Can CBD Help With Eczema and Dry Skin?

Yes, research suggests CBD may help with eczema and dry skin. In a 2020 study published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, people with eczema who applied a CBD gel saw their symptom scores fall by about half in just two weeks, and two out of three reported less itching. A 2025 study found that a CBD-rich ointment improved skin hydration and reduced itch in adults with atopic dermatitis, the most common type of eczema. Researchers believe CBD may work by calming inflammation through the skin’s own endocannabinoid system, and early lab research suggests it may also help skin hold on to moisture. Below, we cover what eczema is, how CBD works in the skin, what the latest studies found, and how to add a CBD topical to your routine.

What Is Eczema?

The National Eczema Association recognizes seven types of eczema, including atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, dyshidrotic eczema, and seborrheic dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis is the most common. Eczema can show up in childhood, adolescence, or adulthood, and it ranges from mild to severe. For many people, the dry air of fall and winter makes it worse.

What Causes Eczema Flare-Ups?

According to the Mayo Clinic, some people with eczema have a gene variation that affects how well the skin barrier holds in moisture and keeps out irritants and allergens. When that barrier is compromised, everyday triggers can spark an inflammatory response that leads to the familiar itch and redness. Common triggers include cold, dry air; heat and sweat; stress; fragrances; harsh soaps and cleaning products; rough wool fabric; and dust mites or pet dander.

Since inflammation drives most eczema symptoms, it’s also the main reason researchers are interested in CBD.

What Are the Symptoms of Eczema?

Symptoms may include:

•       Itchiness, which can be intense

•       Dry, sensitive skin

•       Inflamed skin that looks red, darker, or discolored depending on your skin tone

•       Rough, scaly, or thickened patches

•       Oozing or crusting

•       Swelling in the affected area

A dermatologist can confirm whether your symptoms are eczema and which type you have.

How Do People Usually Manage Eczema?

Consistency is what makes any eczema routine work. The Mayo Clinic recommends moisturizing at least twice a day and applying moisturizer within a few minutes of bathing, while skin is still damp, to seal in hydration. Many people add a CBD topical to this routine for extra support, especially during the drier months of the year.

Can CBD Help With Eczema?

CBD (cannabidiol) is a non-intoxicating compound from the hemp plant. In a topical, it goes right where your skin needs it, and it fits easily into the moisturizing habits dermatologists already recommend. People often reach for CBD when they want to round out their routine with a plant-based option they can use alongside their current care.

If you’re considering CBD for eczema, start with a conversation with your dermatologist, who can confirm your diagnosis and help you fit CBD into your routine. We walk through how to talk to your doctor about trying CBD in a separate guide.

How Does CBD Work on Your Skin?

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a network of receptors, enzymes, and signaling molecules found throughout the body, including the skin. Skin cells make their own endocannabinoids, anandamide (AEA) and 2-AG, in the epidermis, hair follicles, and sebaceous (oil) glands, and CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors are present in nearly every type of skin cell, according to a 2018 review in Biochemical Pharmacology. Researchers believe this system helps regulate how skin grows, repairs itself, and responds to irritation.

Rather than binding directly to CB1 and CB2 receptors, CBD is thought to work in several indirect ways, as outlined in a 2020 review of CBD for skin health. It may slow the breakdown of anandamide, the skin’s own calming endocannabinoid, and it interacts with other receptors, including TRPV channels involved in itch and PPAR receptors involved in inflammation. Together, these actions may help quiet an overactive immune response in the skin.

Early lab research also points to a moisturizing effect. In a 2021 study, mice treated with a 1% CBD solution for 14 days had significantly higher skin water content and more aquaporin-3, a protein that helps move water into skin cells.

What Does the Research Say About CBD for Eczema?

1.       A CBD gel cut eczema symptom scores roughly in half in two weeks. In a 2020 observational study in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 16 people with self-reported eczema used a topical CBD gel. Their average score on the Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure dropped from 16 to about 8 after two weeks, 67% reported less itching, and half said their eczema improved by more than 60%. Scores measuring the emotional burden of eczema also fell by more than half.

2.       Half of participants reached clear or almost-clear skin in a placebo-controlled trial. In a 2022 randomized, double-blind trial published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, a topical formula combining CBD with aspartame helped 50% of participants with atopic dermatitis reach clear or almost-clear skin within 14 days, compared with 15% in the placebo group.

