Is CBG the Next CBD for Skincare?

Willow's FutureGrown CBG clinically reduced skin inflammation, the appearance of redness, and improved barrier function.

Cannabigerol (CBG) shows antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and skin health-boosting activity in lab assays and provides similar benefits when applied topically to human skin, according to new research.

In a single-blind clinical study in 20 healthy male and female volunteers, Willow's FutureGrown CBG clinically reduced skin inflammation, the appearance of redness, and improved barrier function. The results of the study appear in Molecules.

CBG is touted as the ‘mother of all cannabinoids’ because it is the plant precursor to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). 

"Willow's FutureGrown CBG continues to exhibit great promise as an exciting new skincare ingredient," says Trevor Peters, Willow's President and Chief Executive Officer, in a news release. 

The study reports that biosynthetically produced CBG possesses a broad range of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and skin protecting properties to help slow inflammation, aging, and boost skin barrier function. Gene array analysis of CBG and cannabidiol applied topically to a 3D human skin model demonstrates that CBG outperforms CBD, selectively targeting collagen, elastin and other key skin health and hydration genes. 

Moreover, in vitro studies in normal human epidermal keratinocytes and human dermal fibroblasts show that CBG and CBD both possess strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, with CBG demonstrating equal if not better activity than CBD. Lastly, the study is the first to report the clinical effectiveness of topically applied CBG, demonstrating that a 0.1% CBG serum reduces inflammation, redness, and improves the skin barrier significantly better than a placebo.