Photo by Ruben Ramirez

 

Summer is here, and we hope you’re enjoying the fresh air and sunshine as much as we are. But with sun exposure comes the risk of skin damage, so it’s important to be equipped with everything you need to keep your skin healthy. 

So, besides using sunscreen to protect your skin, what healing botanical ingredients are best for nourishing your skin during the summer months? 

 

1. Cannabis

Our specialty at Green Bee Botanicals is cannabis skincare, and for good reason. Tens of thousands of plants are known to science for their medicinal and healing properties — they’re why our founder is a botanist and all of our products are plant-based. But the cannabis plant is a whole other level of amazing. 

You can read more about why cannabis is good for your skin in the blog on the human endocannabinoid system (ECS), but in a nutshell, cannabinoids — the active ingredients in cannabis — synch with our ECS to help maintain the body’s natural state of homeostasis, which is a fancy way of saying “balanced and healthy.” Cannabinoids are also known anti-inflammatory and antioxidant powerhouses that can soothe redness and sunburns. 

We use proprietary blends of cannabis oil in our products that contain a full spectrum of cannabinoids: CBD, THC, plus THCv, CBDv, CBG, CBN and CBC. Our face serums and eye cream are wonderfully moisturizing and protective for your face. Additionally, our Deep Calm Massage and Body Oil is perfect for soothing sunburn, sore muscles after summer workouts, and even mosquito bites with the calming boost from calendula and comfrey.

 

2. Vitamin C (the right form!)

Research shows that vitamin C is essential for collagen biosynthesis, and topical use of it can improve the quality of and increase production of collagen in both young and aged skin. Increased collagen means tighter, plumper skin, and to boot, may reduce the appearance of wrinkles. 

Vitamin C is also scientifically proven to lighten and brighten skin. Because it can impede melanin production, vitamin C is especially good at healing sun spots, age spots, acne scars, and melasma (aka hyperpigmentation, the overproduction of melanin). 

Pure vitamin C (“ascorbic acid” in ingredient lists), is not oil soluble and is notoriously unstable. If your vitamin C product turns brown, it means it has oxidized and now contains free radicals, the exact opposite of what you want for your beautiful skin!

Both of our cannabis-infused face serums contain tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, a stable and oil-soluble form of vitamin C that researchers say is more effective for skin because its fatty acid component helps aid penetration. 

 

3. Botanicals

Combined with cannabinoids from the cannabis plant, other natural antioxidant-rich and anti-inflammatory botanicals are ideal for addressing photodamage from the sun, freckles, sun spots, and discoloration. They also soothe and protect skin that’s been overexposed to the elements.

Some of the most nourishing, antioxidant-rich, and anti-inflammatory ingredients we use in Green Bee products include: 

Basil: smooths and protects skin and kills bacteria | more
Blue tansy: has especially soothing, calming anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial  properties; antioxidant powerhouse | more
Caffeine: anti-inflammatory and antioxidant that fights skin-damaging free radicals, boosts circulation, firms, and reduces puffiness and the appearance of dark circles under the eyes | more
Calendula: hydrates skin, aids in wound healing, and heals sun damage | more
Chamomile: relieves and soothes skin irritation | more
Comfrey: helps soothe and soften skin | more
Frankincense: aids in healing and repairing damaged skin | more
Lavender: soothes and protects skin | more 
Tea tree oil: reduces inflammation, redness, and swelling | more
Vitamin E: softens skin, helps repair sun damage, and pairs beautifully with vitamin C | more

 

Some antioxidants also serve to rejuvenate collagen and minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. 

“Not all antioxidants will boost collagen production, but they will help the collagen that is present to do the best job it can” – Medical News Today 

When you’re spending a lot of time in the sun, it’s so important to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant-rich skincare as part of your self-care routine. If you do get too much sun, treat your skin to a soothing cannabis facial or massage. 

Photo by Daniel Lincoln on Unsplash

 

4. Non-Comedogenic Oils

In addition to cannabis oil, other naturally non-comedogenic oils are wonderful for your skin. Non-comedogenic means they won’t clog your pores, but they will deliver soothing, moisturizing nourishment to dry or inflamed skin. They’re also great for skin that’s prone to breakouts, as well as for our skin when we sweat more, which we tend to do in the summer.

Non-comedogenic oils act as carriers for all the organic essential oils and botanical extracts we use. Some non-comedogenic oils we love and use in Green Bee products include:

Argan oil 
Avocado oil
Jojoba oil
Olive oil
Sunflower oil

 

5. Shea Butter 

Shea butter is an ultra-hydrating skincare ingredient that’s great for restoring moisture to dry, parched skin. If you’re prone to dry skin or peeling after a sunburn, using shea butter is a luxurious way to seal moisture into your skin. Our eye cream contains just the right amount of soothing shea butter to pamper the delicate skin around your eyes, lips, and neck.

 

Take Your Summer Skin from “Oof!” to “Ahh” with Cannabis Skincare

Cannabis-infused skincare is a naturally healing, soothing way to care for your summer skin, both before and after sun. At Green Bee Botanicals, each of our cannabis skincare products is formulated to protect and heal your skin in many ways and for all seasons, but especially for summer. 

Need to revamp your skincare routine this summer? We can help. You can find Green Bee products in 60+ dispensaries across California. Click here to find one near you. (21+ only.)