Make Cannabis Body Lotion at Home With CBD or THC

This cannabis body lotion formula is the one I actually use. It’s a proper emulsion: stable, light, and absorbs well. Not a whipped butter or oil blend, but a true lotion made with water, emulsifiers, and preservatives. It’s ideal for blending CBD, THC, or both into a skin-nourishing base that feels good and works hard. If you’re making topicals at home and want something beyond the basics, this is the place to start.

This cannabis lotion is one example of a more advanced topical because it uses an emulsion rather than a simple oil-and-wax balm. For the wider formulation picture, my main guide to cannabis topicals explains how lotions, creams, balms, infused oils, emulsifiers and preservatives all fit together.

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I make my own skincare because I like knowing exactly what has gone into it. Growing my own cannabis means I can choose the plant material, the carrier oil and whether I want an infusion that leans towards CBD, THC or a bit of both. I keep notes as I go, because there is nothing more annoying than making a lovely batch and then forgetting how you did it.

Good ingredients still matter. I use cannabis I know and trust, along with cosmetic ingredients from suppliers who provide proper documentation. Laws around CBD, THC and home extraction vary, so check the current rules where you live before you begin.

For me, the pleasure is in having control over the finished lotion. I can choose the infused oil, adjust the feel of the base and select essential oils to suit what I want from that batch. It is proper formulation, but it is also personal, practical and very satisfying to make.

The Benefits of Cannabis in Topicals

Most people do not make cannabis lotion because they are short of ordinary moisturiser. They make it because they want cannabis in the formula. CBD and THC are both used in topicals, particularly on areas that feel sore, tight or uncomfortable, and plenty of people swear by them. I enjoy working with both, but they are not magic ingredients and they do not behave in exactly the same way. Research into topical cannabinoids is still developing, so I am happy to share what we know, what I have experienced and what is still uncertain.

What the Research Says About Pain and Inflammation

Cannabis topicals are popular for sore muscles, stiff joints and patches of discomfort. That is how many people use them, and I understand the appeal because I use them myself. Human research has not caught up with that enthusiasm yet, and the result can vary with the cannabinoid, strength, base formula and amount applied. What feels wonderful to one person may do very little for another.

When I make an infused oil with the POT by NOIDS, I choose the plant material depending on whether I want CBD, THC or both in the finished product. I can then use that oil in the same lotion base and judge the batch by how it feels in practice. Some topicals feel subtle, while others can be surprisingly strong. I have experienced psychoactive effects myself, which is why I start with a small amount and give it time.

What the Research Says About Skin

CBD has caught the attention of skin researchers because laboratory studies suggest it may influence sebum production and some of the inflammatory signals in the skin. That is especially interesting for oily or blemish prone skin. It does not prove that this particular lotion prevents acne, but it is a good reason to take CBD seriously as a skincare ingredient rather than dismiss it as something added for fashion.

Research into CBD for acne, eczema and psoriasis is still young, and not every extract or lotion will behave in the same way. That does not mean cannabis has no place in skincare. It means I look at the whole formula, pay attention to how my skin responds and remember that Poppy Seed Oil, Shea Butter, Glycerin and Niacinamide are doing useful work too. No single ingredient deserves all the glory.

CBD Lotion Versus THC Topicals

CBD lotion has gained popularity for its potential benefits without the psychoactive effects of THC. In this section, I’ll examine how CBD lotion compares to other THC topicals and address the legalities and availability.

Comparisons with THC-Infused Products

CBD and THC come from the same plant, but they are not the same compound. CBD is not intoxicating. THC is intoxicating, although an ordinary cannabis lotion is not automatically transdermal. How much is absorbed depends on the formula, its strength, how much you use and the condition of your skin.

The same lotion base can be made with a CBD rich or THC rich infused oil, but the finished products are not interchangeable. Changing the infused oil changes the cannabinoid profile and estimated strength. With THC, I start with a small amount and give it time before using more.

