The Best Cannabis Skincare and Soaps and How to Use Them
Everything you need to know about treating your skin with cannabis - and how to select the best cannabis skincare products for you.
A growing trend in luxury spas and home bathrooms alike, virtually every over-the-counter skincare product you can think of now has a cannabis or hemp-infused counterpart. In addition to soaps, body washes, and bath oils, cannabis and CBD are now added to lotions, creams, face masks, serums, lip balms, sunscreen, and more. Read on to discover the many benefits of cannabis skincare, and how to choose the best cannabis soaps and skincare products for you.
Who Are Cannabis Soaps and Skincare Products For?
Nearly everyone can now enjoy the hydrating, anti-aging, and calming benefits of cannabis and CBD soaps and skincare products. People with skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema, acne, redness, or dryness often see remarkable improvements when they begin regularly treating their skin with infused products. Individuals with allergies or sensitivities to the ingredients in conventional soaps and lotions may find cannabis varieties an ideal substitute, due to cannabis’s natural soothing capabilities as well as the cannabis skincare sector’s trend toward using clean ingredients.
Consulting a dermatologist is always recommended before adopting a new skincare regimen, especially if you have any existing health conditions or concerns. It’s also a good idea to spot-test any new skincare product on a small patch of skin first, especially if you have sensitive skin.
Will Cannabis Skincare Products Get You High?
No, cannabis soaps and skincare products will not get you high or impart any psychoactive effects. Topically applied cannabis absorbs quickly and efficiently into the skin, but its cannabinoids (marijuana’s primary chemical compounds, including THC and CBD) remain in the dermal tissue. Since these cannabinoids do not cross into the bloodstream, using cannabis skincare products won’t impair your ability to carry on normal activities like working or driving. This also means failing a drug test as a result of cannabis skincare is highly unlikely. However, lip balms containing THC are an exception to this rule and actually can impart a psychoactive high or potentially affect the results of a drug test.
Cannabis Skincare and Children
Administering any amount of THC to minors, even in its non-psychoactive topical form, is illegal without express approval from a physician (in jurisdictions where medical marijuana is allowed). However, topical hemp and CBD products that do not contain THC are legal for use by people of all ages. CBD skincare products can be incredibly effective in treating children’s skin conditions, as well as a terrific natural soap option. Of course, it is always advisable to consult a pediatrician before starting your child on any new skincare regimen.
Cannabis Skincare for Pets
The cannabis skincare market isn’t limited solely to humans. Pets can also benefit from the antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and other benefits of infused skincare, leading to the creation of specialized CBD skincare products for dogs, cats, and even horses.
Cannabis skincare is also available to our furry friends.
What Makes Cannabis Skincare Products So Effective?
Cannabis’s benefits aren’t limited only to the properties of individual cannabinoids (such as THC, CBD, and the lesser-known CBN, CBG, and CBC). The cannabis plant is full of chemical compounds that work together to create a powerful cocktail of body benefits. Each component either enhances or balances out the others. The synergistic interaction between the various components of the cannabis plant is known as the “entourage effect.”
Terpenes
In addition to cannabinoids, cannabis also contains aromatic compounds called terpenes. Terpenes are present in a wide variety of plants and are responsible for their scent and flavor notes. Beyond adding flavor and aroma, marijuana’s terpenes (which vary by strain) have a host of valuable qualities and benefits, including helping the skin effectively absorb cannabinoids.
When included in soaps and skincare products, terpenes not only lend their own signature scents and physical benefits but also maximize the cannabinoid effects. Some cannabis skincare companies provide a detailed breakdown of which terpenes are present in their products, while others do not.
Cannabis also contains aromatic compounds called terpenes.
The Healthy Skin Benefits of Cannabis
- The anti-inflammatory effects of cannabis can significantly soothe symptoms such as pain, stiffness, or soreness, and alleviate the effects of common skin problems, including itchiness and dryness.
