By Luke Sumpter


Rosacea doesn’t only affect the skin. The condition also takes a toll on the mind. Many patients experience mental health difficulties associated with negative changes in their appearance. Currently, people with the condition are offered antibiotics, topical gels, and even light therapy. But researchers are on the hunt for more treatment options, and some of them have their eyes on cannabis.

What Is Rosacea?

As a chronic relapsing inflammatory condition that affects the skin, rosacea causes redness, flushing, and irritation. The fluctuating nature of the disease means patients experience revolving periods of exacerbation and remission. Currently, approximately 10% of the population is affected by rosacea, with the highest prevalence among fair-skinned Northern Europeans[1].

No cure currently exists for rosacea. Fortunately, the condition isn’t dangerous, and permanent damage to the skin is rare. However, many patients struggle with the psychosocial implications. Rosacea primarily occurs on the face—an area of the body that we use to communicate both verbally and through physical expression. Facial appearance plays a massive role in a person’s self-esteem, and the recurring presence of redness, bumps, and visible blood vessels can result in fear of judgement and even anxiety and depression[2].

Doctors prescribe a range of treatments to manage the redness and flushing associated with rosacea, including topical gels, courses of antibiotics, and intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy. While these treatments work well for some patients, others are left seeking alternative sources of relief. Researchers are working on finding new ways to manage the condition, and cannabis has garnered interest in this regard.

What Is Rosacea?
  • Are Rosacea and Psoriasis Related?

Rosacea and psoriasis are frequently mistaken for one another. Both conditions are chronic and rooted in inflammation, and both manifest as redness and bumps. However, distinct processes underpin each condition, and their symptoms are unique to boot.

Unlike rosacea, which arises from immune and neurovascular dysfunction, psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder that ramps up skin cell proliferation. This causes a buildup of cells that push to the surface, resulting in patches of red, scaly skin and subsequent itching and irritation.

Psoriasis also rears its head at different locations across the skin—it primarily affects the scalp, trunk, elbows, knees, and genitals—whereas rosacea occurs on the face and eyes. Furthermore, flare-ups for each condition are associated with different triggers. You’ll discover the triggers of rosacea below, but those that aggravate psoriasis include infections, stress, cold weather, alcohol, and some prescription medications.

How Rosacea Occurs

The exact cause of rosacea remains unknown, but researchers point to a combination of an overactive immune system, genetics, and environmental factors. Among these, genetics appears to play a governing role, as up to 50% of patients have a family history of the condition.

Contrary to popular belief, the condition doesn’t stem from bad hygiene, and it can’t pass from one person to another in an infectious manner. While the precise molecular mechanisms that underpin rosacea remain unknown, certain triggers[3] are recognised to exacerbate the condition in susceptible individuals. These include:

Microbes Ultraviolet (UV) radiation
Nutrition Extreme temperatures
Skin barrier disruption Psychological stress
Hormone fluctuations

When it comes to nutrition, several foods and drinks are regular culprits. The following are known to frequently cause flare-ups:

Hot beverages such as tea and coffee Alcohol
Spices Tomatoes
Citrus fruits Chocolate

As our second-largest organ, the skin plays a key role in human physiology. But it doesn’t exist as an inert barrier separating the inside of the body from the external world. Through a series of complex networks, the skin intertwines with the nervous system, immune system, and endocrine system. Various different cell types are implicated in rosacea, including:

  • Keratinocytes: Primary cell type found in the outermost layer of skin; defend against UV rays and pathogens
  • Mast cells: Help to direct the immune response; contain chemicals involved in inflammation, such as histamines and cytokines
  • Neurons: Nervous system cells that transmit electrical and chemical signals
  • Epithelial cells: Another important and protective cell type present in the skin
  • Macrophages: Immune cells that detect and destroy pathogens
  • Fibroblasts: Secrete collagen and help to build connective tissue

These components contribute to the innate immune system; the non-specific defence system active in the body since birth. Receptors present on some of these cells help to detect threats such as pathogens and physical trauma. Once detected, the innate immune system in the skin launches a chemical attack by secreting antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) such as cytokines and chemokines. These proinflammatory molecules help to fight off invaders, but might also contribute to the symptoms of rosacea when the signalling pathways become disrupted.

