A CBD hybrid with enhanced flexibility

Cannabidiol (CBD) is widely used in the personal care industry and is frequently employed as an additive for moisturisers and topical products. However, CBD can be difficult to incorporate into purely silicone formulations—including volatile silicones, silicone fluids and silicone gels—due its lack of solubility. The rheology and surface energy of CBD also make it difficult to spread into uniform films on the skin. To address these barriers, Gelest has expanded its Vertasil® siloxane modified natural product line to include a new CBDbased derivative. This smart molecule, Vertasil TM-CBD1, specifically addresses formulation obstacles and limitations. As a CBD hybrid fluid, Vertasil TMCBD1 has an expanded solubility profile that allows the incorporation of CBD into silicone-based products. It also provides lubricity and softness without the greasiness of natural oils. Finally, a distinctive benefit of this new technology is the ability of the CBD derivative to slowly revert back to pure CBD upon release from a silicone matrix

In 2018, hemp-derived CBD, one of many Cannabinoids present in Cannabis sativa plants, was federally legalised under the US Farm Bill. Although hemp belongs to the same family of plants as marijuana, it contains less than 0.3% THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol). Unlike THC, hemp-derived CBD lacks any psychoactive effects and does not qualify as a controlled substance. Since its legalisation, CBD has gained massive interest across the regulated medical and pharmaceutical industries, and numerous studies have shown potential benefits of CBD in treating anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, and other related conditions.1 Several studies have also shown that CBD usage can aid in suppressing inflammatory and neuropathic pain,2 and several recent publications tested Cannabinoids’ potential for treating inflammatory skin conditions3 and cutaneous scars.4 The FDA has recognised the benefits of CBD in its decision to approve the 2019 drug Epidolex®, the first CBD-based oral drug for patients with epilepsy.5 In addition to scientific industries, there has also been significant interest in CBD in the naturopathic and personal care and wellness markets. Although more investigation is needed, Medical News Today cited a study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation which reported promising results from the use of CBD in acne treatment,6 claiming reduced inflammation in sebaceous glands.7 Topical application of CBD may also reduce inflammation in psoriasis and other skin diseases. According to Grand View Research, the global CBD market was estimated at 4.6 billion USD in 2018,8 and Forbes estimated that it could reach 20 billion USD by the year 2024.9

Obstacles and technical background