- Hempseed oil is rich in omega-3 and omega-6 oils, both highly effective moisturizers that also work to counteract free radicals, protecting skin from potentially serious damage.
- Cannabigerol (CBG) is a cannabinoid that helps skin cells retain moisture, keeping skin firm and youthful.
- Several different cannabinoids have impressive antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties, making cannabis soaps highly effective cleansing agents, as well as stopping acne and many other bacterial skin conditions in their tracks.
- Cannabis contains powerful antioxidants, neutralizing the free radicals that cause skin damage and even cancer. Scientific studies have shown cannabinoid antioxidant properties to be even more potent than vitamins E and C, making them a powerful ally against damage caused by UV exposure, smoking, and other environmental factors.
- Cannabis contains significant levels of vitamins A and D, which are essential for stimulating skin regeneration, including protection from and repair of UV and other types of environmental skin damage.
How to Use Topical Cannabis Skincare Products
Topically applied cannabis tends to kick in quickly, with full effects typically felt within 10-20 minutes, though some individuals feel the effects within minutes after applying. Here are some of cannabis and CBD’s most common skincare applications.
- Cannabis skincare products are highly moisturizing, helping skin cells retain water and infusing the skin with additional hydration.
- People with oily skin may find some relief in cannabis skin products. CBD in particular has been shown to regulate lipid production in the skin, which can reduce excessive oiliness.
- A wide variety of uncomfortable and unsightly bacterial and inflammatory skin conditions respond well to topical cannabis treatment, including acne, dermatitis, impetigo, boils, folliculitis, and more. Psoriasis, which has no known cure, also tends to respond well to topical cannabinoid treatment.
- Topical cannabis products can effectively alleviate joint, muscle, and nerve pain or soreness. These effects can be felt by applying lotion or cream directly to the affected area. Using cannabis soap in the shower or bath imparts a full-body anti-inflammatory effect, promoting relaxation as well as relief.
- Cannabis’s anti-inflammatory effects extend to soothing itchiness from rashes, bug bites, or other irritations.
- Cannabis is a powerful anti-aging tool, repairing (and preventing further) skin damage and signs of aging, including wrinkles, liver spots, and dullness.
- Cannabis soaps and skincare products are typically formulated with herbs, essential oils, and other ingredients specifically formulated to promote feelings of well-being, ranging from relaxing and/or sleep-inducing to energizing and mood-boosting.
Topically applied cannabis tends to kick in quickly, with full effects typically felt within 10-20 minutes.
How to Select the Right Cannabis Skincare Products for You
The still relatively new cannabis skincare market has exploded in popularity recently, with a huge number of new and existing companies jumping into this exciting new sector. While it’s certainly great to have ample choices, the sheer number of options available can make cannabis skincare shopping overwhelming for those new to it. Here’s how to weed out the best skincare brands and what to consider in selecting the right infused products for your individual needs.
THC Content (Or Lack Thereof)
To achieve the maximum benefits from any cannabis-infused product, “full-spectrum” options are your best bet. Products made with full-spectrum cannabis include all of the plant’s terpenes and essential oils, maximizing the entourage effect. If you’re shopping for THC-free products, full-spectrum CBD also includes these whole-plant benefits, though these products are legally allowed to contain up to .03% THC (an amount insignificant enough to not noticeably affect most people). However, if you’re concerned about even minuscule exposure to THC, then you may prefer CBD isolate products which (as the name implies) are infused with only extracted CBD, or broad-spectrum CBD products, which include much of the same plant matter as full-spectrum, but with all traces of THC removed.
Discretion
If discretion is important to you, it’s worth noting that some THC soaps and skincare items do carry a hint (or more than a hint) of marijuana’s distinctive aroma, while CBD products generally do not. The current trends in beauty and personal care product packaging lean toward minimalist designs with an air of luxury, so most infused skincare products will blend easily in with the other personal care products on your bathroom shelf without calling to attention their marijuana-derived ingredients.
