Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a widespread skin condition that causes patches of itchy, dry, and cracked skin. While it’s more common in children, it can still occur during adulthood, and one of the worst things is, stress can exacerbate eczema—something there’s no shortage of as an adult!

Regrettably, there is no known cure for eczema, but it can go away over time. Researchers also don’t know what causes eczema to occur in the first place, but they’ve highlighted a list of possible triggers, including:

• Allergens/food
• Microbes
• Extreme temperature changes
• Stress
• Hormonal imbalance
• Irritants

Fortunately, most cases are mild, and, with the support of eczema creams, symptoms are very manageable. The key is identifying possible triggers and working to reduce or remove them.

Despite being synonymous with teenagers, acne can occur at any age and is one of the most habitual skin conditions. Acne occurs when skin follicles become blocked with dead cells and natural oils, manifesting as whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples. Severe symptoms also include lumps under the skin (nodules) and cysts.

Unlike eczema, we have a better idea of what causes acne, making the condition easier to manage. However, some genetic factors contribute to acne’s severity. No matter the seriousness, possible triggers include:

• Hormonal imbalance
• Medications
• Stress
• Diet

Hormonal imbalance is a common trigger, and partly the reason why acne is more frequent among teenagers. Diet is also a widespread trigger, but probably not the foods you’d expect. You’ll be happy to know that chocolate and greasy foods don’t contribute to acne—carbohydrate-rich foods are the true culprit.

Another prevalent skin condition among adults is psoriasis. With psoriasis, cells become confused, rapidly multiplying until a build-up of dead cells sits atop normal skin. Symptoms manifest as red, bumpy, and irritated skin with white scales. Skin is also usually very itchy, creating a lot of discomfort. Any distress is made worse by the fact that the risk areas include the scalp, elbows, and knees.

Psoriasis is another skin condition whose exact cause remains a mystery. However, it tends to run in families, which leads scientists to believe there may be links to a genetic abnormality with the immune system. Other potential triggers include:

• Stress
• Medications (including blood pressure and antimalarial medication)
• Cuts and breaks in the skin
• Strep infections

Despite not knowing the exact cause of psoriasis, there are lots of treatments available. Most involve specialised creams and ointments, with some severe cases benefiting from light therapy and steroid programmes.

Although sunburn isn’t a skin condition in the same sense as the cases highlighted above, it’s still an all-too-common occurrence. This time, however, we know exactly what causes sunburn—prolonged sunlight exposure. More specifically, it’s UV rays from the sun that burn the skin’s outer layer, but that’s just the damage we can see. UV rays can also damage DNA, leading to skin cancer.

While protection against sunlight is essential for everyone, not all people experience symptoms at the same rate. Your skin type, the sun’s intensity, and how long you’re exposed all play a part in the severity. Symptoms usually take a few hours to appear, and include:

• Patches of red skin
• Blisters
• Peeling and itching

It’s important to note that the impact of sunburn doesn’t purely show itself in the skin. Overexposure can also lead to flu, chills, nausea, and headaches. Again, relief comes in the form of creams, gels, and ointments, but the best cure for sunburn is prevention!

Research is ongoing, but preclinical trials have investigated CBD’s potential to soothe inflammatory skin conditions, protect against ageing, and reduce red, sensitive skin. There’s also the psychological impact of CBD to consider. The compound has been probed for a possible reduction in stress and anxiety.

Skin is an organ affected not only by physical factors, but mental well-being too. Addressing physical symptoms is only one part of a complete skincare solution, especially when stress is a prominent trigger in acne, eczema, psoriasis, and dozens of other debilitating skin conditions.

Fortunately, the all-encompassing nature of CBD is a strength that plays directly into the treatment of skin. After all, a complex organ needs a versatile solution! Combined with its lack of toxicity, the compound is proving a powerful ally to existing skincare ingredients and treatments.