Lotions, creams, and salves—oh my! With cannabidiol (CBD) popping up in just about every product you can imagine, the cannabis-infused beauty industry is clearly on the come-up. In fact, analysts predict that the “wellness” movement—as well as the legalization of Mary Jane across the world—will help rake in $25 billion globally in the next 10 years, according to Business Insider. That’s 15 percent of the $167 billion skincare market.
And what better way to up the ante on one’s wellness routine than with all-natural CBD? Just ask Dr. Lana Butner, naturopathic doctor and acupuncturist at NYC’s Modrn Sanctuary, who incorporates CBD in her treatments.
“CBD is a fantastic addition to acupuncture sessions for both its relaxation and anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving effects,” Butner shares with Vixen. “The calming effects of CBD allows for patients to deeply relax into the treatment and really tap into the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for rest, digestion and muscle repair/regeneration.”
She adds that CBD’s pain-relieving effects are “far-reaching,” from muscular and joint pains to migraines and arthritis—and even IBS and indigestion.
The magic lies in CBD’s ability to impact endocannabinoid receptor activity in our bodies. Without getting too wordy, our bodies come equipped with a system called the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is the HBIC over our sleep, appetite, pain and immune system response. Also known as cannabidiol, CBD teams up with this system to help reduce inflammation and interact with neurotransmitters. According to Healthline, CBD has also been scientifically shown to impact the brain’s receptors for serotonin, the neurotransmitter responsible for regulating our mood and social behavior.
All that said, it’s important to note that not all CBD products are created equal. Many brands cashing in on the green beauty wave use hemp seed oil, sometimes referred to as cannabis sativa seed oil, in place of CBD… which doesn’t make them any less great! Hemp seed oil is actually high in antioxidants, amino acids, and omega-3 and -6 fatty acids—all of which are thebomb.com for your skin.
“It’s generally viewed as a superfood and is great for adding nutritional value to your diet,” Ashley Lewis, co-founder of Fleur Marché, told Well and Good last month. “In terms of skin care, it’s known as a powerful moisturizer and skin softener that doesn’t clog pores or contribute to oily skin.”
However, when companies start marketing CBD and hemp oil as one-in-the-same, that’s when things get a bit tricky.
“The biggest issue is that hemp seed oil and CBD are two totally different compounds that come from different parts of the hemp plant, have different makeups, and different benefits,” Lewis added. “Marketing them as the same thing just isn’t accurate and does a disservice to consumers who are expecting certain benefits that they won’t get from hemp seed oil and who are often paying more for what they think is CBD.”
So if you’re looking to benefit from the perks specifically attributed to CBD, make sure you’re reading labels before buying, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Hell, ask for a product’s test results, while you’re at it. It never hurts to be sure.
Now that we’ve got that out of the way, are you ready to see what all the hype is about? For this 4/20, we rounded up a few CBD (and hemp!)-infused products to help give your self-care routine a bit of a boost. Looks like your holiday just got that much kushier. You’re welcome!
Note: Data and regulations surrounding CBD and its use are still in development. That said, please don’t take anything written in this post as medical or legal advice, and definitely double check the laws in your state. Also, please do your body a favor and hit up your doctor before trying any new supplements. We’re just tryna look out for you. Okay? Okay. Read on.
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Emerald Deep Moisture Glow Oil by Herbivore Botanicals, $48
Image Credit: Courtesy of Herbivore Botanicals Hydrate and calm your skin with Herbivore Botanicals’ Emerald Deep Moisture Glow Oil. Formulated with hemp seed oil (there’s a CBD version, too), this formula was designed to pump your skin full of moisture and give you a glow “that is lit”—their words. All you need is 4-8 drops on freshly washed skin to have folks shouting out “that GLOW, tho!” all year long. Word on the street is that it pairs well with their jade facial roller, which you can pick up here.
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Lavender Hemp Sleeping Mask by Kana Skincare, $55
Image Credit: Courtesy of Kana Skincare Kick your bedtime routine up a notch with Kana Skincare’s Lavender Hemp Sleeping Mask. You can put it on—and keep it on—before you hit the sheets, allowing the scent of lavender to soothe you to sleep while working against inflammation. Wash it off the morning, and witness the effects of hyaluronic acid and a-Bisabolol leaving your skin with a supple radiance. The cannabis sativa seed extract is the cherry on top, providing your face with all the antioxidants and vitamins E and A it needs.
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High CBD Formula Body Lotion by Lord Jones, $60
Image Credit: Courtesy of Lord Jones The first CBD product to launch at Sephora in 2018, Lord Jones’ High CBD Formula Body Lotion has received the stamp of approval from Allure, NY Mag, Bustle, among others. Its selling point is its delivery of CBD via a nourishing lotion, which is easily absorbed by the skin. Each 1.7oz bottle contains 100mg of CBD (2mg per pump) along with Lord Jones’ signature fragrance of sage, mint and green citrus. It’s also vegan, cruelty-free, and lab-tested to ensure you’re getting some pure and potent stuff.
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Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil Herbal Concentrate by Kiehl’s, $49
Image Credit: Compliments of Kiehl's With summer finally approaching, you’re definitely going to want to switch up your skincare routine to complement the warmer weather (read more about that in our glow guide). With that in mind, we’re digging the sound of Kiehl’s Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil Herbal Concentrate for all its skin-soothing properties. Not only is it lightweight and non-comedogenic, but it contains 60 percent cannabis sativa seed oil, which will help your skin barrier boss all the way up. While it doesn’t contain CBD, it is free of sulfates SLS and SLES, parabens, and phthalates. The green oregano oil also provides a fresh, botanical aroma while combating problem skin, so if you’re a fan of earthy scents, then this product is for you.
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Full Spectrum CBD Lip Balm by Veritas Farms, $4
Image Credit: Courtesy of Verita’s Farm Ain’t nobody got time for dry, crusty lips—are we right or are we right? Thankfully, Verita’s Farm’s Full Spectrum CBD Lip Balm comes infused with organic cocoa butter, shea butter, aloe vera, and whole-plant hemp extract for an all-nourishing cocktail sure to leave your lips feeling smoother than whipped butter. Pick it up in one of two flavors—Orange Creme and French Vanilla—for a smooch that’s as scrumptious as it is soft. This lip balm contains 25 milligrams of CBD and .3% or less THC. While THC is federally legal nationwide, state laws may vary, as noted on the brand’s website. Be sure to check yours.