Hydration is key: Five go-to face masks for your next self-care Sunday

The debate about whether or not there are harmful effects to the skin as a result of smoking cannabis is ongoing. One the one hand, the argument is cannabis contains many of the same carcinogens as cigarette smoke. One of those cancerous substances include hydrocarbons. Hydrocarbons can inhibit cells that are mainly responsible for making new collagen, in other words, suppressing collagen production. This means exposing your skin to marijuana smoke can make you appear to age more rapidly.

Other studies point to THC as actually protecting the skin against procarcinogens, unlike nicotine, due to its anti-aging properties. Cannabis protective properties are contributed to the antioxidants in contains, which neutralize the damaging effects of free radical oxygen particles. In vitro and in vivo studies of cannabis have suggested it has favorable effects on regulating pain, agitation, and inflammation, making it a potentially attractive therapeutic agent for many dermatologic conditions.

The purpose of me gathering these findings is not not to encourage you to smoke less but to hydrate more. If nothing else, these debates raise more awareness around the indisputable fact that 75 percent of Americans are chronically dehydrated. If we’re hydrated so is our skin.

Cannabis naturally prompts us to drink more water

Our response to cannabis varies depending on how much cannabis we consume, what type of weed it is, and our own personal physiologies. There are many other ways that cannabis can affect our bodies and lead to dehydration such as by increasing heart rate or dry mouth symptoms.

Cannabis consumption on its own may not cause dehydration, but dry mouth is all the more reason to have a tall glass of water situated next to your ash tray. Inside the mouth are submandibular glands, which are located on both sides of the lower jaw. These glands carry saliva up to the floor of the mouth and under the tongue. THC binds with CB1 and CB2 receptors found in the submandibular glands as well as the mucosal tissues in the mouth. This may suppress the normal functioning of salivary glands and leave your mouth and throat feeling dry.

Queue Party Next Door’s Thirsty.

Our skin is our largest organ

The skin is not only our body's largest organ but the most sensitive organ as well. Made up of water, nutrients, lipids, and mineral deposits, our skin is the best indicator of our health. Moisturizing, hydrating and having a good skincare regimen serves to improve the overall look and appearance of the skin, while also restoring and maintaining the skin's function as a barrier to the environment. Furthermore, good skincare habits improve our mental health, mood, reinforcing our self confidence.

Here are a few of my go-to face masks:

Hydrate

1) Skin Laundry Hydrating Facial Sheet Mask

Moisturize

2) Dr. Jart Cryo Rubber™ Face Mask With Moisturizing Hyaluronic Acid

Exfoliate

3) Waso Sishiedo Clay Mask

Detox

4) Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay Mask

Supercharge

5) DMH Aesthetics Light Shield LED Mask