3 Questions to Ask When Shopping for Cannabis-Infused Beauty Products

In other words, there are many reasons why someone might want to add cannabis to their beauty and lifestyle products. The real question is: which ones appeal to you?

What should you look for when purchasing cannabis beauty or lifestyle products?

Before you jump into purchasing a beauty or lifestyle product that includes cannabis, you might want to ask yourself a few questions. Not all products are alike, and some might be better for you than others (or just better in general). Here are a few questions to consider as you start your purchasing process.

1. What are you using your cannabis product for?

People use cannabis for so many different reasons. Depending on what you are using it for, you might want to try a different product. For example, if you are looking for a beauty and skin product with ingredients to boost your natural beauty and keep your skin healthy, you might look for something with hemp seed oil so you can take advantage of those fatty acids and vitamins.

On the other hand, if you are looking for relaxation or pain relief, you might want something that packs a little more power - like THC or CBD. Consumables with these chemicals are best if you want to get a full body effect from your cannabis. But to avoid any unpleasant highs, start low with dosing (around 2.5-5 mg’s) and slowly increase until you find the ideal dose for your needs.

In general, if you have something specific in mind for your cannabis product, do a little research on what types of cannabis products might be best for your needs. Then, when you do pick out that perfect product - you’ll know it is exactly what you wanted.

2. Does your cannabis product include THC?

Another question to consider is whether your product contains any THC. THC is a highly psychoactive chemical that is largely responsible for the characteristic ‘high’ associated with cannabis. It is also more strictly regulated than other byproducts of cannabis. Before you use anything with THC, make sure it is legal to use in your area.

If this is a consumable product (or even something like lip balm that might get into your mouth), you need to understand that it may alter your experience in ways that may temporarily impact your functionality and make you feel high. If you do want to try out THC, start with a low dose and prepare for a big mental shift until you get used to its effects. Plan to be in a safe space where you don’t need to drive, and are around those you trust. It can be a disorienting experience - although often a very enjoyable one.

If THC is in a topical product, it will likely not impact your functionality or make you feel high — but in rare cases sensitive patients report feeling high from topicals with THC. And certain types of topicals, like patches or water soluble products may cause the average person to feel high.

If feeling high isn’t what you are looking for, opt for CBD or hemp-seed oil products instead.

3. Has your cannabis product been lab tested for purity and potency?

The final, and perhaps most important question to ask yourself is whether the product has been tested for purity and potency. Most cannabis products in states with legal cannabis programs have to be tested by a third party lab to make sure they don’t contain any contaminants - and do contain the cannabis they advertise. But CBD and hemp products are not regulated in this way. Some studies show as high as 60% of these products are mislabeled and don’t contain the CBD they claim they do. And there is no one checking these products to ensure they aren’t tainted with pesticides, heavy metals or other contaminants.

That’s why buying CBD products from a trusted source is important, and the best way brands can build trust is by having their products tested by an independent lab. Do a little investigation before you buy. Many brands now offer copies of the lab tests for their products. This can offer you a little peace of mind that you are consuming a safe and accurately labeled product.