Curious about making your own CBD-infused skincare and hair care products? You’re in the right place. This post explains how to make herb-infused oil using olive oil and cannabis, benefits for skin and hair, and how to create a CBD salve at home. You’ll find a free recipe further down, so stick around if you want to know exactly what’s going on your skin.
Table of Contents
What is CBD and Why Use It?
CBD, or Cannabidiol, is a natural chemical found in cannabis and hemp plants. It won’t get you high (that’s THC’s job), but it’s well-known for its anti-inflammatory, calming, and antioxidant effects. People are turning to CBD for all sorts of things, like relieving pain and calming anxiety. The NHS in the UK has noticed this too, and it’s popping up in a bunch of beauty products for some pretty solid reasons.
Why Olive Oil and CBD Make a Great Pair
Olive oil is a staple in traditional beauty regimes and still holds its own in modern skincare. It’s rich in antioxidants, healthy fats, and vitamin E, which help moisturise, protect, and nourish both skin and hair. When you mix that with CBD’s ability to fight inflammation, you’ve got a great combo for soothing irritation, hydrating dry skin, and making your hair shiny and healthy.
The History of Olive Oil in Beauty
Olive oil has been known for its beauty benefits for a really long time. The Greeks and Egyptians used it to keep skin supple and hair conditioned. King Tut even took some with him to the afterlife. Its antioxidant content helps protect against free radical damage, making it perfect for anti-ageing. That’s why you’ll still find Olive oil in everything from simple balms to high-end creams.
What Makes Olive Oil Special?
Olive oil is rich in essential fatty acids, such as Oleic Acid (Omega-9) and Linoleic Acid (Omega-6), along with vitamin E. These components nourish the skin, repair its barrier, and retain moisture. Oleic acid slows water loss, helping your skin stay plump. Linoleic acid hydrates without greasiness, calms puffiness, and improves overall texture. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps protect your skin from damage and prolongs the shelf life of DIY oil infusions.
Typical Essential Fatty Acid Profile
- Palmitic Acid: 7% to 20%
- Oleic Acid (Omega-9): 55% to 85%
- Linoleic Acid (Omega-6): 3.5% to –21%
- Vitamin E is naturally present, helps with shelf life.
Benefits of Omega-9
- So, if you take a look, you’ll notice that this essential fatty acid with a double bond, which is also known as Oleic Acid, makes up a big chunk of the oil. This EFA is slowly and evenly absorbed by the skin.
- It is excellent for your skin because it helps your skin retain moisture and slows down skin ageing. This EFA is great for reducing wrinkles and fine lines in skin care products that fight ageing.
- Omega-9 is great for soothing and moisturising sun-kissed skin. It works well in after-sun products to provide long-lasting hydration and relief from irritation.
- Your skin’s protective barrier is shielded against oxidative stress.
- Hair growth and thickness are boosted by activating the follicle with Omega-9 fatty acids. As a result, it can grow longer and stronger, less prone to breakage and split ends.
- With regular use, dandruff will become a distant memory thanks to its nourishing properties.
- In addition to its anti-inflammatory properties, it also provides relief for sore joints and muscles by reducing stiffness and discomfort.
- Both cannabis-infused oils and terpene-rich cannabis work spectacularly well when paired together for maximum pain relief. When Omega-9 and cannabis are combined, they create a powerful synergy that can effectively relieve even severe discomfort.
Benefits of Omega-6
- Linoleic Acid, an essential fatty acid also known as Omega-6, hydrates and reduces inflammation of the skin. It absorbs easily without leaving any residue or stickiness.
- Omega-6 can improve your skin’s appearance, reducing puffiness and creating a smooth, radiant tone.
- It will improve your skin’s health and prevent fine lines and wrinkles from becoming deeply set.
- Omega-6 is important for healthy skin as it keeps it hydrated and moisturised, preventing dryness that causes irritation or flaking.
- It is effective in soothing acne breakouts and healing damaged skin cells, making the complexion smoother and more even. It will also reduce the possibility of future acne breakouts.
- With consistent use, it can effectively shrink enlarged pores, which is good for all skin types.
- Omega-6 encourages better hair growth for stronger hair less prone to breakages.
