Edibles, vapes, and skincare? Cannabis products beyond the high

cannabis skincare products

Despite valiant efforts, cannabis skincare hasn’t taken off. Luxury items in sectors like accessories or flower have large fan bases, but so far, the skincare girlies haven’t flocked to the plant just yet. Sephora made a big to-do about launching CBD skincare in stores, but the beauty retailer  has since discontinued the lines. At this point there’s only few cannabinoid-infused products that fit seamlessly into a skincare routine.

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Developing a skincare regimen that keeps skin smooth, lustrous, and fresh without breakouts isn’t easy. It takes years to find the right products for your skin type that actually work. After all that, you’ve still got to remember to do every step every night. The same goes for weed skincare, but it might be even harder due to a lack of product options.

There aren’t shelves worth of cannabis skincare products, but some may not realize that they’ve been there all along. Hemp seed oil has been used in beauty products for decades. The oil doesn’t contain THC or CBD. It’s made from the same seeds sold in health food stores to eat or made into hemp milk. Though some of these products only contain cannabis sativa seed oil, others have CBD and terpenes, too.

Step 1: Cleanser

Cleansing is always the first step of skincare as it clears away dirt, makeup, oil, and pollution that may have accumulated over the day. Having this step in the process may help unclog pores and stave off breakouts.

A few cannabis cleansers have been released since the plant started taking the U.S. by storm, but many, like Kiehl’s, have been discontinued. Andalou Naturals CannaCell Cleansing Foam is vegan, cruelty-free, and inside of sustainable packaging, and contains hemp stem cells.

As for reviews, 75 percent of those who purchased this on Ulta would recommend it to friends. The commenters warned against this product if you have eczema. It also hurts when it gets in your eyes.

Step 2: Toner

Think of toner as a cleanser backup that can also enhance brightness and the overall tone of the skin. Toners are simple products like witch hazel and micellar water.

Get a little extra with the choice of toner and add a touch of CBD with Lea Black Brighten and Balance toner, complete with 200 mg CBD. The cruelty-free bottle also contains witch hazel, aloe vera, and vitamin C.

Step 3: Serum

There is tons of variety in the serum realm. Certain serums are formulated for anti-aging, while others might be meant to correct dark spots. Serums can be hit or miss for each person; everyone has skin as individual as their endocannabinoid system. If it’s possible, try samples of serums before committing to a full bottle.

As for serums that contain the plant, we found Hey Honey A.C.E. It. The Vitamin Blend Hydration Enhancer is cruelty-free and made with clean ingredients including cannabis sativa seed oil and some extra limonene, a terpene found in cannabis. Those and all the other things in the formulation (like jojoba oil and coffee seed oil) should rejuvenate skin to shine brightly despite age.

Step 4: Spot corrector

Dark spots happen from acne, sun damage, and pregnancy hormones-it’s completely natural. That said, some still don’t want them, and for that camp, there is step four: Spot Correctors. Instead of rubbing this product in like a cleanser or spreading it onto the skin like toner, it’s dabbed directly onto treatment areas.

CannaBloom offers a CBD-infused Dark Spot Correcting Cream made with the plant and hydroquinone, which has been shown to reduce hyperpigmentation.

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Step 5: Moisturizer

Hydrated skin is more elastic than drier skin, moisturizing is key to anti-aging skincare. There are a few kinds of nightly moisture products, and then, of course, daily skin protection that is applied in the morning. Within the world of nighttime moisturizers, some prefer oil products, and others opt for cream-based. As for cannabis offerings, let’s find one of each.

When it comes to oil moisturizers, Truly Beauty Blueberry Kush CBD Face Oil is the answer. It contains many plants and herbs, including cannabis seed oil and CBD isolate. To further support its cause, this face oil has a 100 percent recommendation in its Ulta reviews.

Herbivore also formulated a cannabis face oil called Emerald Deep Moisture Glow Oil, which tips people off with its bright green hue. The vegan, cruelty-free serum also contains ashwagandha, shiitake, and other active ingredients.

As for cream-based cannabis moisturizers, let’s turn to one of the original hemp skincare brands Hempz, with the CBD Dream Creme Hydrating Facial Night Mask. It isn’t for every night like some cream moisturizers as they’re only recommended every other night, but this night mask is a dream in those drier months.

There aren’t many cannabis SPF facial moisturizers, but a few body sunblock options that include hemp are available. ZenBarn Farms grows its own and sells a banana coconut SPF 30 lotion for those hitting the beach, lake, or anywhere outside.

Step 6: Eye cream

The skin underneath the eyes is thinner than other areas of the face. That’s why there are separate moisturizers and serums for under the eyes. These products are generally hydrating but lighter than other creams and oils. Milani Green Goddess Hydrating Eye Cream nourishes the delicate area using cannabis sativa seed oil and shea butter.

Many also like to use eye masks to reduce bags caused by lack of sleep or lots of salt the day before. The little hydrogel-soaked cloth sits under the eyes immediately working on the under-eye area. Patchology moodpatch Chill Mode makes these with a not-so-secret ingredient: cannabis sativa seed oil. They also have Rhodiola and reishi mushroom extract to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

Cannabis skincare products step-by-step

Self-care isn’t just skin deep, but the skin is a part of it. Another crucial component of many self-care routines is also weed. These brands have put the two together for years, from cleansers to eye creams. Anti-aging, evening the tone, and other jobs can be solved by cannabis skincare products–don’t be afraid to get green in your night cream.

Cara Wietstock is senior content producer of GreenState.com and has been working in the cannabis space since 2011. She has covered the cannabis business beat for Ganjapreneur and The Spokesman Review. You can find her living in Bellingham, Washington with her husband, son, and a small zoo of pets.