Purity
Following the widespread consumer trend toward organic, “clean” beauty and personal care products, most cannabis skincare brands avoid the use of potentially toxic ingredients, utilizing only high-quality, responsibly sourced ingredients. To ensure you’re not rubbing heavy metals, pesticides, parabens, or other toxins into your skin, look for products that have been lab-tested to ensure purity. Some companies make Certificates of Analysis available, giving consumers a look at the exact cannabinoid and terpene content of their products, as well as how “clean” their products really are.
Eco-Friendy
Most cannabis skincare companies package their products in eco-friendly materials, and it’s easy to find products that are vegan and/or cruelty-free (not tested on animals).
Most cannabis skincare companies package their products in eco-friendly materials.
Company Reputation
Currently, outside of Canada, the infused cosmetics market is largely unregulated, so it’s advisable to only trust your skin to products from reputable, established companies. Opt for products from companies with consistently high consumer rankings and the endorsements of trusted cannabis industry resources (like 10Buds!) whenever possible.
Where to Buy Cannabis Soaps and Skincare Products
Cannabis soaps and skincare products are no longer relegated only to head shops or the daunting project of making your own at home. CBD and hemp products are steadily moving into the mainstream and have become easy to come by. Now, most major makeup retailers, chain drugstores, and grocery stores carry topical CBD products. A more specialized selection may often be found at specialty shops, health food stores, dispensaries, and online.
In the United States, all products containing more than .03% THC are only available through licensed dispensaries. In a few US states, even CBD-only products still cannot be purchased in brick-and-mortar stores, though it is not illegal to order them online. In Canada, despite marijuana’s status as a legal substance, all cosmetic products are federally required not to exceed .03% THC. Likewise in the EU, THC is prohibited from cosmetic use, but CBD skincare products are widely available.
If you’re ready to treat your skin to the best cannabis soaps, lotions, creams, and serums on today’s market, read on for our list of trusted and recommended infused skincare brands.
Our Recommended Cannabis Soaps and Skincare Products
Myaderm
Myaderm’s skincare and topical pain relief products deliver fast-acting and powerfully effective results. Made with purified CBD, vitamins, and botanical extracts, Myaderm’s cosmetic skincare line includes moisturizers, eye cream, wrinkle cream, foaming face cleansers, and a deeply soothing Calming Cream. Myaderm also carries a line of specialized, highly-concentrated pain relief creams, including one for pets. Myaderm’s pharmacist-formulated products are held to the highest, FDA-compliant standards, are completely free of THC, and are always third-party tested with certificates of analysis available. Myaderm can be ordered online and select products can be purchased at several major retailers, including GNC and Dick’s Sporting Goods, throughout the United States (including Hawaii).
JASON
A popular manufacturer of clean, plant-based soaps and personal care products since 1959, JASON’s offerings now include Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil body wash and moisturizing creme, as well as a collection of hemp oil and aloe-infused personal care products designed for men, including face and body wash, aftershave, and deodorant. JASON’s hemp-infused skincare products are free of harsh ingredients and deliver deeply soothing effects. All of JASON’s skincare products are cruelty-free and made with 100% vegetarian ingredients. JASON is headquartered in Lake Success, New York, with hemp-infused products available at major retailers throughout the United States.
Cannuka
Through a truly unique pairing of cannabis and manuka honey alongside other natural ingredients such as rose hip oil and orange peel butter, Cannuka has created a truly incredible and highly effective line of skincare products that deliver a luxuriously soothing experience. With a fresh, clean scent, Cannuka’s soaps, cleansers, and creams glide on smoothly, leaving skin feeling ultra-soft and deeply nourished. Cannuka’s products are made with hemp-derived CBD and include a purifying face cleanser, glow enzyme mask, soothing and hydrating skin balm, harmonizing face cream, body cream, bar soap, lip balm, and more. All Cannuka products are sustainably-sourced, PETA-certified cruelty-free, and free of parabens and sulfates. Cannuka can be purchased via its website as well as a variety of specialty boutiques, online retailers, and major retailers throughout the US, including Neiman Marcus and ULTA Beauty.
