Cannabinoids and Eczema: Promising Science

There is scientific interest in cannabinoids as potential treatments for inflammatory skin conditions, including eczema—but the evidence is not yet strong enough to establish medical cannabis as a proven eczema therapy.

Much of the research involves topical cannabidiol (CBD), a non-intoxicating compound found in cannabis, rather than medical cannabis in the broader sense. CBD is different from tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the compound primarily responsible for cannabis’s psychoactive effects. Researchers are studying how these compounds interact with the endocannabinoid system in the skin, which helps regulate inflammation, immune activity, pain, itch, and the skin barrier.

What the research shows

A 2021 observational study evaluated a topical CBD gel in people with self-reported atopic dermatitis. Among the 16 participants who completed the study, eczema symptom scores and quality-of-life measures improved after two weeks. However, the study had no control group, relied partly on patient-reported outcomes, and was too small to determine whether CBD itself caused the improvement. The study is available through PubMed.

Other studies have examined related compounds, including palmitoylethanolamide and hemp-derived preparations, for itching, dryness, and inflammatory skin disease. Results have been variable, and some research has involved conditions other than atopic dermatitis. This makes it difficult to determine whether cannabinoids provide benefits beyond those of moisturizers or other ingredients in a topical formulation.

A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis of cannabinoid treatments in dermatology found a modest reduction in itching overall. It did not find statistically significant improvements in eczema-specific disease scores, skin dryness, redness, quality of life, or transepidermal water loss. The review included studies of several different cannabinoid products and dermatologic conditions, so its findings do not establish that CBD is an effective treatment for eczema specifically.

Why nanotechnology is being studied

Cannabinoids create several formulation challenges. They are poorly soluble in water, can be unstable, and may have limited ability to penetrate the skin. These properties can make it difficult to deliver a consistent amount of an active ingredient to the intended site.

In their 2021 review, Adusumilli, Hazuka, and Friedman described how nanotechnology might address some of these problems. Their article, “Nanotechnology to Deliver Cannabinoids in Dermatology,” discusses experimental delivery systems including:

• Liposomes, which use lipid-based vesicles to carry active compounds;
• Solid lipid nanoparticles, which may improve stability and allow controlled release;
• Nanoemulsions, which can help disperse poorly water-soluble substances;
• Polymeric nanoparticles, which may support sustained or targeted delivery; and
• Dendrimers, highly branched structures that can carry drug molecules.

These systems could potentially improve the stability, solubility, and distribution of cannabinoids in topical products. They might also help limit systemic exposure, although that benefit has not been established for commercially available CBD creams or lotions.

Important limitations

The nanotechnology review was a review of existing research and proposed future applications—not a clinical trial demonstrating that a nanoformulated cannabinoid can safely and effectively treat eczema. Much of the supporting evidence comes from laboratory, animal, or early-stage human research. Well-designed randomized trials are still needed to determine the appropriate cannabinoid, dose, formulation, treatment duration, and patient population.

Consumers should also be cautious about assuming that a product labeled “CBD” or “medical cannabis” has been tested as an eczema medicine. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration notes that most CBD products have not been evaluated for effectiveness, proper dosing, drug interactions, or long-term safety. Product quality can vary, and some products may contain inaccurate amounts of CBD, THC, or contaminants.

For now, cannabinoids may be best viewed as an area of investigation rather than a replacement for established eczema care. The American Academy of Dermatology’s atopic dermatitis guidelines recommend evidence-supported treatments such as moisturizers, topical corticosteroids, topical calcineurin inhibitors, and selected topical PDE-4 or JAK inhibitors. Anyone considering a cannabinoid product—particularly a child, pregnant or breastfeeding person, or someone taking other medications—should discuss it with a healthcare professional and avoid delaying proven treatment.