CBD and Eczema UK: What Does the Research Show?
Can CBD Help Eczema?
CBD and other cannabinoids are being investigated in dermatology, including research involving itching and atopic dermatitis.
But current evidence does not establish ordinary retail CBD oil or CBD balm as a treatment for eczema.
One of the strongest recent pieces of evidence is a 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis involving 3,359 participants across a range of dermatological studies.
The researchers found a modest but statistically significant improvement in pruritus — itching — across cannabinoid interventions.
However, they did not find statistically significant improvements in atopic-dermatitis disease scores, skin dryness, quality of life or several other skin outcomes.
That distinction matters.
It is reasonable to say cannabinoids are being investigated for eczema-related symptoms.
It is not reasonable to say that Valley CBD oil or balm has been proven to treat eczema, prevent flare-ups or reduce the underlying disease.
Read the 2025 systematic review on PubMed.
What Is Eczema?
Eczema is a condition that causes the skin to become dry, itchy, cracked and irritated.
There are several forms of eczema. Atopic eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is one of the most common.
Symptoms vary considerably between people and may improve and worsen over time.
The NHS says there is currently no cure for atopic eczema, although established treatments can help manage symptoms.
The main treatments include emollients to moisturise the skin and topical corticosteroids to reduce swelling, redness and itching during flare-ups. Other treatments may be considered depending on severity.
Read NHS guidance on atopic eczema.
Why Are Cannabinoids Being Studied in Skin Conditions?
Human skin contains receptors, enzymes and signalling molecules associated with the endocannabinoid system and other biological pathways affected by cannabinoids.
Researchers have therefore investigated cannabinoids in relation to:
- itching
- inflammatory signalling
- skin-cell activity
- sebum production
- skin-barrier function
- various dermatological conditions.
This provides a legitimate scientific reason for studying CBD.
But identifying a biological mechanism does not prove that a consumer CBD product will improve eczema.
Laboratory findings need to be tested in appropriately designed human clinical trials.
What Did the 2025 Dermatology Review Find?
The 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis brought together research involving cannabis-derived compounds and cannabinoid-based interventions used in dermatology.
It included 11 randomized controlled trials, three quasi-experimental studies and three observational studies, covering 3,359 participants.
The interventions were not all the same.
They included formulations containing CBD as well as other cannabinoid-related compounds and cannabis extracts.
Researchers found a modest reduction in itching.
However, there were no statistically significant improvements for several other outcomes, including:
- skin dryness
- quality of life
- atopic-dermatitis disease scores
- transepidermal water loss.
That means the finding should not be simplified to:
“CBD treats eczema.”
The research covers different compounds and formulations, and the improvement in itching does not establish that every CBD oil or balm produces that result.
Does CBD Reduce Eczema Itching?
Itching is currently one of the more interesting areas of cannabinoid dermatology research.
The 2025 meta-analysis found a modest overall reduction in pruritus.
But there are two important limitations.
First, the interventions were not all ordinary CBD isolate products.
Second, an improvement in itching is not the same thing as proving that eczema itself has been treated or that the underlying inflammatory disease process has improved.
We therefore should not describe Valley CBD products as anti-itch treatments.
Does CBD Reduce Eczema Inflammation?
CBD affects inflammatory pathways in laboratory and animal research.
That helps explain why inflammation is one of the most commonly researched areas surrounding cannabidiol.
But human evidence does not currently establish retail CBD oil as an eczema anti-inflammatory treatment.
Our separate CBD and Inflammation UK guide examines the wider inflammation evidence and explains why laboratory mechanisms should not be converted directly into consumer health claims.
What About Topical CBD?
Topical CBD research is particularly relevant because eczema affects the skin.
However, topical formulations vary enormously.
A systematic review of topical and transdermal CBD trials identified only a small number of eligible human studies. The researchers reported substantial differences in formulations, doses, study methods and outcomes, as well as important risks of bias.
They specifically warned against assuming that the result from one CBD formulation applies to every other topical CBD product.
Read the topical CBD systematic review on PubMed.
This is particularly important for retailers.
A study involving a specially formulated CBD cream does not establish that an unrelated CBD balm will have the same clinical effect.
Is CBD Balm Proven to Help Eczema?
No CBD balm should be described as a proven eczema treatment without appropriate evidence for that specific product and the necessary regulatory status.
Valley CBD sells a topical CBD balm, but we should keep its measurable product characteristics separate from medical claims.
We can accurately describe its ingredients, CBD concentration, jar size and the fact that it uses CBD isolate.
We should not say it:
- treats eczema
- reduces eczema inflammation
- stops itching
- prevents flare-ups
- repairs eczema-damaged skin.
Those would go beyond the evidence we have for the product.
Is CBD Oil Better Than CBD Balm for Eczema?
There is no good clinical evidence establishing that ordinary oral CBD oil is superior to topical CBD for eczema, or vice versa.
They are also very different product formats.
Research using a topical preparation cannot automatically be used to support an oral CBD oil, and oral studies cannot automatically establish what happens when CBD is placed on the skin.