I would not judge a cannabis lotion simply by whether it was made with a CBD rich or THC rich oil. I want to know what went into the infusion, how much was used and how the finished lotion behaves on my skin. I also keep topical and transdermal clear in my mind. A topical is intended mainly for the area where it is applied, while a transdermal product is deliberately formulated to carry cannabinoids through the skin and into the bloodstream.

Legal Considerations and Availability

Cannabis law is not simple, and it depends on where you live, the type of cannabis you use and what you do with the finished lotion. CBD and THC are not treated the same everywhere. Something that is legal to possess may still be restricted when it is extracted, sold or promoted.

Do not assume a product is legal just because it came from hemp or contains only a small amount of THC. Rules on cannabinoids, homemade extracts, cosmetic ingredients, labelling and claims vary by country and sometimes by region.

If you are making the lotion for yourself, check the current local rules before you grow, buy or extract cannabis. If you plan to sell it, you must also follow the cosmetic safety, testing, labelling and notification rules wherever the product will be sold.

Ingredients Spotlight

Choosing the right ingredients is essential for creating effective and stable cannabis-based skincare products at home. I’ll guide you through the components and their functional benefits in your homemade CBD lotion.

Preparing the Cannabis-Infused Oil

My first step involves decarboxylating cannabis to activate the cannabinoids. Then, I combine it with Poppy Seed oil and gently heat the mixture to macerate it. The full method is in the blog post Olive Oil and Cannabis Infused CBD for Skin and Hair Care. Simply replace Olive oil with Poppy Seed oil. Want a finished hand cream formula you can follow by ear? Listen to the Calendula Hand Cream recipe.

Poppy Seed Oil

I find Coconut oil a little too greasy for CBD topicals, so I prefer to use other carrier oils that feel nicer and have a better essential fatty acid profile. Poppy Seed Oil (INCI: Papaver Somniferum Seed Oil) is heat-tolerant, allowing it to withstand the decarboxylation process to extract CBD. It will also be used in Stage 1 heated stage of the formulation.

Typical Fatty Acid Profile of Poppy Seed Oil

C16:0 Palmitic Acid 5% to 11%

C18:0 Stearic Acid 1% to 3%

C18:1 Oleic Acid (Omega-9) 15% to 30%

C18:2 Linoleic Acid (Omega-6) 60% to 70%

C18:3 Alpha Linolenic Acid (Omega-3) max 2%

Saponification Value mg KOH / g 163

Poppy Seed Oil for Skin Care

• It is rich in Omega-9 essential fatty acid, which reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
  
  
• It is very regenerative for damaged skin that has been in the sun too much for too many years. Dehydrated skin becomes more hydrated and flexible, eliminating flakiness and feelings of tightness.
  
  
• It calms irritation, improves radiance, and actually reduces photoageing pigmentation from solar damage.
  
  
• Elasticity is improved in your skin, leaving it feeling softer, smoother, and more supple.
  
  
• Poppy Seed oil is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin. It is also a good oil to use on irritated skin and in baby products. Its protective qualities will help protect from nappy rashes and other irritations.
  
  
• High in Linoleic Acid, an essential Omega-6 fatty acid, it deeply penetrates the skin, rejuvenating and restoring the normal function of skin cell membranes. This is important for skin that needs the protection an oil rich in antioxidants can give by targeting free radicals.
  
  
• The antioxidant quality of Poppy Seed oil tackles free radical formation and consequent free radical damage. This is important for slowing down the ageing process with more mature skin types. It has a stimulating effect on the skin with a strong lifting effect, revitalizing tired-looking and flabby skin.
  
  
• You will find that when blended with other oils, Poppy Seed oil improves the skin penetration of those oils. It is very effective in reducing Trans Epidermal Water Loss (TEWL), thus giving excellent skin hydration levels.
  
  
• The oil penetrates quickly without leaving any greasiness and leaves the skin feeling nourished and hydrated and very smooth. This makes Poppy Seed Oil ideal to use as an after-shower oil, as well as in other products.
  
  
• It effectively soothes acne and reduces the chances of future outbreaks because of its rich Omega-6 content. When used as part of an oil blend, the elegant feel of the Poppy Seed oil makes other oils feel thinner in consistency. This is a great advantage for products designed for acne-prone skin.
  
