The Best CBD Beauty Products You Can *Actually* Buy In Australia Right Now

Best hemp derived cbd beauty products
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CBD is one of the fastest-growing categories in the beauty and wellness industry. In fact, it’s projected to grow by 31.5 percent between 2023 and 2030, according to Grand View Research. Why? CBD (cannabidiol) has been found to be beneficial for pretty much everything. We’re talking inflammatory skin disorders like acne, eczema, and psoriasis, the management of chronic pain, and even sexual health.

The 2018 Farm Bill recognised hemp as distinct from other cannabis sativa strains. This made it legal for industrial, medicinal, and cosmetic use. Since then, there has been an explosion in production and demand for CBD beauty products.

In the US, retailers like Sephora and Ulta Beauty are dedicating entire sections of their e-commerce platforms to CBD skincare. Indie beauty beauty brands like Saint Jane and Lord Jones are taking off, and putting CBD in the spotlight.

In Australia, though, the FDA has not formally legalised CBD for use in cosmetics. It’s safe to say attitudes to CBD in America — where over 30 states have legalised cannabis — are markedly different to those in Australia.

Let’s clarify. In Australia, CBD oil is technically legal, but it’s complicated. CBD is classified as a Schedule 4 drug. This means medicinal CBD, used for the treatment of physical and psychological conditions, requires a doctor’s prescription. With growing interest in CBD, the Australian Therapeutic Good Administration seems to be reviewing its approach to the ingredient.

In December 2020, the TGA announced the “down scheduling” of some CBD products containing low-dose cannabidiol to “Schedule 3”. Theoretically, this makes them legal for over-the-counter purchase. The one issue? As noted by Australian Access Clinics, no products that meet the TGA requirements for Schedule 3 actually exist. But that doesn’t mean you won’t find CBD in your beauty products yet.

Hemp-Derived CBD Beauty Products in Australia

Beauty products with hemp-derived CBD are accessible on Australian shores, which can cause confusion.

There are two strains of cannabis sativa being referred to when we talk about CBD: one is hemp and the other is cannabis. Both are technically cannabis sativa, but they contain different levels of CBD and THC. Furthermore, both strains are subject to very different legal restrictions, depending on where you are in the world.

The hemp strain commonly referred to as “industrial hemp” has higher levels of CBD and lower levels of THC. In Australia, only CBD that is naturally occurring in hemp oil is permitted in cosmetics, which is an amount lower than 0.0005%. This is in stark contrast to the United States. There, the only requirement for cannabis sativa derivatives is that they contain less than 0.3 percent THC.

So, CBD derived from cannabis is still a no-go for brands. On the other hand, hemp-derived CBD beauty and skincare products are available.

When it comes to skincare, hemp-derived CBD beauty still has plenty of benefits. Hemp seed oil is packed with omega-3 and 6 fatty acids, is a potent antioxidant and is anti-inflammatory. All of this is good news for your skin.

While we wait for other forms of CBD to become available in Australia, there are plenty of good-for-your-skin, hemp-derived CBD beauty products hitting shelves. There’s also cannabis sativa-rich skincare products (which have been available for some time!).

We’ve rounded up the best.

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