Medical cannabis, CBD, and hemp creams for itchy skin: eczema and psoriasis

Much of the emerging eczema research showed that most patients' quality of life was heavily impacted due to the condition and its associated symptoms.

The same can be said for Psoriasis, which is an autoimmune disease that causes skin cells to multiply up to 10 times faster than normal. This causes the skin to build up into bumpy red, purple, or violet patches. These patches are generally covered with white or grey ‘scales’ and can be itchy and painful. Patches normally appear on the elbows, knees, scalp, and lower back, but can show up anywhere on the body. Psoriasis is estimated to affect between 1.3% and 2.2% of the UK population. 

And on top of the obvious physical toll, both eczema and psoriasis can have a hefty negative impact on mental health. 

So, can medical cannabis, CBD, and hemp cream options offer eczema and psoriasis patients a chance at symptom relief?

Why hemp and CBD creams are used for eczema and psoriasis

Hemp cream is a moisturising product that’s designed to treat skin conditions, including dry skin, eczema, and psoriasis. It’s made from the hemp plant, a cousin of cannabis, also a part of the Cannabis sativa L. genus. However, unlike legal UK medical cannabis options, hemp-based products can only legally contain a maximum of 1 mg of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) per container, the principal intoxicating constituent of cannabis. 

Are CBD and hemp cream the same thing? 

Not exactly…

Although the terms are used somewhat interchangeably, they usually refer to two different base ingredient options. 

What is hemp cream used for?

Hemp cream is made using the oil of hemp seeds, which is pumped full of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, vitamin E, and other moisturising/anti-inflammatory properties which support barrier repair and skin health.

Hemp seed oil-based creams will usually contain 0% CBD and THC, as the seeds do not produce either cannabinoid. 

But hemp creams do offer a gentle, moisturising base that many people with eczema, psoriasis, or dry, itchy skin are starting to implement either alongside or as a replacement to steroid creams (which come with some quite alarming side effects, especially when used consistently for long periods).

Hemp creams are totally non-psychoactive, fully legal in the UK, and a great option for sensitive, dry, itchy skin. While they may not offer the same range of therapeutic properties as some of the CBD cream options available, they are a solid option for anyone looking a natural treatment option to calm the surface before turning to more active treatments.

How CBD cream interacts with the skin’s endocannabinoid system

CBD creams, as the label gives away, can contain cannabidiol. CBD is one of the two ‘major’ cannabinoids produced by Cannabis sativa L. plants. While they are also hemp based, they are made using the whole hemp plant, which does produce cannabinoids - specifically, CBD (with low levels of THC).

So, the big difference between CBD and hemp cream options is that inclusion of CBD. But what does that actually mean for skin health?

CBD has the ability to interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), a complex signalling network that helps regulate inflammation, immune responses and skin-cell regeneration. The skin contains high concentrations of the CB2 receptors, which play a large role in regulating local inflammation and immune activity on the skin’s surface.

When CBD creams for psoriasis, eczema, or itchy skin is applied topically, the CBD binds to these CB2 receptors and modulates the release of inflammatory messengers, particularly cytokines that contribute to flare-ups in conditions like eczema and psoriasis. It also helps preserve the body’s naturally produced endocannabinoids by inhibiting the enzymes that normally break them down. That means longer-lasting support for homeostasis, or balance, across the skin barrier.

And like hemp cream options, CBD cream will not cause any psychoactive response. While CBD can affect mood when inhaled or taken orally, it is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid, and when applied to the skin, it doesn't cross into the bloodstream in significant amounts.

All over-the-counter CBD products in the UK must be made from hemp plants that produce less than 0.2% THC. UK medical cannabis options with higher levels of THC are available, but must be prescribed by a GMS-registered specialist doctor.

To read more about all things CBD, check out CBD Dosage Guide UK: How much to take, how it works, and health benefits

The current research on medical cannabis, CBD, and hemp cream options for eczema, psoriasis, and itchy skin

We have touched briefly on how these cream options help support healthy skin above, but let’s have a look at what the research on CBD, medical cannabis, and hemp seed oil for psoriasis and eczema shows:

A 2019 study found that patients with either psoriasis or eczema (and scaring caused by their skin condition) who applied topical CBD cream twice a day for two months saw significant improvements in their symptoms. The results section of the study state that “topical treatment with CBD-enriched ointment significantly improved the skin parameters, the symptoms and also the PASI index score. No irritant or allergic reactions were documented during the period of treatment.”

A 2020 small scale study appeared to confirm previous findings, with more than half of the participants who used a topical CBD cream for eczema reporting their symptoms had improved by 60%.

A 2022 randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial in Thailand was set up to look at the effectiveness of a 2.5% CBD cream for psoriasis patients. The 51 participants with mild plaque-type psoriasis applied the cream twice daily for 12 weeks, with the results showing significant improvements in Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) scores when compared to the placebo group, with the authors stating “Our results indicated a trend of favorable response in the treatment with CBD, which has emerged as a therapeutic option for psoriasis”.

Another 2022 paper, titled “Topical cannabidiol (CBD) in skin pathology – A comprehensive review and prospects for new therapeutic opportunities” looked more generally at the currently available research into the effectiveness of CBD in treating a range of skin issues. The review found that topical CBD application has been found to have anti-inflammatory, anti-itching, analgesic, and wound healing effects on the skin. The paper also highlights the potential of CBD for eczema and psoriasis, along with a range of other dermatology issues.

A more recent scoping review from 2024, which included data from 46 previous papers and aimed to collate CBD’s pharmacological potential for skin issues, found that:

• A 3% hemp seed oil extract cream caused visible skin redness to drop within 48 hours, and sebum levels declined sharply.
• Patients using CBD creams for 3 months saw measurable improvements in skin surface quality, with markers of oxidative stress falling and hydration scores rising.
• In a smaller eczema-focused study, all participants who used topical CBD for two weeks reported reductions in itch, scaliness, and dry skin. Some patients moved from the severe to mild range of symptomatic impact, and others found that the CBD cream helped them come to a point where their symptoms totally disappeared. 