  
• Poppy Seed Oil is great for massage products because it easily absorbs into the skin. This allows you to use richer oils like Castor Oil while keeping the skin feeling toned and lifted. Use it in body sculpting products and body wraps.
  
  
• Being rich in natural tocopherols, it has a very beneficial effect on dermatitis-like skin conditions and psoriasis-prone skin.
  
  
• As it softens rough skin, White Poppy Seed Oil is a great choice for hand and foot creams.

Poppy Seed Oil for Hair Care

• Poppy Seed Oil strengthens the hair shaft, making it ideal for use after hair processing or weave removal.
  
  
• It can dramatically improve the appearance of split ends. It has no sticky after feel on the hair and does not make the hair lank.
  
  
• It makes hair softer and more flexible, making it easier to comb through whilst imparting a good shine.
  
  
• Poppy Seed Oil nourishes and moisturises both the hair shaft and scalp, making it a great choice for anti-dandruff products.

Shea Butter Benefits

Shea Butter (INCI: Butyrospermum Parkii Butter) is made from the pressed stones of the Shea Butter tree. After pressing, the butter is a dark yellow colour, which is then deodorised and filtered to enhance its shelf life. The colour also improves, becoming a pale white. I find this better than raw Shea Butter, which can go rancid quickly in a matter of weeks.

• Shea Butter is a superb emollient that is excellent for conditioning your skin. 
  
  
• It moisturises your skin and restores its elasticity.
  
  
• Shea Butter is often said to have a very low natural SPF, but it is nowhere near enough to rely on for sun protection. I use it here for its rich emollient qualities, especially on dry skin that has had a lot of sun exposure.
  
  
• It is protective and healing, especially for dry and sun-damaged skin. It contains phytosterols which stimulate the basal layer of the skin to regenerate faster, giving younger and fresher-looking skin.
  
  
• It is superb to use in hair products, especially for dry and processed hair.

Olivem® 1000 Emulsifier

I use Olivem® 1000 (INCI: Cetearyl Olivate and Sorbitan Olivate), which is a natural emulsifier from olives and RSPO certified palm oil, to create a stable emulsion that keeps water and oil mixed without separating over time. The naturally occurring fatty acids from olives are chemically very similar to the skin’s natural oils. If you want to compare it with other options, my guide to cosmetic emulsifiers for cannabis skincare explains which emulsifiers suit creams, lotions and other cannabis formulations.

It creates an Oil-in-Water (O/W) emulsion. When the emulsion is formed, it creates a liquid crystal structure that mimics the stratum corneum of the epidermis. This means the resulting emulsion penetrates the skin very easily.  As such, it can be classified as a moisturiser, as well as an emulsifier.

This non-ionic emulsifier is listed as 100% natural origin. It is PEG Free, not ethoxylated and readily biodegradable. 

Vegetable Glycerin

Vegetable Glycerin (INCI: Glycerin) is a humectant that attracts water and helps the skin stay hydrated. I use it at a modest level because too much can make the finished lotion feel sticky. Check the supplier information if you want to confirm that it comes from vegetable sources. Read more about the Benefits of Glycerin.

Xanthan Gum

Xanthan Gum (INCI: Xanthan Gum) is a thickening agent that is used to keep the emulsifier stable. It’s used in such a small amount that it doesn’t alter the product’s texture, but it keeps the oil and water emulsion stable. This means that you don’t need to add Aloe Vera gels as so many people suggest. Aloe Vera gel can be very drying on the skin. You also will not need to use beeswax, which can feel very “draggy” on the skin. Opting for a better emulsifier, such as Olivem® 1000, can help eliminate unnecessary ingredients.

Boiling Distilled Water

This is actually a really important part of the preservative system. Many preservatives are rendered less effective when they come into contact with minerals such as calcium. That’s why tap water is not a good idea. Use regular distilled water from the store.

