What Dermatologists Are Saying About Cannabis and Psoriasis

If you deal with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis, you've probably wondered whether cannabis — in any of its forms, CBD, CBG, or THC — might help. It's a question dermatologists are hearing more often, too. The National Psoriasis Foundation recently put that question to two leading experts: Dr. Jason Hawkes, a dermatologist at UC Davis, and Dr. Adam Friedman, chair of dermatology at George Washington University. (You can read their full conversation on the National Psoriasis Foundation's website.)

We wanted to dig into the "why" behind that interest, and talk about where products like ours actually fit — and where they don't.

Why cannabinoids and skin are connected at all

Your skin has its own endocannabinoid system: a network of receptors that helps regulate inflammation, cell turnover, and the itch-pain signals that flare up when skin is under stress. Psoriasis involves skin cells multiplying much faster than normal, alongside an overactive inflammatory response. Because cannabinoids like CBD and CBG interact with those same skin receptors, researchers have been studying whether they can help calm that response.

The early research is genuinely interesting. Small studies and lab work suggest cannabinoids may help slow down excess skin cell growth, ease inflammation, and reduce itching — all things that matter a lot day-to-day if you're managing plaques. But it's worth being straightforward about where the science actually stands: most of this is early-stage, some of it is in cell or animal models rather than large human trials, and cannabis products are not an approved or proven treatment for psoriasis. Dermatologists who study this, including Dr. Hawkes, tend to frame cannabinoids as something that might help with symptoms — itch, discomfort, sleep, stress — rather than something that treats the underlying disease.

What we'd actually tell you if you asked us in person

We're formulators, not doctors, so here's our honest take:

• Talk to your dermatologist first, especially if you're using prescription topicals or biologics. Cannabinoids can be a reasonable thing to layer into a skincare routine, but they shouldn't replace treatments that are actually proven to control psoriasis.
• Quality and sourcing matter more than the marketing. The CBD/CBG topical space is largely unregulated, which means product quality varies enormously. Look for products that are third-party tested and can show you a Certificate of Analysis (COA) — not just a claim on the label.
• Think "skin comfort," not "cure." Nobody selling a topical should be telling you it treats or cures psoriasis. That's not how this works, and anyone claiming otherwise should raise a red flag.

Where our products fit into that picture

Our CBD/CBG lotion and salve were built as small-batch, full-spectrum topicals meant to support skin comfort and moisturization — the kind of thing you might reach for as part of a broader skincare routine, alongside whatever your dermatologist has you on, not instead of it. We batch-test everything and can share a COA for any product we sell, because if you're putting something on skin that's already inflamed, you deserve to know exactly what's in the jar.

If you're curious about cannabinoids and your skin, we'd encourage you to start with the research itself — the NPF interview linked above is a great, level-headed starting point — and then have that conversation with your dermatologist about whether a topical like ours makes sense as part of your routine.

This post is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please consult your dermatologist before adding any new product to your skincare routine, especially if you have a diagnosed skin condition.