators are finding new ways of applying this ingredient. It is featured in a diverse array of topical products and services, including massage creams, skincare products, nail treatments, hydrotherapy options and much more according to DaySpa Magazine.
The popularity of CBD products even led to the creation of National CBD Month, celebrated for the first time this January. Now on the heels of this celebration, it is as good a time as any to review how this product is evolving in a fast-changing marketplace and regulatory environment.
In the next decade, cannabis-infused beauty products are expected to be responsible for 15 percent of the $167 billion skincare market, equivalent to $25 billion, according to Business Insider. DaySpa reports nearly one in five spas offered CBD treatments or products as of 2018 and 56 percent planned to do so in 2019 and 2020. It’s a rapidly growing sector of the market that can be a game-changer for salons and spas across the country looking to expand their business.
There are a number of factors responsible for the recent rise of CBD in the beauty industry. Beauty and skincare consumers believe CBD helps with certain conditions and concerns, including:
- Acne: According to Healthline, CBD may inhibit oil production in oil producing glands, which, in theory, would slow the buildup of excess oil within the skin and thus combat acne. The research is still ongoing to determine its true impact on acne.
- Anti-aging: Some believe that CBD has anti-inflammatory strengths that are useful for fighting wrinkles and skin dullness. Additionally, some manufacturers say CBD is a strong antioxidant, which some believe can reduce free-radical damage on the skin.
- Dry skin: CBD oil can reduce moisture loss by improving the retention of moisture within the skin, in addition to protecting the cell membranes within the skin from damage.
People use CBD products to serve a number of purposes; some believe it combats anxiety, insomnia, eczema and more. These myriad claims make it sound like a miracle elixir — but is it safe and legal for salons and spas to incorporate them into their regular routines?
As of February 2020, the U.S. Farm Bill allows for the manufacturing and selling of beauty products with less than 0.3 percent THC. CBD can come from multiple sources, most notably marijuana and hemp plants. Today, it’s illegal to use purified CBD based from marijuana but it is legal to use hemp-based products. Any beauty professional or esthetician looking to incorporate CBD should ensure they are using the hemp-based version.
Salon and spa managers should also take the time to carefully examine products before adding them to their regimen. For example, a chain of 27 pain clinics across New Jersey and Pennsylvania was shut down by the FDA because they claimed their products could cure cervical cancer, depression and Crohn’s disease, with no evidence proving so. Salons and spas will want to confirm the products they utilize do not make any unsubstantiated claims. To that end they will want to be completely upfront with customers about the known, proven benefits and effects of CBD products — as well as what alleged benefits are unproven. No matter how you choose to approach the topic, now seems to be the time to step back and understand the potential impact of CBD on your business.
Kathy Lopez, Account Manager for SASSI, the Salon and Spa Specialty Insurance program at Brownyard Group. She can be reached at klopez@brownyard.com.