The following ingredients are all used in the Stage 3 (Cool Down) phase of the lotion. These ingredients are heat-sensitive and are added to the emulsified cream once it has cooled below 40°C. To understand the formulation’s structure, it’s important to note that this part is added to the cream rather than being emulsified into it. That means there is a potential for more acidic ingredients to break the emulsion and cause it to split. I’ve worked everything out with this formulation, so there’s no issue. I just wanted to share this as some extra info.

Niacinamide Powder

Niacinamide (INCI: Niacinamide) is also known as Vitamin B3. It belongs to the family of B vitamins and is essential in the diet. Oral supplements are helpful, but they can cause a temporary side effect called “niacin flush”, which makes the skin feel hot and prickly for a few minutes after taking them.

This cosmetic-grade Vitamin B3 powder has very little Nicotinic Acid, preventing any flushing or prickling sensations. For external use only, it leaves the skin feeling comfortable when used in creams, lotions, gels, toners, and serums.

We use just a small amount in this formulation, but just look at the benefits it brings!

• Improves the appearance of ageing skin by stimulating new fibroblasts and collagen secretion. This is very helpful for all skin types, especially mature skin, as it reduces fine lines and wrinkles.
  
  
• It has a powerful anti-inflammatory action on acne-prone skin, reducing the severity of the eruptions. It enables acne-prone skin to behave more like normal skin types.
  
  
• It will help to rebalance the pigmentation of the skin, refine the pores, and leave a more even skin tone. It helps to give a shine-free finish to the skin.
  
  
• Excellent use in products for rosacea and age spots. It improves the resilience to external damage and reduces skin sensitivity, giving a very comfortable skin feeling.
  
  
• Very soothing to sensitive skin and can improve the appearance of hyperpigmented and photoaged skin. It also encourages the production of natural emollients in the skin which keep the skin soft and improve skin elasticity.

Saliguard® PCG

As soon as you add water to a formulation, you must include a preservative. There are a huge range of them, and some are not very nice and hard to use. Saliguard® PCG (INCI: Caprylyl Glycol (and) Phenoxyethanol (and) Propylene Glycol), is wonderful, simple to use, and adds beneficial skin qualities. You can read more about Natural Preservatives in Cosmetics.

This preservative provides broad-spectrum protection against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, yeasts and moulds. It is parabens, formaldehyde and palm free. It is synthetically produced with non-GMO materials and is suitable for use in vegan products. Although it is heat tolerant up to 60 °C, I always recommend adding it to the Stage 3 (below 40 °C) stage. It works in a wide pH range from pH 3 to pH 10. 

Preservatives can cause issues in formulations, but this one is straightforward and offers real benefits.

• Fully water-soluble.
  
  
• Has a skin conditioning effect as Caprylyl Glycol is a great humectant.
  
  
• Works well with creams and toners as well as shampoos and body washes.
  
  
• Does not change the fragrance of products.
  
  
• Does not change the colour of products.
  
  
• Prevents pH from drifting.
  
  
• It is extremely easy to use.

Essential Oils and Their Benefits

Incorporating essential oils into cannabis topicals offers not only a therapeutic aroma but also additional skin benefits. It’s important to use them sparingly to avoid irritation. In this formulation, I am using Lavender and Spearmint.

Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender oil is well known for its calming and relaxing properties, helping reduce anxiety, stress, and depression. When combined in a CBD skincare product, it has anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antiseptic, antibacterial, and antimicrobial properties. The Lavender oil in the CBD topical can be absorbed through the skin, reducing inflammation in the applied area.

Spearmint Essential Oil

Spearmint oil is known for its energy-inducing and mood-enhancing properties, making it a popular addition to CBD topicals. Its fresh, restorative fragrance helps uplift the mood and comfort emotional stress. Spearmint oil also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which can help decongest red, swollen, and itching skin.Click to read more about Spearmint Essential Oil.

Spearmint oil offers several benefits due to its key compounds: Carvone, Limonene, 1,8-cineole, and β-Myrcene. These compounds have relaxant, expectorant, carminative, diuretic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, stimulant, analgesic, anti-spasmodic, anti-viral, and antibacterial properties. You can read more about these terpenes in this blog post: 14 Top Terpenes in Cannabis and Essential Oils.

