Cannabis-Infused Topicals and Skin Health: What You Need to Know
Let’s start with two quick skin health questions:
How’s your skin doing today?
Did you know skin is our largest organ?
It’s also our first line of defense against various environmental stressors and pathogens, and one of the most obvious ways the body shows signs of aging. As we age, skin becomes dry, loses elasticity and also loses some of its ability to heal from different infections, skin diseases and viruses.
You might be surprised to learn that our skin is abundant with receptors in our epidermal cells and sensory nerves. When marijuana topicals—cannabis lotions, balms, oils, etc.—are applied, cannabinoids such as THC and CBD bind with millions of receptors in the skin, muscle tissue and local nerves and deliver localized effects. This system of receptors is known as the endocannabinoid system (ECS).
And recent studies are showing us the importance of a healthy ECS in the skin.
Cannabis is loaded with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants easily absorbed through the skin. It can also protect aging skin and even treat skin diseases. When we use a topical, cannabinoids bind to receptors in our skin, going to work on skin conditions like psoriasis or eczema, or other surface issues like cuts, bruises, and irritations.
Dermatological Studies and the Efficacy of Topicals
A recent report from the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology reviewed multiple studies and found that topical treatments made with cannabinoids helped with skin conditions by relieving itching and swelling, reducing pain and preventing or reducing the proliferation of skin cells. There is also evidence showing that marijuana topicals helped reduce inflammation and regulate the immune system.
A study in 2016 found “topical CBD application has therapeutic potential for relief of arthritis pain-related behaviours and inflammation without evident side-effects.”
From arthritis and cramps to sprains and bug bites, marijuana topicals can provide localized relief. Clients have told us how using our cannabis lotions, balms, salves, oils and tinctures, has eased aches and pains, soothed irritated skin and aided the healing of bumps and bruises.
Marijuana topicals infused with the complete plant offer the full spectrum of therapeutic cannabis compounds rather than isolating an individual cannabinoid. While each cannabinoid is powerful in its own right, using the whole plant gives you everything the plant offers. That’s why at Mary Jane’s Medicinals we use a whole-plant infusion process to create our topicals, delivering the most potential benefit to your hard-working skin.