Naturecan
Naturecan’s Restore CBD Hand Cream leaves hands remarkably soft, smooth, and moisturized, while providing soothing protection and relief from drying environmental factors. Alongside broad-spectrum CBD extracted from certified organic Oregon-grown hemp, Restore Hand Cream is made with rejuvenating hyaluronic acid, avocado oil, shea butter, cocoa butter, and essential oils, and is available in either vanilla or “natural” scent. Naturecan’s skincare line also includes a daily moisturizer, face masks, and lip balm. All products are third-party lab tested for quality and purity, and free of SLS, SLES, parabens, GMOs, and THC. In addition to producing top-tier CBD products, Naturecan has achieved carbon-neutral status and makes substantial contributions to worldwide sustainability efforts. Naturecan is based in Coral Gables, Florida, and ships globally.
Prima
Prima’s highly-reviewed collection of skincare products for face and body blend hemp and other botanicals for a truly luxurious sensory experience. Prima’s CBD-infused offerings include face and body oils, creams, and serums, CBD bath soak, and even hand sanitizer, and all are 100% clean, with Certificates of Analysis available from third-party testers. Prima uses broad-spectrum CBD extracted from sustainably grown, non-GMO hemp seeds through an innovative, petroleum-free process. Most Prima skincare products are EWG verified, and all are cruelty-free. Prima products are available at several high-end retailers throughout the US, including Sephora, Whole Foods, and Nordstrom, as well as via online order. Prima is based in Santa Monica, California.
Beekman 1802
Beekman 1802’s artisan-crafted CBD soaps, dry face oil, and body cream are made with a decadently creamy goat milk base. The properties of goat milk are highly synergistic with those of cannabis, and Beekman 1802’s goat milk comes directly from its own small farm in Sharon Springs, New York. Beekman 1802 skincare products are purity-tested, cruelty-free, and are made with gentle ingredients, specially formulated for people with sensitive skin. Beekman 1802 offers free virtual skin consultations and shipping is free on all CBD-infused products. Beekman 1802 products are available at Ulta Beauty and other independent retailers throughout the United States, as well as via online order.
Undefined
Undefined, a top-rated wellness company embracing the innate magic of plants, offers several luxurious CBD-infused skincare options. Glow Elixir is a lightweight, beautifully scented facial serum infused with a potent blend of botanicals, vitamins, and nourishing oils and Glow Gelee is an unscented gel serum formulated to smooth fine lines and pores while noticeably firming and rejuvenating skin. All of Undefined’s products are non-toxic, plant-based, sustainably sourced, and cruelty-free. Undefined is a female-founded, Black-owned business with a commitment to making high-quality botanical skincare and wellness products affordable and accessible to all. Undefined may be ordered online and is also available at Whole Foods Market stores throughout the United States (including Hawaii).
Kiskanu
Kiskanu is a family-owned, woman-run company, creating luxurious, sustainable, handcrafted CBD skincare, tinctures, and other wellness products. Kiskanu’s versatile, lightweight, and potent Hemp CBD Face Oil makes an excellent moisturizer, beard oil, makeup base, or makeup remover, and is suitable for all skin types. Kiskanu’s products are all made with organic, US-grown hemp CBD and other organic whole-plant extracts, and each contains .03% or less THC. Every single step, from formulation to packaging, is lovingly handled by Kiskanu’s own staff. Kiskanu is based in Northern Humboldt, California, with products available at select spas and specialty wellness boutiques along the Pacific Coast and in several other US states, as well as via their website.
Vital Body Therapeutics
Founded by bodywork professionals and spa owners who started out making a proprietary CBD cream for their clients, Vital Body Therapeutics has since grown into a successful skincare brand in its own right. Vital Body’s products are handmade from scratch, using broad-spectrum CBD, certified organic herbs and essential oils, and are lab-tested with Certificates of Analysis available. Vital Body’s CBD skincare line includes pleasantly scented, lightweight, deeply hydrating body oil, face oil, creams and balms formulated for pain relief, and a CBD Mineral Soak that elevates bathtime to a soothing and ultra-relaxing level. Vital Body Therapeutics is a women-owned and operated business, based in Santa Cruz, California.
