Marijuana-derived skin care most often features cannabidiol (CBD) and hemp seed oil. These formulas are not substitutes for sunscreen, but they can complement a daily routine that starts with broad-spectrum SPF. Dermatology guidance is consistent: pick sunscreens labeled “broad spectrum,” SPF 30 or higher, and water resistant; those are the non-negotiables for preventing sunburn, photoaging, and some skin cancers.
Where marijuana-adjacent ingredients may add value is in post-sun recovery. In preclinical models, CBD shows anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity—mechanisms relevant to reducing visible redness, supporting barrier repair, and neutralizing excess reactive oxygen species generated by UV exposure. A 2024 review of CBD in cosmetic dermatology highlights moisturizing, anti-inflammatory, wound-modulating, and anti-oxidative potential for topical use, while also noting that large, well-controlled human trials are still limited.
Early lab research hints at photoprotective effects at the cellular level. In human keratinocyte and murine models, CBD reduced UVB-induced oxidative damage and modulated stress-response pathways. Practically, that suggests CBD-containing after-sun serums or creams may help blunt the “afterburn” cascade of free radicals and inflammatory mediators that continues for hours after sun exposure. These findings are promising but preliminary, and they do not mean CBD prevents skin cancer or replaces sunscreen.
Biology offers a rationale for these effects. The skin’s endocannabinoid system (ECS)—including endocannabinoids like anandamide and 2-AG and their receptors—is abundant in the epidermis, where it influences keratinocyte turnover, sebum output, itch, and immune tone. By interacting with this network, topical cannabinoids may help nudge UV-stressed skin back toward homeostasis. Meanwhile, emollient carriers such as hemp seed oil replenish barrier lipids to ease tightness and dryness after sun and saltwater.
Two practical rules keep this category grounded. First, sunscreen comes first. Apply it generously and reapply every two hours or after swimming/sweating, choosing products that meet broad-spectrum, SPF 30+, and water-resistant criteria. Second, know the regulatory line: in the United States, only specific UV filters are recognized as active drug ingredients for sunscreens; CBD and hemp oils are not on that list. Any product marketed for “SPF” must rely on FDA-recognized actives, with cannabis ingredients serving as cosmetic adjuncts for comfort and recovery.
What to shop for: marijuana-infused after-sun products that combine CBD with humectants (glycerin, hyaluronic acid), barrier lipids (ceramides), and soothing adjuncts (aloe, panthenol, niacinamide). These blends can visibly calm, rehydrate, and support barrier repair following incidental sun exposure. Patch-test new products, especially on sensitive or compromised skin.
Bottom line: use cannabinoid-infused skincare as a complementary step in a sun-smart routine—protect with sunscreen and clothing, then soothe and replenish with CBD-forward after-sun care for healthier-looking skin the day after.