How to Make Cannabis Body Lotion

Before you start, ensure you have the right tools and equipment to make the process smooth and enjoyable. After decarboxylating your cannabis and infusing it to create CBD oil, follow these three main stages. Let me guide you through each one and share the key ingredients I use.

Formulation:

Stage 1: (above 75℃)

• 10% Cannabis-infused Poppy Seed Oil
  
  
• 2% Shea Butter
  
  
• 5% Olivem® 1000

Stage 2: (above 75℃)

• 3.5% Vegetable Glycerin
  
  
• 0.2% Xanthan Gum
  
  
• 63% Boiling Distilled Water (buy it from your local supermarket)

Stage 3: (below 40℃)

• 4% Niacinamide Powder
  
  
• 10% Distilled Water (to dissolve the powder)
  
  
• 1.5% Saliguard PCG
  
  
• 0.4% Spearmint Essential Oil
  
  
• 0.4% Lavender Essential Oil

100% Total

Method:

• Weigh all the Stage 1 (fat stage) ingredients into a heat-safe beaker and place in the bain-marie to heat up to above 75℃.
  
  
• Combine the Stage 2 Glycerin and Xanthan Gum together to make a slurry. This stops the Xanthan Gum from clumping and going lumpy.
  
  
• Add the Stage 2 slurry to the hot water in a container that fits the immersion blender / stick blender. Blend to make it smooth, with no lumps.
  
  
• Add the heated Stage 1 to the Stage 2. Stir together with a silicon spatula. It is important to do this.
  
  
• Use the immersion blender for 30 seconds, keeping it at the bottom of the container.
  
  
• Leave to stand for 1 minute. Then blend again for a further 30 seconds.
  
  
• Switch to the silicone spatula and stir the mixture until it cools down. You can use a cold water bath to accelerate the cooling.
  
  
• When the temperature is below 40℃, add the Stage 3 (heat sensitive ingredients).
  
  
• Stir thoroughly to ensure everything is evenly blended, jar and label.

Enhance your lotion with these lesser-known essential oils known for their skin benefits.

Practical Tips for Homemade CBD Lotion

In crafting homemade CBD topicals, it’s crucial to ensure proper hygienic making and storage to maximise your product’s shelf life.

Storage and Shelf Life

Modern preservatives such as Saliguard® PCG cannot rescue a lotion made with dirty equipment or handled with bare fingers. Clean and sanitise your equipment before you start, use distilled water and keep your fingers out of the finished product. A preservative works as part of a properly made formula. It does not make poor hygiene safe.

Store the lotion in clean, suitable packaging away from heat and direct sunlight. Its useful life depends on the preservative, final pH, ingredients, packaging and how well it was made. Without stability and microbial testing, I would not give a homemade lotion a guaranteed shelf life of twelve months. Make small batches, label the date and discard the product if anything changes or you are unsure about it. Products made for sale need proper testing.

Precautions and Patch Testing

Before incorporating any new topical into my regimen, I adhere to these key precautions:

• Patch Testing: I always conduct a patch test before using the lotion extensively, applying a small amount to a discreet patch of skin, and waiting 24 hours to observe any reactions.
• Usage Limitations: I avoid using the lotion on broken skin and discontinue use if I notice any irritation or adverse effects.

By respecting these guidelines, I know my CBD lotion is both safe and beneficial.

Conclusion

I’ve walked you through the process of creating a cannabis lotion at home, highlighting the importance of correct measurements, the use of high-quality ingredients, and the significance of thorough blending to achieve a consistent mixture. 

When you make CBD cannabis lotion at home, it’s a personalised experiment. Start with small batches to adjust the CBD concentration to your preference. Make notes of the formulation used and what the results were like for you. Then in the next batch, you can make changes if you want to.

Homemade bespoke cannabis skincare products can give you an amazing sense of achievement and satisfaction – as well as saving you money. By adhering to the guidance provided, I trust you’ll have the tools necessary to create a product tailored specifically to your needs. Remember, the journey is as valuable as the destination; learning and adapting are part of the process.

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