CBD self-care at home: my night of rest and relaxation

Self-care looks different for everyone, and it often changes on the daily. Sometimes I’ll need a hot bath and time to journal. As the weeks pass, self-care could equate to setting boundaries.

There’s no one way to relax and reset, which is why CBD & Chill by Tori Bodin and Chris Tarello contains 75 recipes for everyday wellness. Cannabis skincare is more than just hype, studies have been effective with skin conditions like psoriasis, scleroderma, and skin cancer. In a less medical sense, cannabinoids can be anti-inflammatory when applied topically. They can also protect skin from free radicals.

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The book combines ingredients to nourish a person from top to bottom, outside to inside. The first section covers snacks, smoothies, desserts, mocktails, and even pet treats–but today, we’re in it for part two of two.

Entitled “Go For The Glow,” part two of CBD & Chill is filled with face, body, and hair treatments that can be easily made at home. Some recipes require specialty ingredients like jojoba oil or hyaluronic acid powder, but not all of them.

In a move to CBD and chill me, I plucked out three recipes that use beginner methods and ingredients found at the local grocer, then settled in for an at-home spa night.

How to CBD and chill

I opted to whip up the Guac is Extra Hair Mask, Coconut Sugar Body Scrub, and the Honeydew-Lime Toning Mask. I prepped ingredients for all three products while feeding my toddler dinner. The plan was to enact the chill after he went to bed.

The full ingredient prep took about 30 to 45 minutes. Extra gear includes an immersion blender, saran wrap, and strainer or cheesecloth. I did learn from some mistakes as I made these at-home beauty treatments. But honestly, they are simple.

Guac Is Extra Hair Mask

A hair mask is best applied to damp hair, not wet or dry, and then massaged into the scalp. This one also required me to saran wrap my head and let it sit for 30 minutes (a shower cap would have also worked). Those without saran wrap or a shower cap should leave it on for a full hour according to the book.

Making the mask was as easy as mixing up a dip. Just measure the four simple ingredients (avocado, coconut milk, honey, and CBD oil), and it’s ready. I used BeJubie 300mg Hemp CBD oil, but the book goes into rigorous detail about finding the right product, cannabinoids, and dose for your endocannabinoid system.

After applying the mask, I set a timer and sit back to watch the latest season of Only Murders In The Building, hoping the pizza guy doesn’t see me with saran wrap all over my head.

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After thirty minutes, I took to the shower to wash the mask off and use the Coconut Sugar Body Scrub. Before getting into the scrub, let me tell you that this mask gave my thin, straight hair a velvety feel and a more visible body. The recipe left enough for many more applications, and I will use it again.

Coconut Sugar Body Scrub

All of the ingredients for this sugar scrub came from my community food co-op bulk aisle– except for the CBD oil that came from my home apothecary. This is by far one of the easiest recipes in the trio. Just put coconut sugar, coconut oil, pink Himalayan salt, and a dropper or so of CBD oil and mix. It’s as simple as that.

Once in the shower, I scooped the sugary mix into my hands and scrubbed it directly onto my skin. Some may opt for using a washcloth, especially those with sensitive skin on their hands.

I could see the effect while I was still in the shower. It was softer and more supple. Once out of the shower, the results were tangible. Literally, I could tell it was working with one touch. As someone with Keratosis pilaris, I’m looking forward to seeing how this might smooth out the bumps.

The recipe makes enough sugar scrub for about 4-6 uses. It’s a wonderful addition to a weekly at-home spa night.

Honeydew-Lime Toning Mask

As a woman in my mid-thirties, I’ve spent the last few years perfecting a multi-step skincare routine. And while I have bought a mask or two, I’ve always adored making masks with ingredients from the fridge.

I’ve used turmeric and honey, making my skin soft but also a little orange. Homemade exfoliating scrubs with sugar and lemon are another staple in my regiment. But until last night, I’ve never used a honeydew melon in a face mask.

The refreshing ingredients of this recipe smell fantastic as they mix up, but I’d probably do things differently next time I put them together. This is the most complicated of the three CBD self-care recipes, but still, I’d consider it level easy.

For me, the issue came with not reading the directions well enough. To be fair, as the last thing in the regimen, it was late. The recipe calls for lime zest, lime juice, smushed honeydew melon, and CBD oil through a sieve. The resulting bright juice should be reserved for another use, and the puree becomes the mask–but I mixed it up. Don’t be like me.

I applied the juice to my face, watching it drip into the sink before re-reading the directions and kicking myself. But it’s ok. Wiping the lime-melon juice onto my face created a tingling sensation that skin care girlies are all too familiar with. It was tightening my skin even when I did it wrong.

So I got the fruit scraps and started applying those right on top of the juice. Next time I make this, I plan to puree the chunks for better spreadability. But you heard right. Even with the mistake, I’ll be making this mask again during melon season.

CBD self-care at home: the results

As mentioned, I’ve been making non-infused self-care recipes at home for years. But for some reason, CBD has never gotten into the mix. With the help of CBD & Chill, I had a relaxing night.

When comparing results between recipes with and without CBD oil, it seems that the compound was helpful in nourishing my skin and hair. And as someone with skin that easily breaks out from oils and moisturizers, I’m pleased to announce there’s not a zit in sight.

I highly recommend booking a night at home to whip up a hair mask or get a good sugar scrub going in the shower. For those interested in the book, it is available for purchase at multiple retailers. But I got it at the public library, so those on the fence can check in there before buying. After this great self-care success, I’ll probably secure a copy for my personal library.

A spa night doesn’t have to cost hundreds of dollars in a fancy establishment. You can pull off a mini self-care night at home with a quick grocery trip and a bottle of CBD oil for that added protection and lustrousness. For me, it was just the right thing to replenish as I embark on another hot, busy summer week.