This article therefore should not recommend a combined “CBD oil plus balm” eczema routine.
Is High-Strength CBD Better for Eczema?
There is no good clinical evidence showing that a high-concentration retail CBD oil or balm treats eczema more effectively simply because it contains more CBD.
CBD concentration tells you how much CBD is present.
It does not tell you that the product has greater medical effectiveness.
A 40% CBD oil should therefore not be described as a stronger eczema treatment than a 10% oil.
Similarly, a higher-milligram balm should not automatically be described as better for eczema.
Is CBD Isolate Better for Sensitive or Eczema-Prone Skin?
There is no clinical evidence establishing CBD isolate as the best CBD extract for eczema or sensitive skin.
Isolate describes the cannabinoid composition of a product.
That does not prove it is:
- hypoallergenic
- safer for eczema
- less likely to cause a reaction
- more effective against itching
- more effective against inflammation.
The old article said that other hemp oils contain plant material capable of triggering sensitivities and that Valley CBD isolate was the safest option.
That wording should disappear completely.
People can react to many different cosmetic or topical ingredients, and individual skin sensitivity cannot be predicted simply from whether a CBD product uses isolate.
What About Stress and Eczema?
Stress can be associated with worsening eczema symptoms in some people.
However, that does not establish CBD as a treatment for stress-related eczema flare-ups.
Our article should not make a chain of claims such as:
CBD reduces stress → stress causes eczema → CBD therefore prevents eczema flare-ups.
Each of those steps would require appropriate clinical evidence.
What Does the NHS Recommend for Eczema?
The NHS identifies established eczema-management options including:
- emollients
- topical corticosteroids
- additional treatments when needed
- medical assessment where eczema is more severe.
CBD is not listed as a standard eczema treatment.
Someone with persistent, severe, infected or otherwise concerning eczema should seek appropriate medical advice rather than replacing established treatment with a CBD product.
What Do UK CBD Regulations Mean for Eczema Claims?
CBD products can fall under different regulatory frameworks depending on how they are supplied and promoted.
For CBD foods, including orally consumed CBD oils, the Food Standards Agency states that CBD foods currently have no authorised health claims and that claims that CBD foods treat illness are not permitted.
For healthy adults consuming CBD foods, the FSA currently advises a maximum total intake of 10mg CBD per day. People taking medication or with underlying health conditions are advised to avoid consuming CBD unless under medical direction. Read current FSA guidance.
That 10mg figure relates to CBD foods and oral consumption. It should not be presented as a topical-balm dose.
For products applied to the skin, the regulatory position is different, but medicinal claims remain highly important.
The MHRA's current CBD guidance says products intended mainly for cosmetic use must meet cosmetic-product requirements, and claims implying medicinal effects can bring a product within medicines regulation.
The MHRA also specifically warns that claims about CBD modifying, stimulating or enhancing the endocannabinoid system may, depending on context, be regarded as medicinal claims. Read MHRA Guidance Note 8.
That is another reason our eczema page should explain research without promising a treatment effect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can CBD help eczema?
CBD and other cannabinoids are being studied in dermatology, but current human evidence does not establish ordinary retail CBD oil or CBD balm as an eczema treatment.
Does CBD stop eczema itching?
A 2025 meta-analysis found a modest reduction in itching across cannabinoid interventions, but the studies involved different compounds and formulations. This does not prove that every CBD product relieves eczema itching.
Does CBD reduce eczema inflammation?
Laboratory research gives scientists reasons to investigate this question, but human evidence does not establish retail CBD as a treatment for the underlying inflammation of eczema.
Can I use CBD balm on eczema?
A person with eczema should consider the complete ingredient list and obtain appropriate healthcare advice where necessary. We should not describe Valley CBD balm as an eczema treatment.
Is CBD isolate better for eczema?
There is no clinical evidence establishing CBD isolate as superior for treating eczema.
Is stronger CBD better for eczema?
No good evidence shows that a higher CBD concentration is more effective against eczema simply because the product is stronger.
How much CBD should I take for eczema?
There is no established retail CBD treatment dose for eczema.
For orally consumed CBD foods, the FSA advises healthy adults not to exceed 10mg CBD per day, but this is consumer-safety guidance, not an eczema treatment dose. People with underlying health conditions or taking medication are advised to avoid consuming CBD unless under medical direction.
Can CBD replace eczema medication?
No. CBD products should not replace prescribed or recommended eczema treatment.
The Bottom Line
CBD and other cannabinoids are legitimate subjects of dermatology research.
The most recent large review found a modest improvement in itching, which is scientifically interesting.
But it did not find significant improvements in atopic-dermatitis disease scores, skin dryness or quality of life, and the interventions studied were varied.
Topical-CBD research also uses very different formulations, making it unsafe to assume that findings from one preparation apply to another.
So the evidence supports saying:
Cannabinoids continue to be investigated for itching, eczema and other dermatological conditions.
It does not support saying:
Valley CBD oil or balm treats eczema, prevents flare-ups or reduces eczema inflammation.
This article is for general educational information only and is not medical advice. Valley CBD products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.