The surprising benefits of cannabis beauty products

As cannabis gradually becomes legalized, consumers are discovering (or rediscovering) uses that defy stoner clichés: the beauty products to cannabis.

«Cannabis, thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, is perfect for the skin,» says Wendy Zaharko, a physician specializing in cannabis issues in Aspen, Colorado, and notes the importance of cannabis homeostasis. endocannabinoid system.

«The cannabis is an antioxidant, It can help slow skin aging. It's rich in skin-health supplements such as potassium, magnesium, iron and zinc, which are beneficial in the fight against itching, acne and other skin conditions,» confirms Michele Green, dermatologist in New York.

To take advantage of these benefits, cosmetics companies are adding cannabis to traditional beauty products such as ointments, lotions and body oils.

New product ranges

Molly Peckler, creator of Highly Devoted, a cannabic life coaching company (yes, there is such a thing), swears by her hemp products to treat her skin problems. «I started having hormonal acne around the age of 30, and I turned to hemp products to treat it. Uncle Harry's Natural Products. Unlike other treatments, their hemp balm doesn't irritate my skin or dry it out too much. From now on, as soon as I feel a pimple coming on, I apply the balm rather than salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.»

Like Uncle Harry's products, most beauty products incorporate industrial hemp rather than cannabis. The Body Shop for example, has developed a range of hemp products, as has Marley Natural.

The brand Moon Rore, which offers hair oils, body butter and lip treatments, is differentiating itself by adding CBD oil extracted from hemp. «I've noticed that there's a lot of hemp oil out there, but not many people use CBD oil.’CBD oil »says Maggie Murphy, creator of Moon Rore.

If beauty product manufacturers want their products to be accessible to as many people as possible, they must restrict themselves to industrial hemp, which is devoid of THC (or very low levels). While CBD is indeed present in hemp, hemp oils contain fewer cannabinoids than cannabis (THC, CBN or CBG), and incorporate fewer terpenes. CBD is responsible for anti-inflammatory effects, an important role in skin care, but the effect is multiplied if it is in the presence of other cannabinoids, due to the entourage effect.

Some companies, such as Cannabis Basics or Kush Creams have created hemp and cannabis ranges. The hemp version is available everywhere, and the THC version in states where it is legal.

THC creams do not, however, have the effects of a joint. The components of the cream are fixed to the CB2 receptors but do not enter the bloodstream. The therapeutic effect is thus guaranteed, without making high. When the high the equation, cannabis is transformed from a drug into a health-care product. with multiple benefits.