Retinol and CBD: The Dynamic Duo You Never New You Needed

While CBD and retinol may seem like an odd pairing at first, if you think about it for a moment, there are many reasons they play nicely together. The dynamic duo’s symbiotic relationship is soon to become a hot topic as brands venture into creating products with the two ingredients as headliners, with research to back them up.

The importance of retinol is not lost on us as it’s been touted as one of the best anti-aging products out there, but it’s also no secret that it can be harsh on the skin. That’s where CBD comes in. “Retinol is very important for anti-aging, but it can be irritating and drying to the skin. The combination of retinol with CBD cream or oil may help reduce irritation and dryness,” says Fresno, CA dermatologist Kathleen Behr, MD. “CBD is a botanical with innate anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory powers,” says Davie, FL dermatologist Marianna Blyumin-Karasik, MD. “These ingredients, therefore, work synergistically to enhance skin vitality.”

CEO and founder of Saint Jane, Casey Georgeson, says the two ingredients work “in concert to transform the skin, gently but effectively.” Many are hesitant to embark on a retinol regimen because they’re concerned about the side effects, especially if they have sensitive skin. However, the CBD helps to “alleviate retinol sensitivity,” she says.

A January 2022 study looked into this and sought to identify how a retinol and CBD combination topical could enhance facial skin. “CBD acts to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, mitigating irritation from retinol and further improving the skin’s appearance through independent anti-aging mechanisms,” states the study. Researchers found that the combo is effective at improving skin quality by minimizing pores, hydrating, smoothing texture and combating static and dynamic wrinkles.

A few brands have created products that synthesize these two powerhouses, but a combo elixir is not readily available. Paula’s Choice has a CBD + Retinol Oil ($54), but it’s not available in the U.S. and Aforé Beauty by Dr. Few has CR Emulsion ($299). Saint Jane has also created a product that’s available in the states and reasonably priced.

Saint Jane Sacred Sleep Overnight Repair ($70) is a deeply hydrating night cream that features a gentle dose of retinol, nourishing CBD/CBG and the brand’s signature bouquet of Luxury Active florals. “The .5% Retinol in Sacred Sleep resurfaces the top dermal layer while delivering potent anti-aging benefits deep into the skin,” says Georgeson. To abate common retinol side effects, Saint Jane blended 1000mg of its proprietary CBD/CBG. “Both CBD and CBG are renowned for their calming benefits to balance the irritation that can surface when using Retinol.” The ingredients work together to provide anti-aging results with minimal redness, drying or peeling, says Georgeson.

It's Personal

At NewBeauty, we get the most trusted information from the beauty authority delivered right to your inbox

hbspt.forms.create({ portalId: "8806970", formId: "a8aef9b2-6178-4dad-9e2a-98b7661febc2" }); Find a Doctor

Find a NewBeauty "Top Beauty Doctor" Near you

Select a state State AL AR AZ CA CO CT DC FL GA HI IA IL IN KY LA MA MD MI MN MO NC NE NJ NV NY OH OR PA SC TN TX UT VA WA WI Select a state Specialty Cosmetic Dentist Dermatologist Facial Plastic Surgeon Hair Restoration Specialist Oculoplastic Surgeon Periodontist Plastic Surgeon Prosthodontist Vein Specialist Select a state Treatment Abdominal thread lifts Accent your Body Acne Treatments Alexandrite Laser Arm Lift Asclera Bellafill Belotero Blue Light Body Body Lift Botox Botox Browlift Brachioplasty Brazilian Butt Lift Breast Augmentation Breast Augmentation with Fat Grafting Breast Implants Breast Implants with Saline Breast Implants with Silicone Breast Lift Breast Lift with Implants Breast Reconstruction Breast Reduction Browlift Butt Enhancement Carboxytherapy Cellulite Treatment Cheek Augmentation Cheek Augmentation with Fat Grafting Cheek Implants Cheek Lift Chemical Peels Chin Augmentation CO2 lasers Cool Lipo CoolSculpting CoolTone Crowns Dental Bonding Dental Implants Dimpleplasty Diode Laser Dysport embrace Active Scar Defense Emsculpt Endermologie Endoscopic Browlift Endoscopic Facelift Endoscopic Tummy Tuck Erbium Lasers Exilis Ultra 360 Eyelift Eyelift with Fat Grafting Face Facelift Facelift with Fat Grafting FaceTite Fat Melters and Fat Reducers Fat Transfer Forma Fractional CO2 lasers Fractional Resurfacing Lasers Fractora Glycolic Peels Glytone Enhanced Brightening Cream Gum Dermabrasion Gum Lift Hair Hair Removal Hair Transplant Hair-Loss Treatment Injectables & Fillers for Cheek Augmentation Injectables & Fillers for Eyelift Injectables & Fillers for Lip Enhancement Injectables And Fillers Injectables and Fillers with Fat Grafting Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Invisalign Isolaz Juvéderm Juvéderm Volbella Juvéderm Voluma Kybella Lactic Acid Peels Laser Liposuction Lasers Lateral Tension Tummy Tuck Limited Incision Facelift Lip Enhancement Lip Enhancement with Fat Grafting Lip Implant Lip Lift Liposculpture Liposuction Liquid Facelift Long Pulsed N: Yag laser Lower Blepharoplasty Lower Body Lift Lower eyelid surgery Lower Facelift MACS Lift Mandelic Peels Microdermabrasion Microinjection Microneedling Microwave Laser Treatment Mini Tummy Tuck Mini-Facelift Mommy Makeover Nd: Yag Neck Liposuction Necklift Nonsurgical Facelift Nonsurgical Rhinoplasty Obagi Blue Peel Otoplasty Perlane Phenol Peels Photobiomodulation Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) Photofacial PiQo4 Plasma Resurfacing Lasers Power Assisted Liposuction Prevelle Pulsed Dye Radiesse Radio Frequency with Microneedling Radio Frequency-Assisted Lipolysis Red Light Restylane Restylane Defyne Restylane Lyft Restylane Refyne Restylane Silk Revision Rhinoplasty Rhinoplasty Salicylic Peels SculpSure Sculptra Aesthetic Selphyl Silhouette Instalift Skin Skin Tighteners Skin Treatments Slim Lipo Smart Lipo SMAS facelift Smile Smile Makeover Smoothshapes Straightening Stretch Mark Treatments TCA Chemical Peels Teeth Whitening Thermage ThermiTight Thigh Lift Titan Tooth Contouring Traditional Facelift Tumescent Liposuction Tummy Tuck Ulthera Ultherapy Ultrasound Assisted Liposuction Umbilicoplasty Upper Blepharoplasty Upper eyelid surgery Vanquish ME VASER Lipo Vein Treatments Velashape Velasmooth Veneers Xeomin Search