Natural skincare is a hot topic these days, and for good reason. The skin is the body’s largest organ. It provides the first line of defense against the environment, gives the body the ability to sense temperature, and protects it from potentially harmful pathogens and bacteria. With such big responsibilities, why not treat your skin to the ultimate botanical luxury—homemade CBD cream?
CBD salves and lotions are all the rage on the skincare scene. But, you don’t have to pay a fortune to reap the benefits of this potent natural medicine. Short for cannabidiol, CBD is a medicinal compound found in the cannabis plant. Sold around the U.S. and Canada as hemp oil supplements, this natural remedy may have some serious benefits for the skin, from treating inflammation to reducing acne.
And surprisingly, making your own lotions and creams is easy. After a little preparation, you can have a fresh batch of your very own infused topicals within an hour. Just follow Herb’s step-by-step guide below.
Benefits of CBD Lotion Recipe
With strong antioxidant and soothing properties, cannabis makes for an excellent addition to homemade skincare products. Whether you’re hoping to make your own homemade pain cream or simply want to take advantage of the herb’s rejuvenating nature, there are many reasons to add a little herb into your morning routine.
Anti-Aging CBD Cream
There are two primary types of skin aging: intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic aging is inevitable, as the skin naturally changes with age. As you grow older, the skin becomes softer and you begin to lose collagen fibers and elasticity. While modern inventions like Botox and other skin care technologies seek to remedy the situation, those hoping to discover the fountain of youth may have to wait a while.
Extrinsic aging, however, is something that each individual can influence. Extrinsic aging refers to external factors like environment, pollution, UV radiation, and beauty routines. Over time, these outside factors can cause damage to the skin, leading to sunspots, redness, acne, and all-around wear and tear. It is impossible to avoid all forms of extrinsic aging, however, your daily care routine, lifestyle, and diet can all make a difference.
Extrinsic aging is where cannabis skincare comes in handy, especially creams and products infused with CBD. The cannabis compound is a potent antioxidant. In fact, a patent held by the U.S. government states that cannabinoids like CBD may be more potent antioxidants than vitamins C and E.
Antioxidants are natural remedies for free-radical damage. Free-radicals are produced naturally by the body and can contribute to aging over time. Free radicals, however, are also produced by exposure to pollution, UV radiation, and other toxicants that are now commonplace in daily life. Needless to say, exposure to too many free radicals does not make for healthy skin. The antioxidant potential of CBD may make it a wonderful tool for protecting skin as it ages.
CBD Cream for Inflammation
There is a growing body of evidence that suggests that cannabis compounds may pave the way for a new wave of anti-inflammatory drugs in the future. Early in 2018, researchers even found that CBD successfully eased inflammation in an experimental model of allergic dermatitis.
Simply stated, the cannabis compound reduced inflammation and swelling caused by an allergic rash. The study provided the first scientific evidence that CBD may be useful for the treatment of inflammatory skin conditions, easing discomfort and calming the immune system.
CBD Cream for Pain
CBD and other cannabis compounds are natural analgesics. As it turns out, these natural medicines may be particularly effective for easing symptoms of inflammatory pain. When applied topically, CBD lotions and body creams may be able to reduce pain in a localized region. Unlike consuming CBD oil orally, topical CBD does not penetrate the bloodstream.
Instead, the hemp oil works most of its magic on the surface of the skin. Many consumers with arthritic pain find that cannabis topicals are useful for easing pain and tension on joints. In these cases, topical CBD creams work best on joints that are closer to the skin, like the wrists, elbows, and knees. (Here’s Herb’s full explainer on the best CBD oil for pain.)
Life can sometimes be a pain in the neck. Fortunately there are many plant allies that can help soothe sore muscles and joints. This CBD-rich balm is meant to penetrate into deeper tissues– with help from natural plant-based permeability enhancers– to help ease pain.
How to Make Your Own CBD Cream At Home
This CBD body cream has a thick, whipped consistency and is ideal for dry and damaged skin. An ultra-moisturizing body lotion, this cream uses nutrient-dense shea butter to soothe and soften inflamed skin. It also contains aloe vera gel—which has long been used to help heal sunburns and ease irritation—and vegetable glycerine—which draws water to the skin and maintains hydration.
This CBD lotion recipe uses CBD oil, which can be purchased around the U.S. and Canada. However, those hoping to add some THC to the mixture can follow the exact same steps. If you already have your own cannabis-infused coconut oil for cooking, that same oil can be used in this recipe instead of concentrated CBD oil. Homemade skincare is incredibly versatile. Once you have a basic template down, you can easily make adjustments to fit your individual needs.
Equipment
- Kitchen scale
- Spice/coffee grinder
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Spatula
- Double boiler and/or crockpot
- Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth
- One medium and several small glass jars for finished oil and topicals, preferably amber or other dark colors for the smaller jars
Ingredients
- I/2 cup CBD topical base oil
- 1 tablespoon shea butter
- 2-3 tablespoons beeswax pellets, or clean beeswax, chopped fine
- 1 tablespoon menthol crystals (to enhance absorption and effect)
- 6 drops eucalyptus essential oil
- 6 drops camphor oil
Directions
- Make CBD topical base oil.
- Warm CBD topical oil in a double boiler until just warm.
- Add shea butter, beeswax and menthol crystals and stir until dissolved.
- Remove from heat and let cool until lukewarm.
- Add essential oils and stir until thoroughly mixed.
- Pour into small glass jars, label, date and store in a cool, dark place.
Apply liberally to affected areas and rub in until completely absorbed. Use as needed. Discontinue if irritation or allergic reaction occurs.
Other home remedy recipes
- CBD Topical Base Oil
- Anti-Itch Cream
- Antibiotic Salve
- Inflammation & Pain Tincture
- Sleep Aid Tincture
- Stress Relief Tincture
I don’t get it, why not buy the real thing? Amount of time, effort, and money to make homemade is more than purchasing from a shop. There’s some amazing cbd creams out there for a pretty cheap price.