Acne is one of the most common skin problems, affecting nearly 85% of people between 12 and 24 years old. Many marijuana users wonder if their breakouts are linked to weed. Some believe that smoking causes acne, while others say it has no effect. So, what’s the truth?
Here’s everything you want to know.
Does Smoking Weed Cause Acne Breakouts?
There’s no conclusive evidence that smoking weed directly causes acne. The reason many people think marijuana and acne are linked is because both commonly affect people in their late teens and early twenties, a time when hormone levels are at their peak.
This age group is more prone to acne, but the connection to weed isn’t as straightforward. The behaviors and habits that often come with smoking can indirectly make acne worse.
How Weed May Contribute to Acne Breakouts
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
One of the most common weed habits is being lazy with that weed. When you’re high, you may feel too tired or unmotivated to follow through on basic hygiene tasks like washing your face, changing your clothes, or brushing your teeth. Acne happens when pores get clogged with oil and dead skin cells.
If you skip washing your face or showering—especially during skin care in winter, when dryness and dead skin can pile up—your skin becomes a breeding ground for bacteria, which can easily lead to breakouts. And acne doesn’t just show up on your face—your back, chest, and shoulders can be affected too. This issue becomes worse if your skin is so dry that even moisturizer doesn’t seem to help, which often indicates a broken moisture barrier needing special attention.
2. The Munchies
Ever heard of the “munchies”? When smoking weed, it’s common to crave junk food. Unfortunately, foods like chips, cookies, and sugary drinks can trigger acne.
Eating too much sugar and processed food 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.
3. Sugary Edibles
If you’re hoping to avoid acne by consuming marijuana through edibles instead of smoking, it might not be the answer you’re looking for.
Many edibles contain sugar, milk, and other ingredients that can disturb your hormones and worsen your skin. Excessive sugar can increase insulin levels, leading to more oil production in your skin. It also boosts inflammation, which can make acne worse.
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.
Marijuana, particularly THC, 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 had an effect on 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’re touching your face during the night, whether it’s with dirty hands, sheets, or pillows, you may find yourself dealing with more acne.
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.
High stress levels can trigger acne by increasing the production of cortisol, a hormone that causes your skin to produce more oil. This leads to clogged pores and, eventually, breakouts.
7. The Impact of Smoking Itself
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. Smoking also lowers vitamin E levels in the bloodstream, which is essential for skin health.
Without it, your skin becomes more vulnerable to damage. Even vaping marijuana oil can have a similar effect on your skin.
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 had acne, you may be more prone to it. Acne is hereditary, so your skin can naturally produce more oil that makes it more susceptible to breaking out.
- Hormonal Changes: If you thought hormonal changes had no effect on 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 enemy where skincare is concerned. Washing your face too much can rob your skin of its natural oils and leave it dry and irritated, which can aggravate acne. Gentle products or the opposite, neglecting the use of a moisturizer, can also upset your skin’s balance and cause breakouts.
- Environmental Factors: Unbeknownst to you, the environment can also lead to skin-impeding pollution and dirty surfaces. Pollution transports tiny particles that can clog your pores. And 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.
Does Masturbation Cause Acne?
Many people think that masturbation causes acne because both tend to appear during puberty. However, there’s no scientific evidence to support this idea. The real cause of acne is hormonal changes, not masturbation.
During puberty, your body produces more androgen hormones, which increase oil production in the skin. This excess oil can clog your pores, leading to acne. Masturbation might briefly affect hormone levels, but these changes are temporary and do not have a lasting effect on your skin.
Then why does this happen?
Acne occurs when your pores become clogged with oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria. This can happen for a variety of reasons, including hormonal shifts, poor skincare habits, or even stress. Puberty is one of the most common times for acne because of the surge in hormones. But remember, while both masturbation and acne often occur around the same time, they are not connected.
How to Avoid Getting Acne When You Use Weed
If you’re 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. Insulin spikes from these foods then create more oil production in the skin.
- 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 plenty of water throughout the day to help flush toxins from your body. Hydration is key to maintaining healthy skin.
- Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep every night. Sleep helps your body repair itself, including your skin.
Wash Your Hands & Smoking Tools
- Do not touch your face to minimize the transfer of bacteria from your hand. 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’s 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’s becoming more inflamed and resistant to over-the-counter treatments.
Last Words
In the end, smoking weed does not cause acne. The lifestyle and behaviors associated with its use—like poor hygiene, junk food cravings, and sleep disturbances—can contribute to skin breakouts. It’s important to be aware of these factors and take steps to mitigate them if you want to keep your skin clear.