3.       A CBD and CBG ointment improved hydration and itch. In a 2025 pilot study in Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, nine adults with atopic dermatitis applied an ointment containing 30% CBD and 5% CBG (cannabigerol, another non-intoxicating hemp compound) once a day for eight weeks. Researchers reported better skin hydration, less itching, and clearing of eczema lesions in some participants.

4.       A CBD ointment improved hydration and elasticity over three months. In a 2019 study in Clinica Terapeutica, 20 people with atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, or scarring applied a CBD-enriched ointment twice a day for three months. Researchers measured better skin hydration and elasticity, less moisture loss, and improved symptom scores, with no irritation or allergic reactions reported.

5.       Hemp seed oil reduced dryness and itching. In a 2005 randomized crossover study in the Journal of Dermatological Treatment, adults with atopic dermatitis who took two tablespoons of hemp seed oil a day reported less skin dryness and itchiness, and used less medicated skin cream, than when they took olive oil. Hemp seed oil is pressed from hemp seeds and is rich in omega fatty acids, including gamma-linolenic acid (GLA).

How Do You Use CBD for Eczema?

1.       Talk with your dermatologist. Let them know you’d like to add CBD to your routine, especially if you use prescription creams.

2.       Start with a patch test. Apply a small amount to one area and wait a day to make sure it agrees with your skin, a good habit with any new skin care product.

3.       Apply after bathing. Gently pat skin dry and apply your CBD topical within a few minutes, while skin is still slightly damp, to help lock in moisture.

4.       Use it every day. Topical CBD works locally where you apply it. In studies, results appeared after two weeks of regular use, and longer studies measured gains at eight and twelve weeks.

5.       Choose a lab-tested product. Look for third-party lab results so you know exactly how much CBD you’re getting.

6.       Keep up the basics. CBD works best as part of a routine that includes regular moisturizing and avoiding your triggers.

Which CBD Topical Should You Try for Dry Skin?

Our Arbor & Shore CBD Body Butter took second place at the High Times Cannabis Cup in both 2017 and 2018, and it’s a customer favorite for dry skin. For the face, the Arbor & Shore CBD Face Moisturizer earned third place for Best Topical at the 2018 High Times Cannabis Cup. Every Urban Roots product is made in Michigan and third-party lab tested.

Here’s what one customer, Vicky, shared after trying the Body Butter:

“Hey team, wanted to let you know… I figured I would see how it would work on my calves just for my dry skin and sometimes eczema. I cannot believe how well it worked after a few days!!! Super happy customer and just had to let you guys know!!”

— Vicky

Browse our full line of CBD topicals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can CBD help with eczema?

Early research suggests topical CBD may reduce eczema itch, redness, and dryness, and some study participants noticed improvement within two weeks.

Does CBD help with eczema itching?

In a 2020 study, 67% of people with eczema reported less itching after two weeks of using a topical CBD gel.

Is a CBD cream or CBD oil better for eczema?

Topicals such as creams, balms, and ointments are the best fit, since the eczema studies used CBD applied directly to the skin.

How long does CBD take to work on eczema?

Participants in a 2020 study reported noticeable improvement after two weeks, and longer studies measured continued gains at eight and twelve weeks. For more on timing, see our guide to how long CBD takes to work.

How often should you apply CBD for eczema?

Once or twice a day on affected areas, ideally right after bathing while your skin is still slightly damp.

Can CBD help with dry skin if you don’t have eczema?

Early research suggests it may, since a 2021 lab study found CBD increased skin water content and a 2019 study found a CBD ointment improved skin hydration and elasticity.

Is hemp seed oil the same as CBD oil?

No. Hemp seed oil is pressed from hemp seeds and valued for its omega fatty acids, while CBD oil is extracted from the hemp plant’s flowers and leaves, and both have been studied for eczema-prone skin.

Can you use CBD with eczema medication?

Many people use CBD topicals alongside their regular routine, but check with your dermatologist before combining CBD with prescription creams or other medications.

Will a CBD topical make you high?

No. CBD is non-intoxicating, and topicals are applied to the skin rather than taken by mouth.

The Bottom Line on CBD and Eczema

Eczema affects about one in ten Americans, and a consistent skin care routine is the foundation of keeping it comfortable. Early research suggests CBD topicals may add real support to that routine by calming inflammation, easing itch, and helping skin hold on to moisture, with some people noticing a difference in about two weeks. Talk with your dermatologist, choose a lab-tested product, and give it a few weeks of daily use to see how your skin responds.

Have questions about CBD or our products? Contact our team anytime.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Urban Roots products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to a healthcare provider before using CBD, especially if you take other medications.