CBD CBG Topicals for Eczema: 5 Proven Benefits Backed by Data

What one tiny Polish study taught us about high-dose cannabinoids and itchy, angry skin.

A 2025 pilot study titled “Evaluation of Biophysical Parameters of the Skin of Patients With Atopic Dermatitis After Application of an Ointment Containing 30% Cannabidiol and 5% Cannabigerol” by Burczyk et al., published in Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology (DOI: 10.2147/CCID.S472746), set out to explore whether a cannabinoid-rich ointment could bring real relief to patients battling the chronic discomfort of atopic dermatitis. Or read the PDF here

Tl;DR (Top 5 Takeaways)

1. A potent CBD-CBG topical showed measurable improvements in hydration, barrier repair, and inflammation for AD patients.
2. Despite encouraging skin metrics, the study’s sample size was small and lacked a control group.
3. The formulation included 30% CBD and 5% CBG—a high dose not commonly found in over-the-counter products.
4. Cannabinoids’ skin benefits may come from anti-inflammatory and ECS-modulating properties.
5. More robust trials are needed before declaring this formulation a game-changer—but it’s a promising start.

Can Cannabinoids Calm the Storm of Atopic Dermatitis?

Atopic dermatitis (AD), that irritating skin circus of redness, itching, and frustration, has long bullied the lotions and potions aisle. Enter: a CBD CBG topical for eczema—part science experiment, part hopeful balm. This recent pilot study, published in Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, puts cannabinoids on trial in a serious skin showdown.

While it’s not the silver bullet (yet), the study packs plenty of punch—offering evidence, curiosity, and just a dash of “what if?” Let’s peel it all back.

What Was This Study About?

It wasn’t a full-blown randomized controlled trial (RCT)—think more dermatological reconnaissance mission.

The Details

• Location: Medical University of Silesia, Poland
• Sample Size: Just 9 patients (20–67 years old)
• Study Type: Single-center, open-label, no control
• Ointment Composition:
  • 30% Cannabidiol (CBD)
  • 5% Cannabigerol (CBG)
  • Hemp seed oil
  • Cholesterol-based emollient base

Application: Once daily on the forearms for 8 weeks, wrapped overnight with wet dressings. Think of it as a bedtime ritual for your eczema—minus the fairy dust.

What Did the CBD CBG Topical for Eczema Actually Do?

Results Worth Scratching Into the Record

Measured skin changes over 8 weeks included:

1. ↑ Skin Hydration (p < 0.001)
2. ↓ Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL) (p < 0.001)
3. ↑ Sebum Levels (p < 0.05)
4. ↓ Erythema (redness) (p < 0.01)

Notably, skin pH and melanin levels didn’t budge significantly—so, no, this won’t double as a tanning lotion.

These aren’t just vanity metrics. Hydration and reduced TEWL signal better barrier function, a central struggle in AD.

What’s Working Behind the Scenes?

The Endocannabinoid System—Not Just for Mood Swings

The body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) is like your internal conductor—regulating inflammation, pain, even itch perception. Cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) live in your skin cells, immune cells, and sebaceous glands, meaning topicals don’t need to reach the bloodstream to get to work.

CBD steps in as the chill diplomat:

• Stabilizes mast cells (→ less histamine itch)
• Calms inflammation
• Boosts barrier restoration

CBG, meanwhile, is like the bouncer at the cytokine club:

• Suppresses pro-inflammatory cytokines
• Fights off staph and other skin-invading bacteria
• Inhibits arachidonic acid, a player in inflammation

Why You Shouldn’t Toss Your Steroids Just Yet

It’s a Pilot Study, Not a Prescription

Let’s be clear: This was a tiny, non-blinded, non-randomized study with no control group. Some participants bailed early. Others didn’t love the ointment’s greasy texture. And critically—it was run during May to July, when AD tends to chill out naturally.

Still, improvements in hydration and inflammation weren’t just a fluke. The numbers were statistically significant, and in some cases—like Patient #4’s hydration jumping from 6.5 to 22.4 CU—visibly impressive.

Humor Me—Why This Matters Beyond the Numbers

Because chronic skin conditions mess with more than just your dermis. They poke at your self-esteem, your sleep, your dating life, your sanity. And let’s face it: steroid creams often feel like both salvation and sabotage. Enter a CBD CBG topical for eczema, promising relief without the hormone rollercoaster.

Is it magic? Nope.

Is it worth exploring further, especially with physician guidance? Absolutely.

What Should Clinicians and Patients Take Away?

Clinicians

• Educate patients about CBD dosing realism—this ointment was 30%, not 3%.
• Emphasize that topical ECS targeting is real, but regulatory and product inconsistency make patient counseling essential.
• Consider pilot use in steroid-weary or side-effect-sensitive patients, especially if quality of life is tanking.

Patients

• Look for high-quality formulations. Over-the-counter “CBD creams” often don’t list CBG or even CBD concentrations.
• Talk to your provider, especially if you’re juggling other dermatologic or immune conditions.
• Manage expectations—it’s relief, not a resurrection.

Where This Goes Next

More studies. Larger sample sizes. RCTs with longer follow-ups. Maybe even a double-blind trial using a head-to-head against hydrocortisone.

Until then? The PDF is available here if you’re the type who likes combing through tables and graphs.

And for clinicians and patients alike, let this be a nudge toward better cannabinoid dermatology research—grounded in data, driven by curiosity, and guided by people who know skin better than a TikTok influencer with a jade roller.

Internal Resources to Explore

• Medical Cannabis for Chronic Inflammation
• Understanding the Endocannabinoid System
• How to Talk to Your Doctor About Cannabis

External Resources Worth Bookmarking

• • National Eczema Association Commentary 
  • The Skin and Natural Cannabinoids–Topical and Transdermal Applications
  • What Are The Unique Cannabinoids?