Since legalization, we’ve been learning more about some of the benefits of the cannabis plant – and it’s popping up in all kinds of unexpected products! One industry that has surprisingly felt the effects of the hemp and cannabis industries’ astounding growth has been cosmetics.

In particular, the skin cream industry has embraced some of the key ingredients that cannabis and hemp have to offer. From hemp seed oil to CBD and THC, let’s learn the ins and outs of cannabis-infused skincare.

If it doesn’t explain that CBD is the non-psychoactive component of the plant (not stoned) versus THC which is ( mucho stoned), can it be considered a cannabis article? Glad we cleared that up.

It’s important to differentiate between the two, not only to avoid getting stoned, but also to make sure the product is going to be the most effective for the desired application. Here is a breakdown of the noted effects of each main component of the hemp and cannabis plants.

This comes from the hemp plant (obviously) so, again, it will not get you stoned. Hemp oil usually contains an element of CBD as well as omega-6 and omega-3 fats which are the good, unsaturated kind. You can use this to help with skin issues like acne as it can reduce the production of sebum. Too much sebum – an oil your body produces naturally – can cause acne.

CBD has numerous benefits when applied to the skin topically. Athletes favor CBD for its anti-inflammatory properties and it can help moisturize the skin and regulate sebum production. This makes it a potent anti-aging topical ingredient with medicinal properties.

While hemp oil can contain CBD, it gets its very own category because not all CBD is the same. Meet the spectrum. Full Spectrum CBD contains all of the elements of the plant from which it came – including a bit of THC. And yes, that includes a little bit of THC, but only a small amount. You won’t get high from Full Spectrum CBD!

A trace amount of THC alongside the other hundred-odd cannabinoids present assists in the absorption and potency of the CBD. This is known as the entourage effect and is not to be confused with mixing equal parts THC and CBD. 

Full-spectrum CBD has only a trace amount, while CBD Isolate is as the name would imply, isolated CBD which has undergone an extraction process. CBD Isolate is still very effective in all of its topical applications, but with a more subtle ‘feel’.

Some skincare products have begun to blur the line between medicine and recreation with products that have a more relaxing effect. While these products aren’t able to get the user ‘stoned’ like eating an edible or smoking a joint, they may have users wondering if they got a small buzz. It’s closer to a terpene-driven aromatherapy kind of effect than a true THC high one would get from ingesting the plant.

Most CBD products won’t leave you feeling high unless they are paired with an equal or greater amount of THC. With that being said, you can experience a sedative effect if you use a large amount. CBD, like other cannabinoids, takes time to build in the body, so it can take a few weeks of using CBD products before the benefits really start to take shape.

Of course, THC-infused products, like lip balms, are out there and do have the potential to cause a buzz. As with any recreational cannabis product – it will affect everybody differently. Start low and go slow, especially if you’re not already well-acquainted with your body’s reaction to cannabis.

Let’s address the elephant in the room – is it legal? The answer is, it depends. CBD is federally legal in all 50 States, providing it is 0.3% or less THC and comes from industrial hemp. Some states do have laws against it, however. The government’s position on CBD is murky – while it is technically still classified alongside THC, they don’t enforce it with the same intensity.

Until the country moves in the same direction at the state and federal levels, there will remain contradictions and confusion about the legality of cannabis and CBD. Luckily, the internet has made it very easy to purchase all kinds of cannabis-infused topics – let’s have a look at a few that are out there:

This body wax will set customers back between $35 – $77. It contains high analgesic properties to help with pain and inflammation. Anti-inflammation and relaxation are the primary uses for this product.

As the name says – it is a deep moisture oil that packs a hydrating punch alongside the soothing qualities of CBD. You can purchase it with just hemp oil or its CBD-infused duplicate, depending on preference and intended use. This hydrating oil costs $58 online and donates $1 per bottle to legalization efforts.

This product allows users to help soothe their skin while they snooze and helps reduce the appearance of scar tissue. This neat little product costs $55 online.

Incorporating cannabis-infused skincare into someone’s current routine is really just as easy as substituting the product or adding it to one’s normal regime. It’s generally best to stick with one moisturizing product at a time, but you can mix and match cannabis-infused products with your favorite skincare products. 

From treating conditions like emphysema and acne to treating yourself at the end of a long day, cannabis and hemp are taking the world of skincare by storm. From athletes looking for pain and inflammation relief to anybody wanting to slow the signs of aging – hemp- and cannabis-infused topicals provide a new solution.

La entrada Cannabis and Skincare se publicó primero en Ecomeds.