by Katie Shapiro
Senior Contributor Vices

Whether you live in one of the world’s colder regions or are planning a ski vacation this season, the dry air that comes with winter — especially at higher altitudes — can take an extreme toll on your skin. As cannabis-infused products continue to take the beauty industry by storm, one lesser-known secret is that the plant can provide serious moisture, relief and protection against the damaging effects of the elements.

Despite new lines continually hitting the shelves at the likes of Sephora, there is still a lack of recent research and dermatologists have yet to publicly back brands. What we do know? The most common ingredient is hemp seed oil in the form of CBD extract, which is known to provide natural anti-inflammatory properties.

Dr. Jeanette Jacknin called hemp “the new cosmeceutical ingredient” during her “Hemp and Cannabinoids for Beauty and Skin Disorders” presentation at the American Academy of Dermatology’s annual meeting earlier this year. And now with the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill, which if signed by the president, will remove hemp from the Controlled Substances Act and make it a legal agricultural commodity again, the floodgates will fully open to the beauty and wellness industries. 

While legislation progress is already underway, co-founder of L’Eela CBD Bodycare Amy Andrle explains, “Until cannabis as a whole is legalized on a federal level, a conflict of interest and hesitation to go on the record will remain for board certified doctors.”

Also a co-owner of the award-winning organic cultivator and retail dispensary L’Eagle Services in Denver and board member of the Cannabis Certification Council, Andrle is obviously a proponent for all-natural skincare products.

“Everyone’s composition is different, but in a lot of cases, skin can get worse when prescribed high concentrations of chemicals through traditional medicine,” says Andrle.

“One reason CBD-infused skincare is more effective is because hemp molecules are extremely small, making the penetration into the skin far easier than most creams,” according to Dr. Andrew Kerklaan, president and founder of Dr. Kerklaan Therapeutics.

Known for a rigorous triple-lab-testing process, Kerklaan drew on more than 20 years as a internationally-renowned chiropractor to combine both pain relief and healing properties into his product line, which he launched in 2017. “I’m hopeful that once we see regulatory things change, there will be more opportunity for more research and regulation in the sector. There are a lot of products getting produced that are over promising and under delivering, using irresponsibly sourced hemp,” says Kerklaan.

Until then, cannabis companies are only able to rely on customer feedback. Kerklaan says it’s compelling enough, citing the before and after photos he receives from around the world almost daily.

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