Gen Z, Skin Care and CBD: What the Research Says

Step-by-step routines on social media, a new "it ingredient" every week and eye-catching packaging... Gen Z, roughly the young people born between 1997 and 2012, is more interested in skin care than ever, and CBD is one of these ingredients. In this article, we explain why young people are turning to CBD products, what young skin really needs and what research says about CBD today.

Why are young people turning to CBD products?

In a survey of 2,464 young adults, most in their 20s, in six large US cities, about half of participants said they had tried CBD at least once, and a third said they had used it in the past six months. Participants generally considered CBD safe and effective for pain, anxiety and sleep; edibles and products applied to the skin were the most common ways of using it. However, about a quarter mistakenly believed that CBD products needed approval from the US drug agency (FDA) or had to be proven safe and effective before they could be sold (Wysota 2023).

Social media also plays a big role in young people’s skin care habits. In a study of 100 TikTok videos showing the skin care routines of creators aged 7–18, the videos had been viewed 1.1 million times on average; routines included 6 products on average and cost 168 dollars on average. Only a quarter of the videos included sunscreen; the 25 most-viewed videos used an average of 11 active ingredients that could irritate the skin (Hales 2025). This study is not specific to CBD, but it shows how young people’s skin care habits are shaped. We could not find a peer-reviewed study showing CBD to be "Gen Z’s most popular ingredient."

What does young skin need?

The most common skin problem at a young age is acne; it is common in children aged 9 and older, teenagers and adults. For acne, there are treatments with well-known effects, such as benzoyl peroxide, topical retinoids and antibiotics (Reynolds 2024). Sun protection is also an important habit that can be started young: a well-designed study showed that regular sunscreen use slows skin aging (Hughes 2013). The authors of the TikTok study above stress that crowded routines offer little benefit to children and teenagers, while carrying a risk of irritation, allergy and sun sensitivity (Hales 2025).

What does the research say?

Acne

In the lab, CBD reduced oil production and inflammation in oil gland cells. However, in a study in which 368 people with moderate to severe acne were randomly assigned to groups, the number of inflamed pimples fell by a similar amount in those who used a 2.5% or 5% CBD solution for 12 weeks and in those who used the same solution without CBD (NCT03573518). For details, see our article on acne and CBD.

Sensitive and dry skin

An analysis pooling 17 studies of cannabis and cannabinoid products in skin conditions found a small reduction in itching; for dryness and redness, there was no clear difference between people who used the products and those who didn’t (Sermsaksasithorn 2025). We could not find a study in which CBD products marketed for sensitive skin were tested for this purpose. A review in the field of cosmetics also notes that there are very few clinical studies in humans (Kuzumi 2024).

Products containing THC

We could not find a human study of skin products containing THC (the intoxicating compound in cannabis). This matters for young people for another reason: in a study testing five CBD products applied to the skin, urine tests were not positive, but in 9 people, THC was measured in saliva at a level considered positive in US workplace tests (Zamarripa 2024). For young people who play sports or may be tested, details are on the athletes and drug testing pages.

Possible side effects and drug interactions

CBD products applied to the skin were generally well tolerated in studies. But every new product added to a routine means new ingredients: fragrances, preservatives and plant extracts can cause irritation or allergy, and routines with many active ingredients carry this risk too (Hales 2025). Labels aren’t always reliable either: in the US, of 71 products stating a CBD amount, the label was accurate for only 9, and 10 products contained no CBD at all (Dowd 2025). For details, see CBD oil and skin: side effects ; interactions between CBD taken by mouth and medicines are on the drug interactions page.

How has it been used in studies?

There is no study looking at CBD use for skin care in young people. In the acne study, solutions containing 2.5% and 5% CBD were used once or twice a day for 12 weeks (a study dose; not a personal recommendation), and no clear difference from the solution without CBD was seen (NCT03573518).

If you are considering CBD

If your acne lasts a long time, hurts or leaves scars, it’s a good idea to see a dermatologist; there are treatments with known effects for acne. In two young patients who followed social media routines and put off treatment, acne was reported to have progressed and needed more intensive treatment (Rivetti 2025). You can talk with your dermatologist or pharmacist about:

• A skin care routine with a small number of products that suits your skin type.
• Which of the products you use shouldn’t be used together.
• The ingredient list of a CBD product and whether the label states the total amount of CBD.

If you are under 18, it’s a good idea to talk with your family and your doctor before trying a new product.

In Turkey, hemp-derived products, including CBD, may be sold only in pharmacies (Law No. 7557, January 31, 2026 regulation). Products in the medicine and health product classes are dispensed with a prescription; no prescription requirement is stated for support products and cosmetics (personal care products) with a THC content of no more than 0.3%. As of October 2026, there is no approved CBD medicine in Turkey. Details are on the legislation page.

Conclusion

The young adults in the US survey mostly considered CBD safe and effective; yet, contrary to what some of them believed, these products don’t have to be proven effective there before they are sold. Research is still at an early stage: in acne, a CBD solution gave no different results from a solution without CBD in the largest study, and in other areas there are only small studies. For young skin, a simple routine and, when needed, a dermatologist are the most reliable path for now.

Frequently asked questions

References