Welcome to the era of CBD-infused beauty. Thanks to slackening cannabis laws all over the country (medical marijuana is now legal in 29 states and recreational weed in nine), plus an accompanying giddiness surrounding CBD in the research community, more and more beauty and wellness brands are rolling out CBD-infused body oils, face serums, even makeup. Add to that to celebrity CBD endorsements from the likes of Alessandra Ambrosio and Olivia Wilde, as well as the launch of weed-chic brands like Hora Skincare and Lord Jones, and we find ourselves neck-deep in a CBD revolution.
But what is CBD exactly, and why is everyone putting it in beauty products? CBD (short for cannabidiol) is one of over six dozen extracts from the cannabis sativa plant. So is THC, which gets you high—CBD doesn't. What CBD does, according to new research, is offer a number of antioxidant, anti-aging, anti-bacterial, anti-pain, and anti-inflammatory properties(which can be useful for everything from muscle pain to eczema to acne—CBD oil is non-comedogenic). CBD is also shown to contain omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which provide moisture and protection from sun damage.
Because of all these enticing beauty benefits, and so many cool new launches, I decided to try all the buzziest CBD products I could get my hands on, all in one week. Curious about CBD beauty? So was I. Keep scrolling to read my reviews of eight CBD-infused body lotions, lip balms, face masks, and more.
This was actually the first-ever CBD product I tried—the product that got me curious about CBD beauty in the first place. The folks from Kush Queen (one of the OG cannabis brands to hit the market) came into the Byrdie office and gave me a mini massage using this super cooling, almost out-of-body relaxing balm. I've been using it post-workout on sore muscles ever since. Throughout my CBD-centric week, I also partook in some of the brand's other goodies—they make super relaxing bath bombs and a line of lubes (including a THC-infused one. I, ahem, highly recommend).