Mantra Mask
Mantra Mask is a women-owned company that’s created an impressive collection of luxuriously enjoyable and highly effective CBD skincare products. Mantra Mask’s flagship line is their CBD sheet masks, each formulated for a specific skincare purpose, with fun and inspiring mantras printed on the packaging. Mantra Mask’s other CBD skincare offerings include coconut eye gels, a clarifying activated charcoal cleanser, collagen protective spray, and Collagen Power Boost Serum. Mantra Mask is made with broad-spectrum hemp-derived CBD, amino acids, botanical extracts, and vitamins, are THC-free, and are lab-tested with Certificates of Analysis available. Mantra Mask’s products are appropriate for all skin types and deliver deeply hydrating and powerfully visible anti-aging effects. Mantra Mask is based in Lake Forest, California with products available via their website.
Vertly
A collection of luxurious botanical CBD bath, beauty, and pain relief products, Vertly handcrafts their creations weekly and in small batches, ensuring maximum freshness and potency. Vertly’s best-selling product is a lip butter that deeply hydrates and nourishes, while their Glowing Face Serum and Soothing Floral Face Mist deliver remarkable anti-aging and anti-inflammatory effects. Additionally, Vertly offers bath salts (formulated for either alleviating muscle soreness or a truly luxurious soaking experience), and pain-relieiving lotion and spray. Vertly is made with CBD derived from organic, US-grown, full-spectrum hemp, alongside other freshly-extracted, Northern California-grown herbs and botanicals that are slow-infused to maximize potency. Vertly products are packaged in beautiful, gift-worthy packaging, and can be ordered directly from their website.
Leanna Organics
Crafters of specialty organic hemp seed and CBD-infused soaps, creams, salves, and more, Leanna Organics takes pride in offering high-end quality at an affordable price. Leanna’s products are all cruelty-free and produced daily by hand in small batches at the Leanna Organics shop in Westminster, Colorado. Made with pure CBD extracts from Colorado-grown industrial hemp, all of their products are third-party lab-tested, with a complete Certificate of Analysis included with each purchase. Leanna’s wide range of CBD-infused creations include bath bombs, face, foot, and body creams, salves, eye serum, lip balm, and massage oil. CBD-free options include body cream, body scrub, and several hemp seed-based soaps. Leanna Organics can be ordered online or purchased in their flagship Colorado store.
Color Up
Since 2015, Color Up has incorporated its mission of spreading love and elevating lives into community-focused CBD education and its award-winning professional-grade CBD skincare, personal care, and pet care lines. Color Up’s vast product catalog includes full-spectrum and pure CBD-infused body creams, masques, serums, eye creams, moisturizers, beard oil, facial scrubs and cleansers, lip balm, bath bombs, highly soothing salves, massage oil and lotion, and more. Color Up’s Pro Line products are a pleasure to use, with a soft, pleasant scent, smooth, light application, and remarkably noticeable results. All Color Up products are lab-tested, cruelty-free, and made without the toxic ingredients used in most conventional skincare products. Color Up can be purchased online or in-person at their Denver and Phoenix spa locations.
MĀSK
Created with the intention of encouraging self-acceptance and self-care through comforting, nourishing cannabinoid-infused skincare, MĀSK products are crafted with a handpicked selection of high-grade botanicals and other plant-derived ingredients. Full-spectrum CBD oil is an active ingredient in MĀSK’s skincare products, alongside CBG, CBN, and CBC. MĀSK’s CBD-infused offerings include a selection of soothing sheet masks, formulated for a variety of skincare needs, as well as nourishing, depuffing eye patches. MĀSK also offers a line of balancing, hydrating, and anti-aging CBD serums and a luxuriously smooth organic CBD lip balm. MĀSK products can be ordered directly from their website.