Topical CBD and hemp seed oil vs steroid creams

All treatment options available should be considered when dealing with chronic inflammatory skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis. Corticosteroid creams have long been the standard for reducing redness, itching, and swelling, but prolonged use can thin the skin and increase the risk of irritation or rebound flare-ups once treatment stops.

Hemp seed oil and CBD creams take a different approach. Rather than shutting down inflammation completely, they support the skin’s natural balance by interacting with the endocannabinoid system and replenishing the lipid barrier. This can help maintain moisture, reduce irritation, and support recovery without the structural side effects linked to steroids.

Can CBD or hemp seed oil creams help with localised pain relief for eczema and psoriasis?

Although both CBD and hemp seed oil-based creams do help control the symptoms of eczema and psoriasis, they aren’t typically strong enough to relieve more intense, localised pain. That is where legal UK medical cannabis options with THC come into their own.

CBD oil vs medical cannabis oil is underdiscussed, but a very important distinction to dive further into…

Medical cannabis with THC can effectively relieve pain 

THC interacts with the endocannabinoid system much more directly than CBD. It binds very strongly with CB1 receptors, which are concentrated in the central and peripheral nervous systems and regulate how we perceive pain. This strong interaction is the reason why THC can produce a “high,” but also why it has so many potential therapeutic applications. 

When applied topically, THC does not enter the bloodstream in significant amounts, so it won’t cause intoxication, but can still interact with the CB! Receptors in the skin nerve endings and immune cells. In cases of cracked, inflamed, or raw skin (often seen during eczema or psoriasis flares), medical cannabis creams containing THC may help reduce that sharp, stinging pain. 

If stronger levels of pain relief are needed, other medical cannabis options may also help. 

Vaporised medical cannabis offers rapid pain relief

The research is clear here: Vaporised THC offers rapid pain relief, and it doesn't need to be a particularly strong THC concentration. 

A groundbreaking 2024 randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial tested vaporised cannabis flower in patients with acute migraine. While not a skin condition, the study provides some of the clearest data yet on how THC and CBD interact to manage pain quickly and effectively.

Ninety-two participants were treated across four different cannabinoid concentrations: 6% THC-dominant, 11% CBD-dominant, a combination of 6% THC and 11% CBD, and cannabinoid free placebo. The combination group showed statistically significant improvements across several key measures:

• Pain relief at 2 hours: 67.2% vs 46.6% with placebo
• Pain freedom at 2 hours: 34.5% vs 15.5% with placebo
• Freedom from most bothersome symptom: 60.3% vs 34.5%
• 24-hour sustained pain freedom: 28.0% vs 10.7%
• 48-hour symptom freedom: maintained in a significant portion of patients

A 2024 systematic review focusing on medical cannabis for chronic pain adds further weight to these findings. 

• Across four studies using a 22.4% THC vape, patients experienced rapid, noticeable reductions in pain intensity shortly after inhalation. 
• These effects typically lasted around 90 minutes. 
• While 22.4% THC is much stronger than the above study, low-dose inhalation was tested (0.5 mg to 1 mg THC) did not result in cognitive side effects while still offering pain relief.
• Processing speed, memory, and attention were all found to be the same as baseline when measured using validated cognitive assessments.

FAQs on CBD, hemp, and medical cannabis creams for eczema, psoriasis, and itchy skin

Can CBD or hemp oil help eczema, psoriasis and itchy skin?

Yes, CBD and hemp oil can both offer effective symptom control for eczema and psoriasis by reducing inflammation and irritation, and helping rehydrate the skin. Hemp oil’s high levels of omega fatty acids help restore the skin barrier, and CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system to calm overactive immune responses.

Can medical cannabis help eczema or psoriasis?

Prescribed UK medical cannabis products can legally contain both CBD and THC, which may help control inflammation, itching, and pain in eczema or psoriasis. THC interacts more strongly with pain receptors, while CBD balances immune activity.

What’s the best cream for eczema and itchy skin?

There isn’t a single best cream for everyone. For mild dryness or itch, hemp seed oil or natural hemp creams can provide moisture and barrier repair. For persistent inflammation, CBD-enriched creams may offer greater relief. Those with chronic or severe symptoms, including ongoing chronic pain, may find the best results with prescribed medical cannabis treatment options.

How can patients access UK medical cannabis, CBD, and hemp creams for eczema and psoriasis?

For anyone having to deal with incessantly itchy skin, especially if it caused by inflammatory skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema, finding the right treatment option depends on the severity of the full range of symptoms, and how your body responds over the first few days or weeks of treatment. 

Both hemp seed oil and CBD based creams are readily available over-the-counter and may be the perfect starting point for mild irritation, dryness, or sporadic flare-ups, but there is one big thing to keep front of mind. 

Both hemp and CBD products are produced with far less regulatory oversight than prescribed medical cannabis treatment options, which sit in a completely different category.

UK medical cannabis is regulated under strict Home Office and MHRA frameworks, ensuring that every product is laboratory-tested, pharmaceutical-grade, and prescribed only under the supervision of a GMC-registered specialist. This means far more precise dosage control, cannabinoid balance (and a much wider range of cannabinoid ratio options), and a higher level of overall quality control. 

If you’re wondering whether medical cannabis could be suitable for managing your eczema or psoriasis, try Releaf’s medical cannabis eligibility checker. It’s free, takes less than 20 seconds, and gives you a clear idea of whether you might qualify for treatment in the UK.

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