Skin and Hair Benefits of Olive Oil and CBD
Olive Oil Benefits for Skin
Olive oil is a natural moisturiser, soothing irritation and dryness. CBD amps up the anti-inflammatory effect, reducing redness and calming sensitive or acne-prone skin. The antioxidants in both help tackle premature ageing, softening fine lines and improving elasticity. If you’ve got eczema, psoriasis, or stubborn dry patches, this blend can help smooth and protect.
Olive Oil Benefits for Hair
Olive oil is brilliant for taming dry, frizzy hair and keeping split ends at bay. It moisturises both scalp and strands, making hair easier to manage and less prone to breakage. CBD has anti-inflammatory properties that can calm irritated or flaky scalps, while Olive oil’s essential fatty acids promote healthy growth and shine.
How to Make Cannabis-Infused Olive Oil
Ready to get hands-on? Here’s how to make your own infused oil using olive oil and cannabis. This is your base for all sorts of DIY goodies, from balms to hair masks.
What You’ll Need:
- Dried cannabis (7 grams for a strong batch, but use less if you’re watching the budget)
- Good-quality Olive oil (doesn’t have to be extra virgin, but avoid the cheap stuff)
- Use a precision infuser like the POT by NOIDS for best results, or opt for a slow cooker or double boiler, though the outcomes may be less reliable.
- Digital scales for accuracy
Step-by-Step:
- Decarboxylate your cannabis
Use the infuser’s CBD setting (or heat at 110°C to 120°C for 30 to 40 minutes if using an oven). This process transforms CBDa into CBD. - Infuse
Add enough Olive oil to cover the cannabis, set your device to the CBD oil infusion mode, and let it do its thing. If using a slow cooker, keep the temp under 90°C to avoid damaging the oil. - Strain and Store
Use the strainer or a cheesecloth to remove plant bits. Store in a dark bottle, away from sunlight. Your oil should last 18 to 24 months when stored properly.
DIY Cannabis-Infused CBD Salve Recipe
This easy recipe turns your infused oil into a rich balm you can use on skin, lips, or dry patches.
Ingredients
- 75g cannabis-infused Olive oil
- 15g Beeswax
- 8g Cocoa Butter
- 2g Vitamin E oil
Method
- Gently melt the Beeswax and Cocoa Butter in a double boiler.
- Add the infused olive oil and stir until everything is melted and mixed.
- Remove from heat and let it cool just slightly, then stir in the vitamin E.
- Just pour it into jars while it’s still warm and liquid. Let it cool to set.
You’ll get a solid balm that melts in contact with the skin, perfect for nourishing elbows, feet, lips, and more.
Ingredients Spotlight
Olive Oil
Olive oil is a classic favourite in the world of infusions, especially for cannabis and CBD oil. It’s rich in heart-healthy fats and antioxidants, making it as good for your skin as it is for your insides. Its smooth, mild flavour lets the herbal notes of cannabis shine through. Olive oil’s natural emollient properties help lock in moisture if you’re using it for topical blends. It has a stable fat profile that effectively extracts and retains cannabinoids, resulting in a strong and long-lasting infusion.
Beeswax
Beeswax is the unsung hero of homemade balms, salves, and even infused oils. It acts as a natural thickener, giving your products that satisfying, creamy texture without any synthetic nasties. Beeswax forms a protective layer on the skin, retaining moisture and extending the effects of your CBD or cannabis-infused products.
Cocoa Butter
Cocoa butter adds a smooth and luxurious feel to your infused blends, perfect for skin salves or rich balms. It contains essential fatty acids that nourish, soften, and protect the skin, and also keeps your product firm and stable at room temperature. The gentle chocolatey aroma will not overpower, but it does add a comforting and familiar scent. For anyone after a truly decadent finish, Cocoa Butter is the secret weapon.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is my go-to antioxidant for infused oils. It extends the shelf life of your cannabis or CBD oil by preventing oxidation, keeping it fresh for longer. On the skin, it is known for soothing irritation and supporting natural repair.
You can also check out this other free recipe for a cannabis-infused balm.
Comparing Olive Oil to Other Oils
Olive oil isn’t the only choice, but it’s one of the most reliable for infusing with cannabis. It’s liquid at room temp, stable under heat, and rich in nutrients. Coconut oil is also good for infusions but is solid at room temperature, which can be a pain. Oils like rosehip or hemp seed are too delicate for heat infusion and lose their benefits during the process.
