Safety and Potential Effects of Cannabidiol on Skin Cells

Objective: Cannabidiol (CBD), a phytochemical active compound from the Cannabis sativa L., has become a popular ingredient in many industries, especially skincare products. However, the scientific evidence supporting its potential skin benefits and safety concerns are still unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the short-term and long-term cytotoxic effects of CBD and its potential melanin-promoting effect on skin cells in order to deeply evaluate the safety of CBD for use in cosmetics. Material and Methods: HaCaT keratinocytes and B16F10 melanoma cell lines were cultured and investigated in regard to the cytotoxicity of cannabidiol in various concentrations (0-10 μg/ml) in the short term and long term by sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay and clonogenic assay, respectively. Next, the cellular melanin production was measured by melanin content assay. The expression of the related genes was accessed by qPCR. Results: The short-term and long-term cytotoxicity studies revealed that CBD at a low concentration was not toxic to skin cells. In addition, CBD could induce melanogenesis in melanocytes by increasing melanin content and upregulating tyrosinase expression. Also, CBD provoked cell proliferation and enhanced vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA expression in keratinocytes. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that CBD at a low concentration (0.6 μg/ml) is safe for the skin cells in vitro and should thus also be safe if applied to skin. Additionally, CBD could significantly enhance melanogenesis and cell proliferation, which confirms its potential as a cosmeceutical product.