Cannabis is one of the most controversial drugs in the world. It is also known as marijuana (among several other names) and has been utilised for recreation and even in traditional medicine across cultures for hundreds of years.
The main component of cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol (known in short as THC), and it is a psychoactive compound. THC is one of 483 known compounds of the cannabis plant, and the plant has – at the bare minimum – 65 other related compounds (called cannabinoids), of which cannabidiol (referred to as CBD) is especially well known.
Cannabis can be consumed either by smoking a joint (a popularly used term for a rolled cannabis cigarette), through a vaporiser, as an extract, or even within food (such as cannabis chocolates, for example).
However, it was not until relatively recently that cannabis was taken seriously as an ingredient for beauty and skincare. As of today, cannabis is used by numerous companies as an ingredient in cosmetics and the plant’s extracts have also found widespread use in beauty treatments.
Here is a look at some of the various benefits cannabis has to offer:
- Cannabis can help to prevent acne
Acne is a very common skin condition that is caused due to bacterial infection, dry skin, oily skin, and even due to hair follicles getting clogged with dead skin cells. Among the chemical compounds that cannabis contains, it also contains beneficial fatty acids that help to keep the skin hydrated. In turn, this helps to minimise and even prevent acne while also keeping oily skin in check. Cannabis has been found to have anti-inflammatory properties. These properties help to prevent the pores from getting clogged. They also help to combat infections on the skin, as well as prevent the further spread of acne.
- Cannabis can be used to treat psoriasis
Psoriasis is a skin disease in which rashes with itchy, dry and scaly patches form on the scalp, elbows, knees and trunk. This disease is not life-threatening, but it is painful, and it has the ability to disrupt one’s sleep and concentration. Studies have shown that cannabinoids could go a long way in treating skin conditions, and therefore, cannabis is being promoted as a potential ingredient to treat psoriasis. Cannabinoids have anti-inflammatory and moisturising properties, and they can help to prevent skin cells from spreading, while also reducing the feeling of itchiness.
- Cannabis can be used as an antimicrobial
In a surprising discovery, it has been found that cannabis can be a very powerful antimicrobial agent, having the potential to neutralise bacteria that are resistant to currently available antibiotics. What is even more incredible is that the effectiveness of cannabis did not diminish with extended use.
- Cannabis can help to soothe the skin
Cannabinoids have been shown to reduce dry skin and skin aging. Cannabidiol has the potential to tackle skin irritation, rashes and even itches. Similarly, it is likely that skincare products that contain cannabis will help to relieve pain and heal skin abrasions. Recent studies have shown that cannabis could be an effective ingredient to deal with skin conditions such as dermatitis and eczema. It has also been discovered that cannabinoids help to relieve itching.
- Cannabis can contribute to slowing down aging
Cannabidiol, one of the main compounds in cannabis, is known to be a very strong antioxidant and is touted to be highly effective in decreasing skin wrinkles. Beauty products that contain cannabis are rich in fatty acids that help to keep the skin moisturised, which helps to make it look youthful and rejuvenated. Numerous cannabis-containing skin care products contain coconut oil as well as other ingredients rich in vitamins, which too ensure that the skin is adequately moisturised. Cannabis also helps to get rid of harmful free radicals which are damaging to the skin.
- Cannabis can be used in body lotions
Body lotions that contain cannabis
- Cannabis can be used in creams
Skin creams that contain cannabis are used to hydrate and moisturise the skin while also relieving itching, pain, preventing inflammations from growing and combating psoriasis. The presence of cannabidiol in skin creams is useful on scars, wounds and cuts. Cannabis-containing creams could also potentially be effective in treating arthritis.
- Cannabis can be used in body lotions
In a similar fashion, body lotions that contain cannabis help to keep the skin moisturised and hydrated from under the skin’s surface, and today there are numerous body lotions available for every skin type. Lotions are easy to absorb for the skin, and the cannabis content in them has the potential to address a number of skin conditions. Typically, most body lotions that contain cannabis have sativa seed oil.
A relatively new, emerging trend, cannabis in beauty and skincare shows a great deal of promise. One can look forward to more widespread use of cannabis in the beauty industry as more research is conducted into its benefits.