Your Skin + Cannabis; Does Smoking Weed Cause Acne?

Yes. But, also... no. Let us explain: 

As the stigma surrounding cannabis dissipates slowly–and we mean slowly–there are more questions than ever regarding this mystical plant. While there’s plenty we do know, there’s also a lot that we don’t. 

Namely: does smoking weed cause acne? 

As with most things on the internet these days (le sigh) there is plenty of conflicting information about weed, and whether or not it causes your skin to break out. Fret not, we’re getting to the bottom of it here.

Does Smoking Weed Cause Acne?

Since cannabis' legal status is murky (at best), very little clinical research has been conducted. There is a lot of conflicting information available online, depending on where you look. 

What’s a girl to do? Well, we’ll tell you. Even though smoking marijuana shouldn't cause acne, there are some factors related to weed use that may be triggering your skin’s freak-out.

Here are some things you should know if you’re wondering, “does smoking weed cause acne?”:

Beware of the Munchies

Ever gotten a serious case of the munchies after smoking? When you smoke cannabis–especially strains high in THC–you’re far more likely to inhale an entire bag of Doritos or an entire pint of ice cream in one sitting. The reason for this is that the chemicals in marijuana impact certain parts of the brain related to appetite. Hence the munchies.

Increased appetite means that people are more likely to choose foods that are high in fat, sugar, and carbohydrates, all of which can raise blood sugar levels and trigger breakouts. More clinical research is needed, but a poor diet has certainly been linked to an increase in acne. 

Don’t Touch Your Face!

You’ve probably heard this before, but we’re going to say it again: DON’T TOUCH YOUR FACE.

Like, ever. Unless you’re washing it, or gently wiping away the powdered sugar from the doughnut you just housed, keep your hands off your money-maker. Seriously. Your hands are breeding grounds for germs and bacteria, and when you touch your face it introduces a whole host of issues. Does smoking weed cause acne? Not really. But touching your face with greasy, dirty hands certainly does.

Try to be mindful of what you’re doing with your hands, especially after smoking a joint.

Weed Can Trigger Hormonal Changes

During puberty, teens are more likely to develop acne due to an increase in testosterone levels. One study suggests that marijuana can cause a person's testosterone levels to rise, which could lead to more acne. 

Cannabis, specifically THC, affects the hypothalamus, which is responsible for connecting the nervous system to the endocrine system. The endocrine system is responsible for your hormonal levels, so if you feel moody, you can blame your endocrine system. This relationship is why marijuana affects your mood and pain levels.

During hormonal changes, the sebaceous glands become enlarged, and produce more sebum than normal. Overproduction can lead to trapped sebum in your hair follicles, causing those annoying, red bumps we know as acne.

Before You Go…

While smoking weed itself won’t cause acne, there are several things associated with smoking that can trigger acne or hormonal breakouts.

Skin issues can be tricky, and research surrounding cannabis and hemp are still surfacing, so it’s important to do your own research and reach your own conclusions if you’re suffering from acne. The bottom line is there isn’t enough scientific evidence available to establish links between smoking cannabis and acne, but there are certain steps you can take to ensure that your skin is glowing as much as your glittery cannabis buds.