Research has found rosacea patients to exhibit higher levels of receptors that detect these threats, as well as higher levels of AMPs associated with angiogenesis (the creation of new blood vessels), which could contribute to symptoms[4] such as redness and flushing. Triggers such as stress, UV radiation, and hormones might also spark this chemical cascade, resulting in flushing, skin sensitivity, itch, and vasodilation (the widening of blood vessels).

Rosacea Symptoms
  • Rosacea Symptoms

The primary symptoms of rosacea include:

  • Redness on the nose, cheeks, forehead, and chin
  • Burning and stinging sensations when washing the face or using cosmetic products
  • Visible blood vessels on the surface of the skin
  • Small pink or red bumps

Other symptoms that can develop are:

Dry skin Swelling around the eyes
Yellow patches on the skin Thickening of skin on the nose
Sore eyelids Itching

Cannabis, the ECS, and Rosacea: Understanding the Potential

So, what could cannabis relate to the symptoms of rosacea? We simply don’t know. No human trials exist that have tested cannabis or cannabis-derived products on people with the condition. However, other studies offer insight into how the herb might affect the disease.

  • The Emerging Role of the ECS in Skin Disorders

First off, we know that phytochemicals in cannabis, namely cannabinoids, work to encourage homeostasis (balance) in the skin. They do so by interfacing with the endocannabinoid system (ECS). Described as the universal regulator[5] of the human body, the ECS helps many bodily systems maintain this state of equilibrium, from the brain to the bones.

The ECS consists of several key components, including receptors, signalling molecules, and enzymes. Cannabinoids from the cannabis plant manage to bind to these receptors by mimicking signalling molecules produced by the body—a class of chemicals known as endocannabinoids. But not all cannabinoids bind to these sites directly. CBD, for example, only has a minor affinity with them. Instead, it primarily exerts its impact on the ECS by targeting enzymes involved in endocannabinoid production.

How do we know the ECS plays an important part in the skin? Researchers detected components of the system in skin cells, discovering that the ECS plays an important role[6] in cell proliferation, growth, and hormone production. When the ECS functions as it should, it helps to keep processes in the skin running smoothly.

As such, researchers are finding that dysregulation of the ECS plays a role in numerous skin conditions, including atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, scleroderma, and skin cancer. Cannabinoids offer a potential means of influencing this system[7], but to what degree is yet unclear.

  • Cannabis and Rosacea Symptoms

Cannabis may have the potential to soothe the skin in general, but how might it combat symptoms of rosacea? Inflammation plays a key role in the condition, and early research has examined cannabinoids for their potential to quell this physiological process.

A 2013 animal study[8] published in the journal Allergy tested the anti-inflammatory potential of topical THC in a mouse model of atopic dermatitis. The researchers found THC to impact inflammatory molecules released by keratinocytes—those protective skin cells we mentioned above.

Despite THC's ability to bind with both CB1 and CB2 receptors of the ECS, this study found that the cannabinoid managed to achieve its effects independently of these sites. Overall, the researchers concluded that their results indicate further study into cannabinoids as a means of treating inflammatory skin conditions, and rosacea autumns into this category.

Additionally, researchers are looking to see if they can leverage cannabis compounds to help tame itching and red, sensitive skin. A 2020 review[9] published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology explores the relationship between cannabinoids and specific nerve fibres implicated in itch.

The review also documents ongoing studies testing the efficacy of medical cannabis for itch (pruritus) associated with atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and allergic dermatitis, among other conditions. However, the authors conclude that tightly controlled clinical trials are required to confirm the potential of cannabinoid treatment for pruritus.