KANA Skincare
The first and only EU-certified spa-grade CBD skincare brand, KANA Skincare harnesses the best of Korean beauty with its award-winning, aromatherapeutic CBD-infused skincare formulations. Utilizing broad-spectrum CBD and cannabis sativa seed extract alongside other botanicals, KANA delivers a luxurious and deeply nourishing skincare experience, enhancing sleep, hydration, and glowing skin. KANA’s suite of signature skincare offerings includes CBD Essence Toner, LIT Premium Facial Oil, and soothing sleeping masks. All KANA products are plant-based, vegan, clean, cruelty-free, and free of parabens, dyes, and fragrances. KANA Skincare products can be found at major high-end retailers, including Bloomingdale’s, inside popular subscription boxes from Birchbox and FabFitFun, as well as directly on their website.
SeaBeDee
Creators of an impressive collection of CBD-infused tinctures, edibles, and more, SeaBeDee also offers a complete 4-step infused skincare suite unlike any other. These four products (sold together as a set) include a facial cleanser, hydrating mist, restorative mask, and soothing moisturizer, each formulated with full-spectrum CBD and enhanced with a proprietary blend of select botanicals and terpenes. SeaBeDee’s skincare line is 100% vegan, cruelty-free, non-comedogenic, third-party lab tested, free of GMOs, parabens, dimethicone, fragrance, and sulfates, and friendly to all skin types. All SeaBeDee products are made in the USA, using CBD extracted via a solventless CO2 process from farm bill-compliant, organically-grown US hemp. SeaBeDee’s other skincare offerings include lavender CBD bath bombs and a deeply soothing muscle and joint relief cream. SeaBeDee is headquartered in San Diego, California, and its products can be ordered via their website.
Hawaiian Choice
Hawaiian Choice Topical Gel delivers high-strength, ultra-soothing relief from pain, tension, and inflammation while feeling soft and smooth on your skin. This highly effective and amazing-smelling gel goes on smoothly, with a non-oily finish, and you only need to use a small amount to feel the full effects. Alongside broad-spectrum CBD, this gel contains a full suite of botanical ingredients, including arnica, aloe vera, Gotu Kola, peppermint, menthol, horsetail plant and geranium extracts, organic Hawaiian-grown lemongrass, and eucalyptus essential oil, also organically grown in Hawaii. Each 45 ml jar of Topical Gel contains 200 mg of CBD. Hawaiian Choice is available directly from its website and in over 200 shops throughout the US, Japan, and Guam.
Casco Bay Hemp
Casco Bay Hemp is a Maine-based company known for its luxurious, all-natural, and quite potent CBD personal care products. Casco Bay’s glycerin-based soaps are made with US-grown hemp, contain 75 mg CBD per bar, and are available in an aromatic Vanilla Oak & Charcoal formulation that smells amazing, strips toxins, and unclogs pores while it deep-cleanses, as well as a pure, unscented version. Casco Bay’s other decadent products include 100 mg CBD bath bombs, as well as CBD sheet masks, salves, lotions, and more! Casco Bay Hemp products are available in apothecaries, spas, and specialty shops throughout Maine, Massachusetts, and North Carolina, as well as directly from its website.
New World CBD
New World CBD’s luxuriously soothing topical CBD lotions offer a deeply mositurizing and delightfully fragrant experience, available in four essential-oil infused varieties: Lavender, Wintergreen, Citrus Pine, and Sweet Orange. These topical lotions absorb particularly well into the skin, and they are gentle enough for facial as well as whole-body use. Oregon-based New World CBD is a family-owned business dedicated to crafting the highest quality cruelty-free, full-spectrum CBD products, sourced entirely from hemp grown on its own family farm. New World’s other CBD skincare offerings include a soothing topical balm and delightful fizzing bath salts to soothe aching muscles while giving skin a hydrating glow. New World CBD can be ordered directly from its website.