Plant oils have Sun Protection Factor (SPF) and antioxidants!

Have you burned yet?

Studies have shown cannabis oil to be an effective treatment for burn/wound healing, and therapy for a variety of skin disorders. I’ve used cannabis oil of many different kinds to treat lots of different wounds from cuts and suspicious moles, to burns from the rig and just regular sunburn; it heals significantly better and faster than anything in the drugstore. Many people have also cured skin cancer with (whole flower) cannabis oil; it’s easy to document the process.

The CB2 receptor is expressed in the skin cells of healing wounds and plays a functional role in inflammation, fibrosis, and cell proliferation. This 2016 study found that selective CB2R agonists improve wound healing by reducing inflammation and scarring, and by accelerating skin regrowth. The CB2 receptor can also be stimulated naturally with cannabis oil which treats burns in mice.

Cannabis-infused olive oil spray

I suspect (but haven’t found any data yet) that cannabis oil (from the flower), hemp seed oil, and isolated cannabinoids also have sun protection factor. Regardless, cannabis oil can be used as sun aftercare (along with things like aloe vera) and to keep the skin hydrated throughout the day.

There is a little bit of data on the spf of other plant oils. For example, olive oil and coconut oil absorb about 20-30% of the sun’s UV rays. In terms of SPF, coconut oil has an SPF of about 7 and olive oil has an SPF of about 8.

Many other plant oils share this low, natural spf, and other medicinal properties like antioxidants, hydrating effects, and anti-skin cancer and anti-aging properties, take a look at the links below. Zinc oxide and titanium oxide cream are forms of physical sun block if you need higher spf but want to stay more natural.

This summer I’m using cannabis-infused olive oil

for skin hydration and SPF (in a convenient spray bottle, see above). I should look into that cream, and I would love to also get an aloe vera house plant! :)