Why Cannabis is the Beauty Industry’s Latest ‘It’ Ingredient
Updated: Jan. 07, 2019
As the drug moves away from being taboo, the beauty industry is taking advantage of consumer interest in the health benefits of the plant.
Are there beauty benefits to cannabis?
With the legalization of cannabis in Canada, attitudes surrounding the drug are changing, and conversations around it are becoming more normalized. However, if you’re still hesitant to light up, there may be a less intimidating way to experience cannabis: beauty products.
Currently, the majority of cannabis-infused beauty products contain Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in both cannabis and industrial hemp (the latter of which has been more widely accepted as a cosmetic ingredient for many years now). CBD has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, making it an effective treatment for inflammatory conditions such as eczema and acne. Since our skin has native receptors for cannabinoids (a group of active chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant that stimulate balance in our bodies), it allows for the extracts to be instantly and fully absorbed, making it all the more effective. (New to the world of weed? These facts will help you navigate.)
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive cannabinoid best known for giving you weed’s signature “high,” is also being used in some beauty products and researchers believe it may have even stronger therapeutic effects than CBD. Beauty products with THC may be a good option for people who don’t want to experience the psychoactive properties of the plant, as it won’t induce a high when applied topically to the skin.
Ready to experience the beauty benefits of cannabis? Here are five cannabis beauty products to try for yourself.
1. Herbivore Emerald Deep Moisture Glow Oil
Herbivore Botanicals’ journey with cannabis began when co-founder, Julia Wills, was diagnosed with cancer. “Nothing helped to ease her nausea, physical pain and improve her state of mind like cannabis,” Alex Kummerow, co-founder of Herbivore Botanicals said in a press release. Flash-forward three years, and the natural beauty brand has launched its first cannabis-infused product — a hydrating facial oil made up of cannabis sativa seed (hemp) oil, olive oil-derived squalane and soothing cannabis essential oil that’ll keep your skin naturally blissed out and radiant.
Herbivore Emerald Deep Moisture Glow Oil, $64; available at herbivorebotanicals.com.
2. Nannette de Gaspé Bain Noir Cannabis Sativa Bath Soak Treatment
This luxe bath treatment features hemp-derived cannabis sativa seed oil and helps reduce tension and enhance blood circulation to relax and soothe the body. Additionally, its meadowfoam seed oil locks in moisture and provides calming and antioxidant properties, while its poppyseed oil improves the skin’s condition and elasticity. (Don’t miss these 20 things your skin can reveal about your health.)
Nannette de Gaspé Bain Noir Cannabis Sativa Bath Soak Treatment, $325; available at Holt Renfrew and nannettedegaspe.com.
3. Milk Makeup KUSH High Volume Mascara
In a quest to create a fully vegan volumizing mascara with fibers, Milk Makeup opted for cannabis oil as opposed to the typical binding component found in mascara formulas (beeswax). The hemp-derived cannabis oil in this mascara not only fuses the mascara’s unique heart-shaped fibers onto your lashes, but also hydrates and conditions to allow for smoother application and removal. Tired of bad lashes? Don’t miss these expert-approved mascara tricks.
Milk Makeup KUSH High Volume Mascara, $29; available at Sephora.
4. I-Pekar Tissue Repair Serum Infused with CBD Oil
Created by supermodel facialist, Ildi Pekar (her clients include Miranda Kerr and Irina Shayk), this cannabis oil-infused tissue repair serum is said to rebuild your skin cells to give you nourished and glowing skin. (Get closer to your goal of glowing skin by avoiding these 6 bad beauty habits.)
I-Pekar Tissue Repair Serum Infused with CBD Oil, $198; available at ildipekar.com.
5. Herb Essentials Lip Balm
This Los Angeles-based brand engineers all its products around cannabis sativa seed oil. A fan-fave pick from the brand? The moisturizing lip balm. As cannabis sativa oil can help your lips rebuild their natural oil barrier, this lip balm prevents moisture loss and ensures your lips stay hydrated throughout the day.
Herb Essentials Lip Balm, $12; available at herbessntls.com.
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