Can CBD or hemp oil help rosacea? Medical cannabis research options explained

Rosacea can affect anyone, though typically it is seen more frequently in people over 30 who are fair-skinned, particularly women. It causes redness on the face, neck, and chest and while not life-threatening, it can certainly be difficult for sufferers as well as cause them irritation and discomfort. In a survey conducted by the National Rosacea Society, 90% said the condition had lowered their self-esteem, while 52% had avoided face-to-face contact because of it.

The most recent research pointing to the potential effectiveness of medical cannabis options, and CBD for rosacea in particular, as a treatment has given many people a welcome sense of hope.

What causes rosacea, and what are the conventional treatment options?

It’s unclear what exactly causes rosacea, though there are several possibilities. Potential culprits include environmental factors, bacteria on the skin, immune system dysfunction, and genetics. Factors which cause the facial blood vessels to enlarge, such excessive alcohol consumption, hot or cold temperatures, general inflammation, and stress, are thought to contribute to periodic flare-ups.

The conventional treatments tend to be topical creams or oral medications to help people manage symptoms during a flare-up. Doctors will also prescribe antibiotics and, in severe cases, surgery may be required to address any disfigurement due to scarring.

But both CBD and hemp seed oil creams for rosacea have slowly but surely worked their way into dermatology’s spotlight. What began as curiosity about the overall therapeutic potential of cannabis-derived compounds has turned into a serious area of research. These compounds seem to do something our current treatments often overlook: they help the skin regain its own natural balance. 

How the endocannabinoid system supports skin health in rosacea

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD) are the two cannabinoids found in the highest concentrations in cannabis and hemp cultivars. 

THC has a huge scope of potential therapeutic applications, along with being the main psychoactive compound that causes the ‘high’ associated with cannabis consumption, while CBD also offers a bunch of potential therapeutic benefits but with no intoxicating effects.

Most of the research to this point has focused on hemp seed oil and CBD creams for rosacea, but THC is beginning to enter the discussion as well. Research into the effectiveness of THC for skin conditions is in its infancy, but within the next few years, we will have a much fuller understanding of how it may (or may not) benefit people with rosacea.

CBD has been studied far more extensively, at least for skin issues. Its connection to the endocannabinoid system (ECS) is central to why it interests researchers. 

The ECS is the body’s most widespread network of receptors and chemical messengers that helps regulate homeostasis in the body, including the skin. When inflammation or stress disrupts that balance, CBD appears to act as a stabiliser.

Within the skin, the CB2 receptors influence immune activity, cell growth, and inflammation control. By interacting with these receptors, CBD may help reduce redness, oxidative stress, and irritation while supporting the skin’s barrier and repair processes. It also slows the breakdown of the body’s own endocannabinoids, helping them stay active longer and maintain equilibrium.

THC has also shown potential as an anti-inflammatory and pain reliever. When used in combination with CBD, it may enhance these effects and offer broader symptom relief for people living with rosacea. In the UK, all medical cannabis products containing more than 1 mg of THC must be prescribed by a GMC-registered specialist doctor.

CBD and hemp oil research for rosacea: latest 2024/2025 evidence

Both CBD and hemp seed oil are sourced from Cannabis sativa L. plants (which includes all cannabis and hemp varieties), but they are very different compounds. CBD is a cannabinoid found mostly in the trichomes, while hemp seed oil is, as the name implies, extracted from the seeds.

Hemp seed oil does not contain either THC or CBD (or any other cannabinoids), but it comes with its own set of skin rejuvenating compounds. It’s a naturally rich source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, as well as vitamins B and D, and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). These nutrients help maintain the skin’s barrier, reduce moisture loss, and calm irritation.

What new research shows about CBD and hemp seed oil for rosacea relief

Let’s start with a 2025 study from The Catholic University of Korea, published in BMB Reports, that set out to understand how CBD might actually calm the kind of inflammation seen in rosacea.

This was a preclinical experiment using a well-established rosacea-like mouse model, meaning no human participants were involved. The researchers used a peptide called LL-37 to trigger redness and swelling that mirrors the symptoms of rosacea in humans, creating a controlled version of the condition. 

Then they began testing different strengths of CBD as a topical treatment (0.1%, 0.3%, and 1%), both alone and in combination with metronidazole, a medication already commonly prescribed to manage rosacea.

Here’s what they found:

The mice that received CBD developed far less redness and visible blood vessel dilation than those that didn’t. The 1% CBD group showed the clearest improvement.

• Tissue samples from this group revealed thinner epidermal layers and fewer inflammatory cells under the microscope.
• Adding metronidazole made the effect stronger again, suggesting that CBD might work alongside existing treatments rather than replace them.
• In deeper analyses, CBD appeared to calm mast cells, the immune cells responsible for much of rosacea’s redness and stinging.
• It also reduced activity in key inflammatory genes such as TNF, IL-1β, and IL-6, and slowed several signalling pathways (ERK, JNK, and p38 MAPK) that drive flare-ups.
• The team repeated the experiment in human skin cell cultures, and saw the same pattern: CBD reduced oxidative stress and inflammation in a measurable way.
• Taken together, the research suggests that CBD for rosacea may be among the most effective current treatment options, especially when paired with medications that dermatologists already prescribe, like metronidazole.

