Cannabis and Skincare: Exploring Topical Applications

We’ll start this article with a brief conversation about Compound Article Growth Rates (CAGR), which measure the rate of growth of a market, business, or investment over a given period.

That might not sound very cannabis-related—but bear with us because we’re referencing the CAGR of cannabis-infused beauty products. More to the point, experts expect cannabis-infused beauty products to grow 24.9% when you measure from 2020 to 2031 [1].

This article isn’t for investors. It’s for you, cannabis enthusiasts, who more directly engage with the fantastic products we supply at Phasal. 

However, we’ve referenced market growth to emphasize a crucial point—cannabis-infused beauty products, like topical skincare items, are growing in popularity. Exponentially so.

In other words, cannabis isn’t only for smoking, eating, drinking, or vaping. It’s also got a place in the world of skincare and beauty, and cannabis enthusiasts are just beginning to learn about the many benefits their favorite plant offers as a topical.

Is cannabis a miracle ingredient in your beauty routine? Well, we’d argue there’s no miracle in skincare. It comes down to what works for you.

Cannabis-infused skincare and beauty products offer consumers an alternative to more traditional items, giving them more options to fine-tune their various routines and regimens.

Below, we’ll dig into the world of cannabis and skincare and why it could be a game-changer in the beauty industry.

How do Cannabis Topicals Work?

The difference between regular topical skincare products and THC-induced topicals is that the latter interacts with your endocannabinoid system (ECS) [2]. 

We’ll take this moment to point out that the ECS controls and regulates several bodily functions, interacting with our central nervous systems [3]. 

Your ECS takes on a role in your body from top to bottom, including every patch of skin. Cannabis-infused topicals can influence your skin’s ECS receptors, creating a positive chain reaction and influencing how your skin appears and how your body feels. 

We could understand if you were a bit concerned about cannabis-infused topicals because of their THC content. It’s one thing to smoke, vape, or eat THC. It’s an entirely different story for it to seep into your pores.

Fortunately, you don’t have to worry about getting ‘high’ off your gourd when applying cannabis-infused topicals and skincare products.  Because these products aren’t psychoactive—they simply provide localized relief without any inebriating effects at play. 

Now, say that you wanted the psychoactive effects of cannabis, and you’re a little disappointed to hear topicals don’t possess that ability. Guess what—there are still abundant flower, concentrates, and ingestibles to choose from that give you the desired psychoactive response.

Benefits of Cannabis Topicals for Skincare

Scientific research suggests that skincare experts have recommended compounds derived from the cannabis plant to treat skin diseases and disorders, such as [4]:

• Acne.
• Psoriasis (and the resulting scars).
• Dry skin.
• Pruritus (including neuropathic-related).

We’ve mentioned THC (cannabis’s psychoactive component) as a primary cannabinoid that’s infused into skincare products, but it’s not alone. Cannabidiol (CBD) is frequently present in cannabis-infused topicals.

CBD is the non-psychoactive component of cannabis and is primarily therapeutic in nature. It possesses antioxidants that help counteract aging signs and free-radical damage, diminishing the effects of inflammation, skin dullness, redness, and wrinkles [5].

THC-infused topicals provide the same benefits but interact with your ECS differently. The results virtually mirror one another but with differing ingredients.

Types of Cannabis Topicals

• Infused creams and lotions offer seamless application. Makers design these products to yield smooth, silky skin.
• Infused balms and salves possess a higher ingredient concentration than lotions. Thus, they’re thicker than many lotions, providing more vigorous, impactful effects.
• Infused oils can be applied for skin hydration, body relaxation, or muscle relief. While these might look similar to tinctures, they aren’t the same. Cannabis-infused topical oils are meant solely to be applied to the skin.

• Patches are cannabis-infused adhesive squares and are released slowly over time for long-lasting and subtle application. This is for more broad, transdermal medicinal purposes, but the slow release ensures you won’t experience any psychoactive effects. [6].
• Infused bath soaks are exactly as they sound. They melt your body during a bath, offering the utmost relaxation and soothing effects. They’re jam-packed with terpenes and essential oils for a dose of aromatherapy.
• Infused roll-on products are often mixed with aloe and menthol. They’re primarily intended for on-the-go muscle tension relief and offer seamless application.

Popular Cannabis Topical Ingredients

We’ve already discussed CBD and THC as primary ingredients in cannabis-infused topicals, but there’s more to these skincare and beauty products than cannabinoids.

