CBD, CBG and Eczema: Simply Explained
Published: Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, March 2025 Researchers: Burczyk, Wcisło-Dziadecka et al. — Katowice, Poland
1. What Was Studied?
Atopic dermatitis — commonly known as eczema — is a chronic inflammatory skin condition causing persistent itching, redness, dryness, and sometimes painful cracking. Standard treatments like steroid creams can be effective but carry risks with long-term use, which has driven interest in plant-based alternatives.
This study tested a topical ointment containing 30% CBD and 5% CBG applied daily for eight weeks in nine patients diagnosed with atopic dermatitis. Skin parameters were measured at baseline, week four, and week eight using standardized dermatology scoring tools.
2. What Did They Find?
Daily application of the CBD/CBG ointment led to measurable improvements in skin hydration and a reduction in water loss through the skin — both markers of improved skin barrier function
Itching reduced meaningfully across the group
Standardized eczema severity scores (SCORAD and EASI) improved over the eight weeks
Some participants experienced full or partial remission of skin lesions
No adverse reactions were reported
3. What This Means
Eczema is genuinely difficult to manage long-term, and the skin has its own endocannabinoid receptors — making it a biologically logical target for topical cannabinoids. The combination of CBD and CBG here is notable: CBG has anti-inflammatory properties that may complement CBD's skin-calming effects.
The results — improved hydration, less itching, better barrier function, reduced severity scores — are the outcomes that actually matter to someone living with eczema day to day. And importantly, no adverse reactions means no reason to stop, which is often the limiting factor with conventional treatments.
The small sample size means these results need replication — but as a pilot study, the direction is promising.
4. What This Does NOT Mean
This was a very small study — nine participants — and had no placebo control group
Results cannot be generalized to all eczema patients or all cannabinoid topical products
The specific formulation (30% CBD + 5% CBG) is high-concentration and not equivalent to most consumer topical products
This does not apply to all skin conditions — the researchers specifically noted topical cannabinoids should not be used indiscriminately across dermatological conditions
Larger, randomized, controlled trials are needed to confirm these findings
5. Bottom Line
A 2025 pilot study found daily application of a CBD/CBG ointment reduced eczema severity, improved skin hydration, and decreased itching — promising early results, but from a small study without a control group.