Cannabinoids aside, the herb also produces over 200 terpenes. These aromatic molecules are responsible for the smells and tastes of different cultivars, but they also serve as a reservoir of holistic potential. A review from 2011[10] titled “Botanicals and anti-inflammatories: natural ingredients for rosacea” explored the benefits of several plant species for the condition. Several of the active ingredients in these plants also appear in cannabis, including linalool and camphor.

Cannabis and Rosacea Symptoms

CBD for Rosacea Symptoms

Where does CBD fit into all of this? The non-intoxicating cannabinoid has soaked up the limelight over the past few years, and studies are currently determining the phytochemical’s anti-inflammatory and skin-soothing prowess.

A review[11] published in 2020 in the journal Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology investigated the relationship of CBD with skin health and disorders. The paper touches upon ways in which the cannabinoid could impact the symptoms of inflammatory conditions. For example, the report points to ongoing preclinical studies investigating the antinociceptive (pain stimulus-blocking) potential of CBD in neuropathic and inflammatory pain models.

The research compiled in the review also unveils the role of the CB1 receptor in the itch response. Animal studies show that increasing levels of circulating endocannabinoids reduced itch in mouse models. Interestingly, CBD impacts enzymes of the ECS in a way that temporarily increases endocannabinoid levels. More specifically, it works to inhibit an enzyme[12] known as fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) that is tasked with breaking down the endocannabinoid anandamide, a molecule that binds to CB1.

However, researchers haven’t proved this mechanism in humans, or its efficacy in alleviating the symptoms of skin disorders.

How To Use Cannabis or CBD for Rosacea

Without data from clinical trials, nobody knows exactly how to use CBD for rosacea, or how much to use. Moreover, there are numerous ways to consume or otherwise apply the cannabinoid, including oral, sublingual, inhalation, and topical. In cases of rosacea or other skin conditions, it makes the most sense to opt for topical application, whether that's with regular CBD oil or dedicated skin creams, salves, and lotions.

Applying CBD creams to the skin will introduce the cannabinoid directly to affected cells. Many products on the market also contain other soothing botanicals that help to hydrate and nourish the skin.

Rosacea Won’t Go Away, But Cannabinoids May Help With Symptoms

At this point, it appears that cannabis and its active constituents won’t make rosacea disappear. However, some patients report that topical creams containing cannabinoids and other beneficial ingredients take the edge off. In any case, given the vast and largely untapped potential of cannabinoids and terpenes, researchers are wise to continue probing the cannabis plant in hopes of relieving symptoms of skin conditions such as rosacea.

External Resources:
  1. Rosacea: Epidemiology, pathogenesis, and treatment https://www.tandfonline.com
  2. Psychosocial aspects of rosacea with a focus on anxiety and depression https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. New insights into rosacea pathophysiology: a review of recent findings - PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. Rosacea as a disease of cathelicidins and skin innate immunity - PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  5. The Endocannabinoid System, Our Universal Regulator https://www.jyi.org
  6. The endocannabinoid system of the skin in health and disease: novel perspectives and therapeutic opportunities https://www.sciencedirect.com
  7. The endocannabinoid system of the skin. A potential approach for the treatment of skin disorders https://www.sciencedirect.com
  8. Anti-inflammatory activity of topical THC in DNFB-mediated mouse allergic contact dermatitis independent of CB1 and CB2 receptors - PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  9. Cannabinoids for the treatment of chronic pruritus: A review https://www.sciencedirect.com
  10. Europe PMC https://europepmc.org
  11. Therapeutic Potential of Cannabidiol (CBD) for Skin Health and Disorders https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  12. Cannabidiol enhances anandamide signaling and alleviates psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Disclaimer:
This content is for educational purposes only. The information provided is derived from research gathered from external sources.

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Privacy Policy - Royal Queen Seeds

To ensure a safe online environment and guarantee adequate data protection, we strictly comply with all legal requirements. In this privacy statement, we provide information about how and for what purpose data is collected, safety measures, storage periods and contact details.


