Why the cannabis craze is sweeping skincare

Leave your lava lamps in storage, people; CBD face products will not give you anxiety, hallucinations or the munchies. What they will take to new highs, however, is your skincare routine. We caught up with Katy Bacon, Murad’s Asia-Pacific Sales and Education Manager to get the lowdown on the leaves.

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When did marijuana go mainstream?

“The popularity of CBD has reached an all-time high and cannabis is rightly taking stage as one of nature’s most powerful ingredients. With demands from savvy consumers, skincare companies are looking to nature for ingredients to target individual’s lifestyle concerns. Taboo no more, ingredients like cannabis, CBD and hemp have found a foothold in mainstream beauty”, Katy explains.

 
What are the differences between cannabis, marijuana, hemp and CBD?

Need a little help differentiating between the categories? Katy’s here to help. “Cannabis, hemp Seed and CBD are the most buzzed about beauty ingredients and [yet] perhaps the most confusing of all,” she says. “To give you the 101: the cannabis sativa plant has two main species; hemp and marijuana. Marijuana contains high amounts of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which gives ‘weed’ its psychoactive effect,” she says. “[On the other hand], hemp is low in ‘THC’ and contains a much higher percentage of CBD. CBD (which stands for cannabidiol) is extracted from the stalks, stems, and flowers but not the seeds of the cannabis sativa plant.”

 
Is the whole thing just a fad?

Long story short: no.“It’s important to remember fad aside, CBD is clinically proven and has successfully been used for centuries both medically and holistically to provide everything from pain relief and anti-inflammation benefits through to treating skin conditions like dryness, sensitivity, eczema, psoriasis and rosacea. Oh, and it’s completely natural – no nasties here,” Katy confirms.

What will CBD do for my complexion?

“CBD is highly anti-inflammatory, one of its superpowers!” says Katy. “This powerful ingredient offers an effective calming and therapeutic benefit when topically applied to the skin (a real godsend if you suffer from inflammatory skin conditions such as acne, sensitivity, eczema, psoriasis and rosacea). It’s also rich in antioxidants which means it’s a great free-radical scavenger, which may help to counteract signs of skin ageing and can support a natural healing process.”
 

What’s hemp got to offer my skin?

“Hemp seed oil is high in essential fatty acids such as omegas 3, 6 and 9 – think of it as a superfood [for skin],'' she explains. “Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) play a key role in skin barrier and maintenance of healthy skin. They are critical for cell membrane integrity and act as precursors for vital bioactive substances such as ceramides. EFAs soothe and nourish, and restore skin softness and moisture, which helps [to] relieve dehydration and wrinkles.”

If I’m going try it, what am I looking for?

Some ingredients do their best work within certain formulas, so look for oil-based options for optimum results. “As cannabis/hemp seed are both rich in omegas, its best to find a lipid-based product such as a balm or oil, ideally applied as a treatment serum after cleansing and before you apply a moisturiser,” Katy says. And as for A.M. vs P.M. application, rules don’t apply. “Cannabis/hemp-based products are safe to use morning and night,” she confirms.
 

bh loves: Murad Revitalixir Recovery Serum ($140, murad.com.au), Andalou CannaCell® Happy Day Cream, Saint Jane Luxury Beauty Serum ($185, saintjanebeauty.com), The Cannabis Co. Hemp Seed Oil ($29.95, cannabiscompany.com.au), Ella Bache Botanical Skin Treatment Oil, The Body Shop Hemp Heavy-Duty Face Protector ($25, thebodyshop.com)

Main image credit: Getty Images

Have you tried any hemp, cannabis or CBD skincare? Did you see an improvement in your complexion?