Essential oils are the most crucial ingredient in cannabis topicals outside of cannabinoids. 

While research remains ongoing, many believe essential oils have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and soothing properties that help with multiple skin-related issues. Most advocates swear by essential oils for helping with skin that’s either acne-prone, oily, dry, or a combination of all three [7].

Cannabis topicals also contain botanical extracts obtained from plants, which boast various skincare benefits. Many botanical extracts possess antioxidant properties, potentially combatting toxins and offsetting skin discoloration [8].

Signs of Good Skincare Products

Always read the label before purchasing any skincare product to ensure it works for you. For one, you might have allergies, and an ingredient could cause you issues, so it’s wise to double-check to avoid problems.

Beyond that, you’ll also want to consider other needs you might have. For instance, it could make more sense to purchase a CBD-based topical than one with THC, depending on your symptoms or long-term skincare goals.

Furthermore, seek out topicals with known quality ingredients, such as [9]:

• Hyaluronic acid.
• Dimethicone.
• Urea.
• Lanolin.
• Petrolatum.
• Glycerin.

Be Mindful Of Potential Issues

Cannabis topicals are like any other skincare product despite the fact they contain THC or CBD and can offer a more potent solution to skin problems. Therefore, don’t accept them as a magic bullet; understand that certain ingredients might not agree with your skin. Plus, always be aware and conscious of ingredients—by reading labels—to ensure you won’t exacerbate a pre-existing issue.

With cannabis topicals, there is also the matter of the cannabinoid ingredients like THC and CBD, presenting potential allergic reactions that might come into play, such as [10]:

• Skin inflammation.
• Blisters.
• Rashes.
• Hives.
• General itchiness.

Beyond avoiding ingredients to which you might be allergic, here’s how to apply cannabis topicals safely [11]:

• Clean the area of application before applying any topical cream, balm, or lotion.
• Wash your hands after applying because the ingredients (e.g., mint, citrus, or pepper) won’t feel pleasing on your eyes or nostrils.
• Accept that miracles won’t happen. While cannabis has shown help with skincare, it might not be the ideal solution for you. Even if it doesn’t work immediately, don’t give up and keep seeking solutions to help with your skin problems. 

Conclusion: It’s Time To Incorporate Cannabis Topicals Into Your Skincare Routine

Cannabis and skincare are a match made in heaven, and the popularity of related products will continue to grow over the next decade. 

Why not find out what the buzz is all about? Why not give cannabis topicals a chance to see what they can do for your skin?

On the above note, Phasal carries a wide range of topicals, from lotions to balms and salves, that our customers can’t stop raving about. Peruse our online menu to see our cannabis-infused skincare products for yourself, or drop by our store to learn about them in person. 

Sources

1. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/cannabis-infused-beauty-products-market-1azlc/ 
2. https://www.thetravelagency.co/how-thc-lotion-works/#:~:text=THC%20topicals%20work%20by%20interacting,ECS%20receptors%20in%20your%20skin. 
3. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/the-endocannabinoid-system-essential-and-mysterious-202108112569 
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10386449/#:~:text=Consequently%2C%20Cannabis%20plant%2Dderived%20compounds,53%5D%3B%20and%20mycosis%20fungoides 
5. https://www.paulaschoice-eu.com/cbd-skincare-what-is-it-and-what-are-the-benefits#:~:text=The%20antioxidants%20in%20CBD%20are,and%20red%2Dcoloured%20skin%20tone.
6. https://www.localroots.cc/the-ultimate-guide-to-thc-transdermal-patches#:~:text=get%20you%20high%3F-,Will%20A%20THC%20Patch%20Get%20You%20High%3F,without%20the%20intense%20psychoactive%20high.  
7. https://www.healthline.com/health/essential-oils-for-skin#:~:text=Takeaway,%2C%20and%20acne%2Dprone%20skin.
8. https://curology.com/blog/botanical-boost-the-benefits-of-plant-extracts-for-skincare/#:~:text=Botanical%20extracts%20with%20antioxidant%20properties,inhibiting%20an%20enzyme%20called%20tyrosinase. 
9. https://www.dermatologistnewyork.org/blog/tips-on-choosing-a-lotion#:~:text=Look%20for%20heavy%2Dbody%20lotions,urea%2C%20lanolin%2C%20petrolatum). 
10. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321343 
11. https://www.leafly.ca/news/cannabis-101/how-to-use-cannabis-topicals