Cannabis-Infused Beauty Products Are All The Rage Right Now – But What Do They Actually Do?

CBD is the hip wellness ingredient of the moment. Celebrities rave about it, CBD oil vendors are popping up on every corner (seriously, my hometown in Mayo now has one, and it doesn’t have much else), and Kim Kardashian even had a CBD-themed baby shower ahead of the birth of her fourth child, Psalm. See? Trendy!

The cannabis-derived oil is reported to offer relief from a variety of ailments, including sleep issues and chronic pain, but it’s been hailed for its beauty benefits, too. Brands have been incorporating CBD and hemp oil into products like lip balm, facial oils, and even mascara, citing its nourishing, skin-loving properties.

The trend has started slowly trickling down to the more affordable brands – today, NYX Cosmetics announced their new Bare With Me collection, which includes hemp-infused blotting papers, lip balm, and primer.

But what does the CBD and/or hemp oil in these beauty products even do? Let’s look into it.

Firstly, will it get you high?

We are sorry to tell you that you will not be getting a buzz off your CBD mascara, girlos. CBD oil does not contain THC, which is the psychotropic compound in marijuana that gets you high. Make sure to tell your mam that when she goes asking if you’re on the CBD.

Just FYI, CBD oil is different to hemp oil (also known as cannabis sativa seed oil) which is also a common skincare and beauty ingredient. Hemp oil is high in antioxidants and fatty acids, but has little or no CBD in it.

What benefits do CBD and hemp oil have for the skin?

Numerous studies have found that CBD oil works as an anti-inflammatory, helping to soothe troubled or sensitive skin. According to skincare bible Paula’s Choice, it can help to fight breakouts, redness, and irritation, and reduce the production of sebum – ideal for the oily-skinned and acne-prone among us.

What’s more, a 2007 study published in the Journal of Dermatological Science found that CBD could help people with dry skin, psoriasis and eczema by slowing the overgrowth of skin cells. So really, no matter your skin type, it’s worth a go.

Hemp oil, meanwhile, is a great moisturiser – it’s non-comedogenic, meaning it will not clog pores or make your skin oily.

How does it work in makeup?

Here’s where it gets a bit more interesting. US brand Milk Makeup have really cornered the market, and their Kush mascara has been awarded cult status. They claim that cannabis seed oil conditions the lashes and helps the formula glide on perfectly, ensuring the right amount of length and volume.

Used in lip balms and primers, meanwhile, CBD and hemp oils are soothing, moisturising ingredients that plump the lips and the skin, preparing them for makeup.

What products should I try?

The aforementioned Milk Makeup Kush Mascara, £20.50 from Cult Beauty, has been heralded as a gamechanger, but they now have a whole Kush range to try, including the Kush Lip Glaze, £15. Kiehl’s new Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil Herbal Concentrate, €44, is a facial oil designed to calm redness and balance angry skin. The Inkey List’s Hemp Oil cream moisturiser, €11.50, will be great for dehydrated, oily skin.

Would you give cannabis-infused beauty products a try?

Tags:

• cbd beauty
• cbd oil
• hemp oil