How to Make Cannabis Infused Oils and Butters for Skincare & Edibles

Whether you’re making a soothing skin balm or a batch of edibles, it all starts with cannabis infused oils and butters. Oils and butters carry cannabinoids like THC and CBD into the body, through either the skin or the gut. This guide covers all the steps, from decarbing your flower to selecting the right carrier oil and infusing it effectively for optimal results. No filler, no fluff, just everything you need to do it right the first time.

Why Use Cannabis Infused Oils and Butters?

Cannabis infused oils and butters are versatile and effective for both skincare and edible use. For skin, they help calm inflammation, relieve muscle tension, and support barrier repair. In food, they allow cannabinoids to be absorbed through digestion, offering long-lasting effects.

Oil is an ideal carrier for cannabis because cannabinoids are fat-soluble. Butters and fats can also be used, but they’re harder to strain and store, especially for beginners.

What You’ll Need to Get Started

If you’re new to cannabis, consider reading about the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties of cannabidiol from the National Institutes of Health. It’s not commercial, and it’s written with clarity and evidence in mind.

• Cannabis: trim, flower, or kief.
  
  
• Oil or butter: Olive oil, Coconut oil, MCT oil, Shea oil, butter, or ghee, etc.
  
  
• Equipment: oven, double boiler or slow cooker, cheesecloth or fine sieve, glass jars.
  
  
• Optional: Magical Butter, Ardent Nova, and Levo II.
  
  
• Best Choice: POT by NOIDS. It offers optimal accuracy for decarboxylation and infusion, maximizing your cannabis use with minimal waste.

Step 1: Decarboxylate Your Cannabis

Decarboxylation activates cannabinoids, transforming THCA into THC and CBDA into CBD. If you skip this, your oil won’t have much effect. Need a deeper dive into why decarbing matters? Leafly’s guide to decarboxylation offers an evidence-backed explanation.

Oven Method:

• Preheat oven to 110°C (230°F).
  
• Break cannabis into small pieces and spread it on a parchment-lined tray.
  
• Bake for 30 to 45 minutes, stirring once.

Other options include:

• The Ardent Nova or FX: fully automated.
  
• Sous vide: a precise cooking method, but it requires vacuum-sealed bags.
  
• POT by NOIDS or Levo II: combo devices for decarbing and infusion with precise control and minimal smell.

Step 2: Choosing Oils and Butters

• For skincare: Olive oil, Marula oil, Meadowfoam Seed oil, Jojoba oil (gentle and stable).
  
  
• For edibles: Coconut oil, ghee, MCT oil (high fat content).
  
  
• Avoid direct butter infusions if you’re straining by hand, as they re-solidify and clog filters.

Step 3: How to Infuse Cannabis into Oils and Butters

Stovetop or Bain Marie Method:

• Combine decarbed cannabis and oil (e.g, 3g cannabis to 100g oil).
  
• Simmer gently in a double boiler for 2–3 hours (keep under 100°C).
  
• Stir occasionally.

Slow Cooker:

• Set on low, infuse for 3 to 6 hours.
  
• Place cannabis and oil directly in the pot or in a sealed jar within a water bath.

Magical Butter / Levo / Ardent FX / POT by NOIDS:

• Follow device instructions. Usually 1 to 2 hours for infusion.
  
• POT by NOIDS offers full temp/time control and sealed odour-reduction, making it ideal for making cannabis infused oils and butters at home.

*As an POT by NOIDS affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases

Step 4: Strain, Store, and Use Safely

• Strain your cannabis infused oils and butters through a cheesecloth or fine mesh sieve while warm.
  
• Don’t squeeze the plant material as it adds bitterness.
  
• Store in airtight glass jars away from light and heat.
  
• For skincare: do a patch test before use.

Dosing Tips for Skincare and Edibles

• Skincare: Start low. You don’t need much. 1mg to 2mg cannabinoids per gram of product is plenty.
  
• Edibles: Estimate dose using a basic formula (e.g, 1g of 15% THC flower = 150mg THC total).
  
• Always label homemade products clearly.

Cannabis Dosage Calculator

What to Make Next

Here are a few beginner-friendly recipes you can try right now from the website.

• Pumpkin Seed Body Oil – nourishing and lightweight, great after bathing.
  
  
• Solid Facial Oil with Mango Butter – melts into the skin, ideal for dry or mature skin.
  
  
• Cannabis Muscle Rub #1 – warming balm with infused oils for aches and tension.
  
  
• Shea Butter & Cannabis Body Butter – a thick, rich blend for dry or flaky skin.
  
  
• Emulsified Cannabis Lotion Bar – a solid bar that softens on contact with skin.
  
  
• CBD Massage Candle – melts into a warm, soothing oil for massage or night time rituals.
  
  
• Conditioning Lotion Bar for Skin & Hair – multi-use solid bar for dry patches and flyaways.
  
  
• Easy Vegan Cannabis Gummies – simple, fruit-based edible recipe.
  
  
• Space Cakes & Weed Brownies – classic baked edible for reliable results.
  
  
• DIY Cannabis Foot Cream with Urea – exfoliating and hydrating for cracked heels.

These recipes are already formulated with cannabis and are ideal for putting your infused oils to immediate use. If you liked this guide and want proven recipes for body butters, suppositories, lip care, massage candles, and edibles, this book Off Your Face Creams is your next step.

Conclusion

Making your own cannabis infused oils and butters puts you in full control of quality, strength, and purpose, whether for skincare or cooking. Once you’ve mastered the process, you can adapt it to fit almost any recipe. Stick to good decarbing practices, choose the right oil for your end use, and always store your infusions well. With that foundation, you’ve got everything you need to get creative.

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*As an POT by NOIDS affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.