COMPANY NAME: SNORKEL SPAIN, SL (hereinafter ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS)

C/ Vilar d'Abdelà, 5 (nave 1) CP: 08170 de Montornès del Vallès

+34 937 379 846

support@royalqueenseeds.com


The present Privacy Policy sets out the terms on which we will treat personal data at ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS; this includes any personal data collected through our website https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/ as well as any other data we process in the course of our business activities.

ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS collects the following personal data for the purposes listed below:

SECTION 1 – PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT

1.1 Account purchases

Account purchases can only be made if you are in possession of a personal account. When you create an account or purchase something from our shop, as part of the buying and selling process we collect the following personal information that you provide to us:

This information is required for delivery. In addition, when you browse our shop, we automatically receive the Internet Protocol (IP) address of your computer. Based on this information, we can optimise your online experience and at the same time protect our online environment.

Purpose of data collection

We collect and store account-related data for the following purposes:

(a) to carry out obligations arising from any contracts between you and us, and to provide you with information, products and services that you may request from us;

(b) to set up, manage and communicate with you about your account and your orders;

(c) to conduct market research and analysis;

(d) to confirm your age and identity, and to detect and prevent fraud.

1.2 Newsletters

With your explicit permission, we may send you newsletters about our shop, new products and other updates. We send newsletters based on your explicit consent. In the event that you purchase a product, and in accordance with current regulations, we may send you commercial communications in accordance with the legitimate interest of our company, always about products or services similar to those you have purchased or contracted. In any case, you may exercise your right of opposition through the channels announced in this Privacy Policy. The following information is collected in relation to the newsletter:

We do not need to know the sex of the person in order to send the newsletter (data minimisation: by law we must ask for data that is strictly necessary to provide the service, and in this case knowing the sex is not necessary to send the newsletter).

Purpose of data collection

The data collected is used to:

(a) personalise our emails, including your name and gender;

(b) provide gender-specific content.

You can withdraw your consent at any time by using the link provided in the newsletter or the contact information provided in section 2.

1.3 Customer service and contact form

In order to provide appropriate support, our customer service employees have access to information related to the account. Consequently, their support will be highly effective and friendly. The data provided in our contact form is used by our CRM provider, SuperOffice. We will only use your details to respond to your message.

SECTION 2 – LEGITIMATE INTEREST

If you have purchased any of our products, please note that we may process your personal data for promotional purposes, based on Royal Queen Seeds' legitimate interest only to offer you products or services from our company and about products or services similar to those you have purchased. You may exercise your right to opt out of future messages by the means set out in this Privacy Policy or through any notification you receive.

2.1 How do you withdraw consent?

If you change your mind, you can withdraw your consent for us to contact you for the purpose of collecting, using, or disclosing your data at any time by reaching out to us at: support@royalqueenseeds.com.

SECTION 3 – DISCLOSURE

We may disclose your personal information if we are required to do so by law or if you breach our Terms of Service.

SECTION 4 – HOW LONG DO WE KEEP YOUR DATA?

At Royal Queen Seeds, we will not retain your data for longer than is necessary for the purposes described in this Policy. Different retention periods apply for different types of data; however, the longest period we will normally hold any personal data is 10 years.

4.1 Account information

Data relating to the account remains relevant for as long as the consumer is in possession of an account. Therefore, the data remains documented for as long as the account exists. When our customers delete an account, the associated data will be deleted within a reasonable period of time. Requests regarding the inspection or correction of stored personal data or the deletion of an account can be sent to support@royalqueenseeds.com.

4.2 Newsletters

In the event that you give us your consent to inform you about our products or services, we will keep your data until you express your wish not to receive any further communications from us. However, we regularly (every month) carry out a relevance check. Registered customers (and their personal information) will be deleted whenever customers do not reply to our request. In addition, our newsletter mailing has an opt-out feature. Consumers can withdraw their consent by using this opt-out feature.