When it comes to research on hemp seed oil for rosacea, we have a growing body of evidence, all of which was quite handily reviewed in a wide-ranging 2024 research paper published in Pharmaceutics.

The authors made an interesting point: even without any CBD or THC, hemp seed oil still seems to have genuine therapeutic value. Much of that comes from its nutrient composition. It carries an omega-6 to omega-3 ratio of around 3:1, which is very close to what healthy skin naturally needs to maintain a strong barrier.

Hemp seed oil for rosacea is also packed with gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), two fatty acids long known to calm inflammation and encourage the skin’s natural healing cycle. According to the review, these nutrients may work indirectly through the endocannabinoid system, supporting the processes that guide cell growth and regulate immune activity in the skin.

The review also highlighted hemp seed oil’s moisturising and barrier-repairing effects, particularly valuable for people whose rosacea causes dryness, tightness, or irritation after flare-ups.

The current state of research on medical cannabis for rosacea

Right now, there are no specific pieces of research to highlight that look at medical cannabis products containing THC for rosacea. 

That said, THC/medical cannabis can offer a range of therapeutic skin benefits, many of which may overlap with rosacea symptoms. THC can:

Research in other areas of dermatology and pain management show that THC can:

• Reduce inflammation, by regulating levels of cytokines and other signalling molecules.
• Ease pain and discomfort, through its interaction with the CB1 receptors in the skin and nervous system.
• Regulate vascular activity, which may help limit flushing and visible redness.
• Support wound healing, particularly when inflammation/scarring is part of the problem.
• THC can also help reduce the impact of certain mental health issues, like anxiety and/or depression, that may be caused by continual rosacea flare-ups

How to use CBD oil and/or hemp seed oil for rosacea 

Treatment for rosacea starts with a proper skincare routine, but the research shows that adding hemp seed oil for rosacea and/or CBD cream for rosacea to your current treatment plan may boost your chances of effective, ongoing symptom control. 

Follow these five steps to keep your skin in optimal condition:

• Use a daily cleanser: A CBD-based cleanser can help support your skin’s health, but any option is really fine for this stage of the process.
• Add a hemp/CBD cream to your daily routine: Apply as soon as you have finished cleansing. The added therapeutic benefits may help calm your rosacea symptoms. 
• Moisturise: After you finish with the facial cleanser and your CBD/hemp seed oil cream for rosacea, it’s important to moisturise to help soothe the area, reduce irritation, and lock in the therapeutic compounds.
• Use sun protection: No matter the weather conditions, UV can break through and cause damage to your skin. Even if there are heavy clouds hanging low and dumping down rain, we all should be wearing UV protective sunscreen every single day. SPF factor 50+ is the best choice, but if SPF 30+ is all you have available, then use it. People with rosacea may benefit from a specialised facial sunscreen over generic, full body options. 
• Avoid triggers: It’s not always obvious what these triggers may be, but it’s sensible to avoid the common ones, like alcohol and heavy sun exposure. Both can cause facial blood vessels to dilate, increasing the chance of a flare-up.

Are CBD and hemp creams risk-free for rosacea and sensitive skin?

CBD has been shown, time and again, to be well-tolerated and without the more serious side effects people may experience with NSAIDs, steroids, and antibiotics. Both recent papers reported that CBD and hemp seed oil are well tolerated, even on sensitive or inflamed skin.

• In the 2025 Korean study, topical CBD was applied at concentrations up to 1%, with or without metronidazole. None of the treated groups showed irritation or barrier damage, and skin structure actually improved.

• The 2024 Pharmaceutics review reached similar conclusions for hemp seed oil, noting that its fatty acid balance helps restore hydration and reduce inflammation without causing sensitivity. 

FAQs about CBD, hemp seed oil, and medical cannabis for rosacea

How quickly can CBD or hemp seed oil reduce rosacea redness?

Results vary, but many people notice calmer skin within a few weeks of regular use. CBD works on inflammation, while hemp seed oil helps repair the skin barrier more gradually.

Can I use CBD cream with prescription rosacea medication?

Yes, usually. The Korean study found CBD worked well alongside metronidazole, but always check with your doctor before combining treatments.

Does medical cannabis help with facial flushing and stress-related flares?

It may help by calming inflammation and blood vessel activity through the endocannabinoid system, though more human research is needed.

What should I do if my rosacea worsens after using CBD or hemp oil?

Stop using it and speak with your clinician. Reactions are uncommon but can happen, especially with fragranced or high-strength products. Patch testing should always be done before full application. 

If you would like to learn more about the medical cannabis products that contain CBD available to UK rosacea patients, head to Releaf’s medical cannabis eligibility checker. It’s the first step towards a legal, effective UK medical cannabis treatment plan, and it’s totally free. 

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