Do Cannabis Beauty products live up to their claims?

Cannabis is a rising trend since its recent legalization. What may come as a surprise to most is the use of cannabis in the beauty industry. With its rising popularity, the beauty industry is utilizing the popularity and benefits of cannabis in many of their products. Cannabis can be found as an ingredient in various forms of beauty and skincare products. You can find CBD oil, hempseed oil or even THC in various products including, lotions, face masks, lip balm, bath bombs, mascara, etc. It has become an ongoing and ever growing trend. The use of cannabis for beauty purposes has actually been around for many many years. The use of hemp salve and cannabis in the 16th to 18th centuries was quite common. It was used as a dermatological medicine and to help with minor ailments involving the skin, such as inflammation. In this article, we will delve into the reasoning behind the use of cannabis in beauty products, why it’s being used, its benefits, and also some fun do it yourself recipes you can try at home.

The Different Forms of Cannabis Used in Beauty Products:

The Use of CBD

Many beauty brands are taking advantage of the rising popularity of cannabis to help promote their own products. Cannabis, especially CBD can actually be quite beneficial when used in beauty products. The phytocannabinoids (the cannabinoids produced in plants), topically applied to the skin, are said to help individuals dealing with different types of inflammation and/or skin damage. From different parts of the cannabis plant (stalk, seeds, flowers,etc.), CBD can easily be extracted in considerable quantities. Due to the fact that CBD is not psychoactive, unlike THC, it’s much more accessible and easier to incorporate. This helps to explain why CBD has become such a trending ingredient in many beauty products. It is also important that consumers are aware of the ingredients going into their beauty or skincare products to enable them to garner the best benefits. CBD based products are known to clinically aid the healing process of inflammation and other related conditions, including eczema and psoriasis. The quality of the CBD going into the product also has a part to play. The better the quality of the CBD, the better the results. Therefore, it is for the best, that the consumer be informed on what products they are using and what results they are trying to achieve from those products.

The Use of Hempseed Oil

Along with the use of CBD, many companies are also adding hempseed oil to their products. Hempseed oil derives from the seeds of the cannabis plant. Hempseed oil is chalked full of rich oils and omegas, that are quite beneficial when applied to the skin. Hempseed naturally contains a large quantitiy of vitamin E. Thus, helping with maintaining moisture in the skin. Hemp derivatives are able to be used in cosmetic products as long as it does not contain more than 10 micro grams of THC. However, hempseed oil differs from the, most commonly used, CBD. Products containing hempseed oil lack the same phytocannaboids that are found in CBD. Hempseed oil contains a lesser amount of cannabinoids than that found in CBD. Although, hempseed oil definitely helps in the maintenance of moisture in the skin, it does not produce the same results as the products made with CBD. If suffering from dry skin, one might choose a product containing hempseed oil, whereas someone suffering from acne or bloated skin, may choose a CBD based product.

The Use of THC

Along with the use of CBD and hempseed oil, THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is also making its mark in the beauty industry. THC is most commonly known for giving the consumer a psychoactive effect, but it is now being used topically, in skincare. When applied to the skin it has a completely different effect than when ingested. It is believed that THC may produce similar yet stronger effects than CBD in beauty products. The THC in a beauty product helps to bind the receptors in the skin to help with the healing process. Therefore, it may be a good option for those seeking a more sufficient solution to their skincare issues.

Be Informed

Along with the growth in popularity of cannabis, one of the main reasons why it is so prominent in the beauty industry, is to due to its many benefits, especially for the skin. The main reason for its popularity being its incredible benefits when it comes to inflammation. Inflammation is one of the most common skin issue that affects many individuals. Inflammation can come in various forms, and also be the reason for various underlying skin conditions. For example, dermatitis, eczema, and even acne. Where there is inflammation, there is also pain. Consequently, it is imperative that the beauty industry seek out the best ingredients to help fight inflammation, and also amass more followers. When looking to purchase products that contain cannabis, consumers should be looking for formulas created with the complete plant. The complete cannabis plant is actually full of beauty benefits. When the cannabis plant is broken down and then put back together, it loses some of those benefits. The consumer reaps more benefits when formulas are made with cannabis that is less processed and purer. The same way it is with food. It is also helpful that the product contain a variety of cannabinoids. The cannabis plant can be concentrated into an oil or it can be used in its leaf form, as is. Whats unique about using the complete plant is its interaction with the human body. The endocannabinoid receptors in ones body reacts with the whole cannabis plant, meaning the properties of the whole plant works more effectively than isolated parts of the plant. Thus, it is recommended to seek out beauty products that contain the whole plant extract.

DIY Hemp Lotion

This is an easy step by step recipe to create your own hemp lotion at home, made with hempseed oil.

What You’ll Need:

1/3 cup of hemp seed oil

1/2 cup of cocoa or shea butter

1 teaspoon of corn starch or arrowroot powder

10-12 drops of nourishing oil (optional)

3-5 drops of essential oil (optional)

Mixing bowl

Hand mixer

Measuring utensils

A container for storing

Measuring cups and spoons

Medium mixing bowl

Hand mixer

8-ounce jar or container

Important: The shea butter and cocoa butter can be used separately or mixed together as desired. Nourishing oils may include, tea tree oil or rosehip oil. Choose oils that contain properties that are good for the skin. The corn starch or arrowroot powder is used to make the final result less greasy but it is an optional ingredient, depending on preference. Essential oils add a lovely perfume to the lotion to give it an aroma-therapeutic effect.

Step by Step Guide:

1. Put the shea or cocoa butter into your bowl and mix it until it becomes soft.

2. Add the hemp seed oil to the butter, in small amounts. Make sure to mix in between.

3. Next add the cornstarch or arrowroot powder, along with the nourishing oils and essentials oils.

4. Continue to mix the lotion until desired texture is reached.

Notes: Depending on if the final result is too thick, a bit more hemp seed oil can be added to the lotion to reach your desired thickness. You can also add a few more drops of oil if need be.

This recipe can also be used to make your own body butter instead of lotion. Simply omit the cornstarch or arrowroot powder, and add 3 tablespoons of melted beeswax. Pour the mixture into a storage container and let it set until it turns into more of the consistency of a body butter.

If unrefined hemp seed oil is being used, it is important that your hemp lotion is kept away from sunlight, as this will shorten its shelf life.

Simply apply the lotion to the skin and feel your skin getting noticeably softer.

DIY Cannabis Face Mask

This homemade cannabis face mask is full of vitamins, essential oils, and skin friendly omegas. Experience the many benefits of cannabinoids by applying this mask and letting it absorb into the skin.

What you’ll need:

1/4 cup of cannabis oil

1 avocado (ripe)

2 teaspoons of spirulina powder

Essential oil

Application brush (makeup brush or shaving brush)

Blender

Instructions:

1. Scoop out the meat from the avocado and place into the blender.
2. Add the cannabis oil into the blender.
3. Add the spirulina powder.
4. Mix all the ingredients in the blender until they are completely emulsified. The mixture should be green in color.

Before applying the face mask, it is important to open your pores by steaming your face. Opening your pores helps the nutrients from the face mask to easily penetrate the skin. You can do this by wiping your face with a warm moist cloth or leaning your face over a steaming bowl of water. Immediately after doing so, apply the face mask with a brush.

Leave on for 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water.