Acne is one of the most common skin problems, affecting nearly 85% of people between 12 and 24 years old. Many people who use marijuana question that smoking weed and acne are connected. Some believe that smoking weed and acne are linked, while others say it has no effect. So, what’s the truth?
Here’s everything you want to know.
Is There a Link Between Weed and Acne?
Is there concrete evidence linking marijuana use to acne? The reason many people think cannabis and acne are linked is that both commonly affect people in their late teens and early twenties, a time when hormonal levels are at their peak.
This age group is more prone to acne, but the connection to weed acne is not as straightforward. The behaviours and habits that often come with smoking can indirectly make acne worse.
How Weed May Contribute to Acne Breakouts
Does marijuana cause acne? Smoking marijuana doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll develop acne, but some of the side effects and habits associated with it can affect your skin. Here’s how it could factor in:
1. Neglecting Hygiene
When you are high, you may feel too tired or unmotivated to follow basic hygiene tasks like washing your face, changing your clothes, or brushing your teeth. When oil and dead skin cells clog the pores, acne results.
If you skip washing your face or taking a bath, especially during skin care in winter, dryness and dead skin can pile up, and your skin becomes a breeding ground for bacteria, which can easily lead to breakouts. And acne from weed does not just show up on your face, your back, chest, and shoulders can be affected too.
2. The Munchies
Ever heard of the “munchies”? When smoking weed, it is common to crave junk food. Regrettably, foods like cookies, chips, and sugary drinks can cause acne. Eating too much sugar and processed foods causes a spike in your blood sugar, which can increase insulin levels.
High insulin can lead to inflammation and the overproduction of oil in your skin, which can clog your pores and cause acne. So, yes, does weed make acne worse? It certainly can, through these indirect effects.
3. Sugary Edibles
If you are hoping to avoid acne by consuming marijuana through edibles instead of smoking, it might not be the answer you are looking for. Many edibles contain sugar, milk, and other ingredients that can disturb your hormones and worsen your skin.
Consuming too much sugar can raise insulin levels, which causes your skin to produce more oil. It also boosts inflammation, which can make acne worse. So, if you are wondering, do edibles cause acne? The answer is potentially, yes.
4. Imbalanced Hormones
Hormonal changes are a major contributor to acne. When hormones fluctuate, it can increase the activity of sebaceous glands, which produce the oil that clogs your pores.
Can marijuana cause acne due to a hormonal imbalance? Marijuana, particularly THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), has been shown to disrupt the balance of hormones in the body, leading to an increase in oil production.
While a study found that only recent marijuana use affected testosterone levels, the hormonal changes it causes could contribute to skin problems, especially during adolescence. This is also why skin care for men needs to account for hormonal factors, especially if marijuana is involved.
5. Sleep Disruption
We all know that sleep plays a big role in overall health, including the health of your skin. Lack of sleep can mess with hormone levels, particularly cortisol, which affects your skin’s ability to heal. A study showed that frequent marijuana use can negatively impact sleep quality.
Poor sleep means more stress and less time for your skin to repair itself. If you are touching your face during the night, whether it is with dirty hands, sheets, or pillows, you may find yourself dealing with more acne. So, can weed give you pimples? Indirectly, yes.
6. Stress
Many people turn to marijuana to relieve stress, but long-term use can have the opposite effect. When you stop using weed, your body might experience withdrawal symptoms, such as increased anxiety and stress.
By raising the hormone cortisol, which makes your skin produce more oil, high stress levels can lead to acne. This leads to clogged pores and, eventually, breakouts.
7. The Impact of Smoking Itself
Can smoking pot cause acne directly? Smoking, in general, can harm your skin. The free radicals created by smoke can attack fatty acids in the sebum (the oil produced by your skin), making it thicker and stickier.
This can make it easier for your pores to get clogged. Additionally, smoking reduces blood levels of vitamin E, which is vital for healthy skin. Without it, your skin becomes more vulnerable to damage. So, does smoking weed give you acne? While not a direct cause, it can make your skin more vulnerable to acne-causing issues.
Things You Need to Know About Other Causes of Acne
Acne tends to be blamed on one thing, but it has plenty of other causes that can make skin erupt. Being aware of these factors can help you take better care of your skin.
- Genetics: A significant component of acne is your family history. If your mother, father, brother, or sister has acne, you may be more prone to it. Acne is hereditary, so your skin can produce more oil, which makes it more susceptible to breaking out.
- Hormonal Changes: If you think hormonal changes did not affect the skin, think again. Puberty is one of the major periods of acne because of the increase in hormonal levels, but other hormonal changes, for example, during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or even stress, can lead to acne too. Hormones trigger sebaceous glands to produce more oil, leading to clogged pores.
- Skincare Mistakes: Often, we can be our own worst enemies when it comes to skincare. Excessive washing your face can strip away natural oils, leaving the skin dry and irritated, which may worsen acne. Gentle products or neglecting the use of a moisturizer can also upset your skin’s balance and cause breakouts.
- Environmental Factors: The environment can also lead to skin-impeding pollution and dirty surfaces. Pollution carries tiny particles that can clog your pores. Bacteria and oil contribute to acne and can be transferred by touching your face with unwashed hands or sleeping with your head on a dirty pillowcase..
How to Avoid Getting Acne When You Use Weed
Can weed cause acne breakouts? If you are using weed and want to keep your skin healthy, here are some ways to minimize the chances of breakouts:
Keep to a Good Skin Care Routine
- We recommend washing your face two times a day with a gentle, non-stripping cleanser. Then avoid rough scrubs or soaps that may irritate your skin.
- Over that, apply a non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores) moisturizer, and don’t skimp on sunscreen, even on cloudy days. Choosing the right products depends on understanding your skin type, as using the wrong ones may worsen acne.
Eat a Skin-Friendly Diet
- Limit foods that may cause acne, including sugary snacks, dairy, and processed foods. These foods raise insulin levels, which makes your skin produce more oil.
- Instead, get the majority of your diet’s anti-inflammatory properties from fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids in fish, nuts, and seeds.
Drink Plenty of Water & Sleep Well
- Drink a lot of water if you want your body to get rid of toxins.
- The secret to having healthy skin is staying hydrated.
- Every night, try to get between seven and nine hours of good sleep. Your body, including your skin, heals itself when you get enough sleep.
Wash Your Hands & Smoking Tools
- Do not touch your face to minimize the transfer of bacteria from your hands.
- Clean your face periodically, especially after coming in contact with things such as your phone or smoking tools.
- Please be sure to clean your smoking apparatus (bongs or vapes) regularly to avoid transferring oils and bacteria to your face.
Stress Management & Maintain Hormonal Balance
- Hormonal changes caused by stress can lead to more acne. Engage in relaxing activities, such as yoga, meditation, and deep breathing exercises, to cope with stress.
- If you suspect that your acne may be hormone-related, seek advice from a dermatologist or doctor who specializes in balancing hormone levels and managing your acne.
When to See a Doctor for Your Acne
That’s in cases where the acne gets out of control. Here’s when it might be time to seek professional help:
- If your acne is severe, painful, or leaving scars, it is a good time to see a doctor or dermatologist.
- If your acne does get worse, although you follow a good skincare routine, or if over-the-counter treatments are not working.
- If you notice that your acne is spreading, or it is becoming more inflamed and resistant to over-the-counter treatments.
Last Words
In the end, does smoking weed cause acne? No, not directly. But the lifestyle and behaviors associated with its use, like poor hygiene, junk food cravings, and sleep disturbances, can contribute to skin breakouts.
It is important to be aware of these factors and take steps to mitigate them if you want to keep your skin clear.
