BY MARIA FINN
A consumer’s guide to pampering yourself with cannabis products
Cannabis has all sorts of therapeutic properties, so it was only a matter of time before it entered the beauty market. Now you can get everything from lip balm to bath bombs with cannabis extracts, in addition to nourishing natural ingredients like aloe and lavender.
These products promise to soothe irritated skin, ease aches and pains, and minimize wrinkles, among many other benefits. Some have psychoactive properties, while others just make you very relaxed, if anything. And because many of them don’t require a medical cannabis prescription, you can buy them online, making them an easy entry into cannabis wellness.
One big disclaimer: None of these products have been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and therefore cannot be validated as a treatment or cure for any disease. Check in with a knowledgeable physician before starting any cannabinoid skin regimen.
Medicated Epsom Salt Bath Soaks, $13, Om Edibles:
Epsom salt has long been used in baths for its detoxifying, muscle-relaxing properties. Now cannabis is being added to the mix. These medicated bath salts with organic and biodynamic full-sun cannabis flowers come from women-run collective Om Edibles. The salts come in lavender; lemon, ginger and eucalyptus; rose geranium; “athletic”; and fragrance-free. Recommended for anxiety, depression, muscle pain, menstrual discomfort and dermatological issues, they contain about 25 milligrams of cannabis’ main active ingredient, THC, meaning you’ll likely be very relaxed after use.
Where to buy: Medithrive, San Francisco.
Relief Balm for Chronic Pain, $25, Flour Child Collective:
Rich in cannabis’ second most common active ingredient, cannabidiol, this balm is multipurpose. Primarily a pain reliever, it can also be used as a makeup remover, a quick fix for puffy eyes, a moisturizer and a treatment for dry scalp. “I always make sure I have a jar when traveling because it works for so much,” Flour Child founder Stephany Gocobachi wrote in an email. Made with skin-nourishing organic mango and kokum butter, it’s also got CBD-rich full-extract cannabis oil. It comes in three scents — lavender mint, lemongrass and rose geranium — as well as unscented, and is available at select California dispensaries.
Where to buy: SPARC, San Francisco.
Bath Bombs, $15, De La Beuh:
Get the benefits of aromatherapy and cannabinoids in a colorful, fizzy package. The first cannabis bath bombs on the market, these fun products are recommended for aches and pains, dry skin, sleep problems and even nerve damage. “I wanted to create a product that patients could enjoy using, feel safe about using, and also have healing qualities,” explained De La Beuh owner Leanna Friedman.
Where to buy: The Kind Center, Hollywood.
Cherry Balm, $15, Apothecanna:
This lip balm is super-hydrating. Free of synthetic ingredients, parabens, and artificial colors and fragrances, it goes on silky and light and is packed with anti-inflammatory ingredients such as mango butter, shea butter, peppermint and grapefruit. Infused with hemp-derived CBD, it’s available in states where cannabis isn’t, as well as online.
Where to buy: Online at www.apothecanna.com
Aloe-Based Face and Eye Cream, $40, Kush Creams:
This cream contains an antioxidant-rich combination of emu oil, sea buckthorn oil, “fertile female hemp seed,” rose hip oil and meadowfoam seed oil. Hypoallergenic, anti-inflammatory and scent-free, it’s a good choice for those with sensitive skin.
Where to buy: Online at www.kushcreams.com.
High CBD Healing Facial Serum, $34, Little Green Bee:
The high-CBD healing facial serum stands out because it was formulated by a botanist and chemist. “Our serum is very high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatories, including some of the very strongest: cannabidiol (CBD) and THC,” Little Green Bee founder Bridget May wrote in an email. The serum’s full spectrum of cannabinoids, like other antioxidants, helps heal the skin, fight free radicals and prevent premature aging, she said. It includes organic jojoba, hazelnut and argan oils, plus essential oils of blue tansy, orange, basil and myrrh. “We chose the essential oils not only for their skin-healing qualities but also for their aromatherapy effect.” You only need a few drops.
Where to buy: Online at www.getsava.com
CBD Essential Oil Blends, $30, Golden Goddess:
Olfaction may be our most underrated sense; a scent can conjure memories and transport us to faraway places. When a vacation isn’t possible, try the three CBD-infused essential oil blends from Golden Goddess. Rich with terpenes, which give cannabis its fragrance, Lush invokes a “walk in the moist forest on a crisp morning,” and Lumin promises “a temple in a tropical landscape.” Apply them on the skin to get the most benefit.
Where to buy: Online at www.getsava.com.
Maria Finn is an author, journalist and speaker in Sausalito. Additional reporting by April Kilcrease.