Olive Oil Versus Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is another popular carrier oil that is often used in DIY cosmetics. Although it has many benefits, it is less versatile than olive oil because it is solid at room temperature, which limits its applications. Olive oil is liquid at room temperature, which makes it easy to mix with other ingredients and use on skin and hair.
Benefits of Other Carrier Oils
Any oil that is going to be cannabis-infused needs to be heat tolerant. That means that it can safely be heated to the temperature needed without damaging the oil. Not all oils are heat tolerant, such as Rosehip, Chia, Evening Primrose Oil, Borage oil, and even Hemp Seed Oil. Heating oils destroys their therapeutic benefits and creates free radicals that can damage and age you.
While there are many carrier oils available, Olive stands out for its unique properties. Compared to some carrier oils, Olive is rich in antioxidants, vitamins E and K, and EFAs. These nutrients help to nourish and protect the skin and hair. It contains polyphenols that prevent skin ageing and help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and offers some degree of UV protection.
Avocado Oil: (INCI: Persea Gratissima Oil) This oil is rich in Omega-9, which makes it very heat stable, and it is a wonderful emollient. It has a good range of beneficial vitamins and nutrients, and it sinks into the skin, leaving it feeling very soft and hydrated. It’s an excellent choice for dry and sensitive skin types as well as mature skin. (*Check the price on Amazon) (paid link)
Sweet Almond Oil: (INCI: Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil) Always thought of as the classic massage oil, it is so much more than that. It has very soothing properties for dry or irritated skin. A good mix of Omega_9 and Omega-6, it has a lightweight feel and is easily absorbed into the skin. (*Check the price on Amazon) (paid link)
Jojoba Oil: (INCI: Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil) Jojoba is actually a wax that is liquid at room temperature, and has a similar chemical structure to the sebum that naturally occurs in our skin. This is why it is so widely used as a facial oil, and on acneic skin, it acts like a solvent in a way, and dissolves the sebum in blocked pores which leads to blackheads. (*Check the price on Amazon) (paid link)
Sunflower Oil: (INCI: Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil) Another oil more commonly thought of as a cooking oil, Sunflower has a very light texture and is easily absorbed by dry and chapped skin with no greasy after-feel. It promotes good skin hydration and is an excellent oil to use for herbal macerations. (*Check the price on Amazon) (paid link)
Grapeseed Oil: (INCI: Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil) This is an excellent oil for massage as it has a great slip, even though it feels light on the skin. It tightens and tones the skin with a gentle astringent effect that is useful for mature skin. (*Check the price on Amazon) (paid link)
Calendula Oil: (INCI: Calendula Officinalis Oil) This is an interesting option because this is already an infused oil. The flowers of the dried plant are infused, usually in Sunflower oil or Jojoba oil for stability. Instead of buying it made by a company, you can make herb-infused oil yourself with the PBN.
Once you have decarbed your cannabis, add the dried flowers to the glass beaker and pour oil of your choice on top. Choose the infusion setting, and after you have strained it, you will get a Calendula and Cannabis oil. This combination with Olive is brilliant if you have cracked heels on your feet or suffer from chilblains. The Cannabidiol in the cannabis will also reduce the inflammation. (*Check the price on Amazon) (paid link)
Synergistic Effects with Other Natural Oils
When combined with other natural oils, like any of the ones above, Olive can enhance their benefits and create a synergistic effect. When infused with cannabis for Cannabidiol, the high Oleic Acid content of Olive can help to increase the absorption of the Cannabidiol into the skin. Similarly, when combined with essential oils, Olive can help to deliver the therapeutic benefits of the essential oils to the skin and hair.
Conclusion
Using Olive oil infused with cannabis for skin and hair care can be a great addition to your DIY cosmetics routine. Through my research and personal experience, I have found that this natural remedy can provide numerous benefits for both skin and hair.
One of the key benefits of using this cannabis infusion is its ability to moisturise and nourish the skin and hair. The fatty acids in Olive help to lock in moisture and keep the skin and hair hydrated, while the Cannabidiol in cannabis can help to soothe and calm any inflammation or irritation.
Another benefit of using this natural remedy is its potential to promote hair growth. The antioxidants in Olive help to protect the hair from damage and promote healthy hair growth, while the Cannabidiol in cannabis can help to improve blood circulation to the scalp and stimulate hair follicles.
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