SECTION 5 – COOKIES

Cookies are small information files that notify your computer of previous interactions with our website. These cookies are stored on your hard drive, not on our website. Essentially, when you use our website, your computer displays its cookies to us, informing our site that you have visited before. This allows our website to function more quickly and remember aspects related to your previous visits (such as your username), making your experience more convenient. At Royal Queen Seeds, we use two types of cookies: functional and analytical.

5.1 Functional Cookies

Functional cookies are used to enhance your online experience. Among other things, these cookies track what is added to your shopping cart. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

5.2 Analytical Cookies

Analytical cookies are used for research and market analysis. The data collected with these analytical cookies is anonymous, making it unusable for third parties. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

SECTION 5 – THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

Third-party services are required to conduct transactions and provide our services. In general, the third-party providers we use will only collect, use and disclose your information to the extent necessary to enable them to perform the services they provide to us.

However, certain third-party service providers, such as payment gateways and other payment transaction processors, have their own privacy policies regarding the information we must provide to them for your transactions.

We encourage you to read the privacy policies of these providers so that you can understand how these providers will handle your personal information.

In particular, certain suppliers may be located or have facilities located in a different jurisdiction than yours or ours. Therefore, if you choose to proceed with a transaction involving the services of a third party, your information may be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which that service provider or its facilities are located.

Once you leave our website or are redirected to a third-party website or application, you are no longer governed by this Privacy Policy or the Terms of Service of our website.

Web analytics service (anonymous data)

On this website we have integrated an element of a web analytics service (with anonymisation functionality). Web analytics can be defined as the gathering, processing and analysis of data about the behaviour of visitors to websites. An analytics service collects, among other things, data about which website a person came from (the so-called referrer), which sub-pages they visited or how often and for how long they visited a sub-page. Web analytics is mainly used for website optimisation and for a cost–benefit analysis of internet advertising.

Courier service

To complete deliveries we use a courier service. This courier service carries out the delivery between our company and the consumer's home. To complete these logistics, the company requires access to the consumer's name and address information.

Mailing service

Royal Queen Seeds uses a third-party mail service provider to send its newsletter. This provider has access to limited account information related to opt-in consent (e.g. email address).

Marketing services

Royal Queen Seeds has the support of a company that specialises in marketing and communication activities. Their access to personal information is very limited and mostly anonymous.

Payment services

At Royal Queen Seeds we use external payment services to handle our transactions (e.g. credit card payments).

SECTION 6 – SECURITY

To protect your personal information, we take reasonable precautions and follow industry standard best practices to ensure that it is not inappropriately lost, misused, accessed, disclosed, altered or destroyed.

If you provide us with your credit card information, the information is encrypted using secure socket layer technology (SSL) and stored using AES-256 encryption. Although no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, we follow all PCI-DSS requirements and implement additional industry standards that are commonly accepted. Information related to the account is protected with a hashing method. This method transforms the information into a generated hash. As a result, confidential information is protected and invisible, even to us. In addition, our databases are exceptionally protected against unauthorised access. For example, access to the database is only possible and permitted via approved IP addresses (e.g. from Royal Queen Seeds headquarters). Other attempts and addresses are rejected at all times.

Furthermore, data is anonymised as much as possible, so it cannot be directly linked to a specific consumer. With this data, however, we may be able to carry out market research and analysis. In addition, the third parties concerned (e.g. mailing service) are examined prior to our collaboration, comply with the GDPR from the EU and receive a processing agreement. Within Royal Queen Seeds, employees are assigned different access permissions. Specific permission provides access only to information that is strictly required to perform a task. Digital security measures are subject to change and must meet high requirements to ensure the safety of online customers. That is why, at Royal Queen Seeds, we appoint a security officer. Regular verification and improvement of security measures (where necessary) are part of the role.

SECTION 7 – CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time, so please check back regularly. Changes and clarifications will be effective immediately upon being published on the Website. If we make substantial changes to this policy, we will notify you here that it has been updated so you will know what information we collect, how we use it and under what circumstances, if any, we use and/or disclose it.

SECTION 8 – YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO: