Cannabis for the Skin
Matthew Ingram
Cannabis Topicals: some of the most effective and misunderstood cannabis products on the shelves. In this blog, we’ll try to break down some of the mysteries of topicals, explain some of the known benefits, and show you how to choose the right topical for you and your needs. We’ll focus first on some of the Topicals FAQs and describe some of the effects and benefits of Proof Topicals.
Will cannabis topicals get me high?
The simple answer to this is probably not. Due to biology, it’s VERY unlikely to feel high from topical cannabis products. Topicals are often one of the first introductory products for people who are interested in pain relief but are otherwise unsure about cannabis. Applied topically, cannabis is a great option, because it’s improbable to feel “high” from topical cannabis use, even when applying a large amount. Topicals are fantastic at local pain relief, but THC does not easily pass through the skin, into the bloodstream, and to the brain - which is why it’s very unlikely that you will feel any “high.”
What are cannabis topicals good for?
Research is limited, but there is a ton of promising research in the roles of cannabinoids in treating a wide variety of skin conditions, from psoriasis and skin cancer to acne and eczema. While these conditions are all very different, both in cause and mechanism, cannabis being a potent remedy for the skin makes perfect sense because of its most well-established properties. For example:
Anti-inflammatory - All cannabinoids are known for their anti-inflammatory properties, especially CBD. Anti-inflammatory properties, when applied to the skin, generally help with itching, redness, swelling, and pain.
Antimicrobial - Cannabis is great at fighting infections and keeping things clean. This can be helpful with wound care and acne.
Antiproliferative - This is a fancy way of saying “inhibiting cell growth”. The antiproliferative properties have shown promising results in skin cancer (where cancer cells replicate and spread) and psoriasis (where keratinocyte differentiation occurs excessively).
Photoprotective - Sun damage is one of the most prolific issues for skin in terms of aging, dryness, wrinkles, and potentially cancers. Cannabinoids are known to not only protect from UV oxidation of keratinocytes, but also they can help promote melanocyte production. Both these mechanisms help the skin to protect itself from damaging UV radiation.
How do topicals do so much good?
The human endocannabinoid system is a regulator of many biochemical processes. In other words, the endocannabinoid system, when working properly, keeps an eye on a ton of other processes to keep those working properly. When the endocannabinoid system is out of balance, the effects can be widespread, or very specific. Introducing cannabis to the endocannabinoid system is a personal journey of finding out where your system might be out of balance and which cannabinoids (and at which ratios and concentrations) work best to align your system. Since cannabinoid receptors are found throughout the body, systemic use such as smoking or ingesting cannabis are quite popular - however, the skin also has CB1 and CB2 (and other) cannabinoid receptors. For the same reasons that topicals don’t get you “high,” systemic cannabinoid use doesn’t usually reach all the way out to the surface of your skin, where some folks need it most.
Which topical product is right for me?
Now that you know how topicals work, you know that cannabis is great for the skin - but that doesn’t narrow it down much when you go to a dispensary to pick a topical product! So how do you pick the right product for you?
Topicals are like any other cosmetic or skincare product - except they have cannabis too! If you know your skin is sensitive to a specific scent or essential oil, be sure to look for those things in your topical product. Some topicals have cooling/heating essential oils that can aid in pain relief and skin soothing. Some have other phytocompounds that are good for healing, such as arnica or copaiba oils. Some are specifically formulated for the face, and others for the body. It might be important to you that your skincare product doesn’t contain any preservatives or synthetic ingredients. Make sure you’re reading the ingredients to find out what is in the product and compare it to products you’ve used in the past.
Finally, look at potency. If you’re looking for pain management, you’re going to want higher amounts of THC. If you’re looking for anti-inflammatory properties, you’re going to want higher amounts of CBD. If you’re putting the product on a sensitive area such as the face, you might want gentler essential oils, and overall a more dilute product that is thin in consistency and won’t clog pores.
Proof Topicals
Face Serum: Proof’s award-winning Face Serum contains 100mg of THC & 100 mg of CBD. Every ingredient in our face serum is picked specifically for its benefit to the face, without preservatives or additives. Rich in antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and vitamins A and C, the face serum is ideal for both anti-aging and treating blemishes. With all natural ingredients, essential oils nourish the skin while cannabis promotes the regeneration of healthy skin cells and targets inflammation. Won’t clog pores! Instead, its antimicrobial properties keep the face clean and glowing. This is also great beard oil, because it provides nourishment and hydration, which are two important things that a beard requires to grow well. It also hydrates the beard and the skin beneath it.
Ice Hot Balm contains 1000 mg of THC & 1000 mg of CBD. This balm has the maximum potency for maximum relief. The base is a vegan mixture of candelilla wax, jojoba oil, and coconut oil so it is gentle on the skin and cruelty free. Arnica oil and copaiba oil are potent healers alongside cannabis for quick and powerful relief. The essential oil blend in this balm both heats and cools, bringing instant relief to sore muscles.
Ice Hot Roll-On: at 1000 mg of THC & 1000 mg of CBD, the Ice Hot Roll-On contains many of the same ingredients as the balm, but with an easy-applicator roll-on top, this can be applied throughout the day and mess-free. The roll-on applicator also massages for deep relief.
Find out more about Proof’s Topical Line.
Bibliography:
Cannabis-Based Products for the Treatment of Skin Inflammatory Diseases: A Timely Review
Cannabis sativa and Skin Health: Dissecting the Role of Phytocannabinoids
Therapeutic Potential of Cannabidiol (CBD) for Skin Health and Disorders