Happy holihaze, lovelies :)
In light of today's festivities (pun intended), I figured that I would talk about the plant that has the rest of today's news behind a smoke screen. While the act of consuming cannabis itself may be a controversial topic for some, I am not here to discuss my opinions regarding THC itself, which is the chemical compound in cannabis that actually gets you high. Instead, I'm here to discuss marijuana itself: what it is, a (very) short history on the origin/controversy behind it, and how it has affected the skincare/cosmetic industries. Along the way, I'll be sure to tag some cool skincare and makeup products (or influencers) who might be of interest, but this serves as your general 411 for all things Mary Jane.
Before we get to the fun part, though, we of course have to learn a little bit.
The Facts
According to sources, (see below), cannabis is an herb that has a recorded use dating back to 2800 BC. Its primary source of origin is theorized to be in central Asia where it was mainly used for healing properties; from there, it was traced through ancient Hindu, Assyrian, Greek, and Roman medicinal textbooks, being used to treat several different ailments. Fast forwarding to when America began the cultivation of cannabis in the early 1600s, hemp was widely cultivated in order to use its fibers for rope and other fabrics/tools. Generally, although it was rumored that some cultures knew about the ~uplifting~ feelings that hemp could cause, it was mainly used throughout most of history for treating sicknesses. It wasn't until the early 1900s, in fact, that the United States officially criminalized marijuana, establishing the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 to limit hemp possession to strictly industrial uses.
In the late 1970s, things didn't necessarily change for the better; the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 repealed the MTA, instead classifying marijuana as a drug with a high potential for abuse. On top of this, the onslaught of stereotypes caused an even more negative light. Soon, marijuana began being labeled as a "gateway drug," being featured in D.A.R.E. programs. Although it began to slowly be decriminalized and allowed for strict medicinal use (s/o to California for being the first state to legalize marijuana through the Compassionate Use Act of 1996), the heavily politicized nature of the drug caused a large stigma for its users. Oftentimes, marijuana users were (and still are) labelled as criminals, lazy drug addicts, or rebels among more conservative groups.
As the laws surrounding marijuana usage have adjusted to the new social climate, and as more research has supported the use of marijuana for medical benefits, the potted plant has continued to maintain its controversial reputation. On one hand, marijuana has began to be more accepted within the public eye; dispensaries are opening up left and right in both urban cities and smaller suburbs; and, both CBD and THC have been seen in various skincare products and creative culinary projects. On the other hand, though, stereotypes have not decreased for certain (more melanated) demographics; additionally, while work is being done in some areas to reverse the negative consequences of prior marijuana possession, other parts of the U.S. still have some work to do. The laws are changing rapidly as society continues to develop and marijuana becomes more of a commonality in every day life; however, let's hope that an uninformed passerby doesn't blow your next high.
Now that we've covered the politics surrounding marijuana, let's go back a step and talk about how it relates to skincare (my favorite!).
Hemp, Hemp, Hooray! (The Fun)
Let's take a deeper look into why hemp (particularly in the form of CBD or hemp seed oil) has been appearing more and more in the skincare industry.
To go in order, we can start with Cannabidiol (CBD). CBD is another compound found in cannabis plants, much like its more popular sibling, Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Now, don't get confused; CBD is not the compound in cannabis plants that produce the psychoactive feelings that can result from consuming recreational marijuana. While they are both found in the same plant, CBD is not psychoactive, meaning that you can have some of the other, non-criminalized benefits of the cannabis plant without worrying about a drug test for work. While it is used in ointments, tinctures, and other formulas for pain relieving effects, CBD is also popularly found in cosmetics. The concrete effects of CBD for the skin have not been fully reported; however, there have been studies that have discovered CBD to produce an anti-inflammatory effect on the skin when used consistently. Unfortunately, this means that it isn't conclusive whether or not CBD has a significant effect on the skin's progress. While it has been reported that the cannabinoid has other topical effects (outside of cosmetics) where it can be beneficial, there hasn't yet been any conclusive evidence for any cosmetic benefit.
I guess this means that unless you're dealing with any chronic facial pain/spasms, it's not the most necessary, at least not until we find more conclusive evidence in cosmetic research. Sorry guys :/
BUT, let's talk about hemp seed oil itself! While hemp does contain these cannabinoids, along with others, it is certainly used for more than pain or recreational relaxation. Hemp seed oil itself does have a concentration of CBD in it, but it is also packed with omega-6 and omega-3 fats, which are fats that improve hydration and regulate oil production in the skin. Additionally, hemp seed oil contains all nine amino acids, which can promote the repairing of skin damage and other antioxidant benefits. While it's properties usually receive most of the hype, hemp seed oil itself needs more accolades.
I know that I've personally used hemp seed oil; not only did I use to have my own homemade oil cleanser containing the oil, but I used it quite a bit during the winter to seal the moisture into my skin after I got out of the shower. I can absolutely attest to its benefits; though I struggle significantly with dry, flaky skin in the winter, my after-shower skin would be soft and radiant. The moisturizing factor is absolutely there, and it made my previous experience of constant dryness a thing of the past. It's definitely going to be in my mind to keep a bottle of hemp oil in my winter skincare roster, and you might want to consider adding it to your routine if you would like an extra hydrating helper.
After a bit of digging, here are some interesting ingredients that I plan on adding to my "to try" list:
All in all, though, I hope that this served as your introduction to cosmetic cannabis. I would love to hear if any new studies have developed that I'm unaware of, or if you've had any specific experiences with hemp! Hopefully, your skin loves it as much as mine does.
Until I hear from you, though, I hope you have a Happy 4/20 (whatever that means to you), and I'll catch you guys later!
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Sources used:
“Cannabis (Drug).” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, April 9, 2022. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabis_(drug)#History.
Contributors, WebMD Editorial. “Is Hemp Oil Good for You? Pros and Cons, Nutrition Information, and More.” WebMD. WebMD. Accessed April 14, 2022. https://www.webmd.com/diet/hemp-oil-good-for-you.
“History of Cannabis.” Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics. The University of Sydney. Accessed April 14, 2022. https://www.sydney.edu.au/lambert/medicinal-cannabis/history-of-cannabis.html#:~:text=The%20use%20of%20cannabis%20originated,father%20of%20Chinese%20medicine)%20pharmacopoeia.
History.com Editors. “Marijuana.” History.com. A&E Television Networks, May 31, 2017. https://www.history.com/topics/crime/history-of-marijuana.
Lawson, Kimberly. “Harmful Stereotypes about Marijuana Consumers Persist in the Media, Study Finds.” Marijuana Moment, September 9, 2019. https://www.marijuanamoment.net/harmful-stereotypes-about-marijuana-consumers-persist-in-the-media-study-finds/.
NOTE: Other sources referenced are linked directly within the text.