Weed and Acne: What Happens to Your Skin When You Smoke?

Published: 8/21/2025
By:
Mountains

According to Gallup, more than 70% of Americans support the legalization of cannabis. As many states are legalizing it for both medicinal and recreational use at an unprecedented pace, there's no denying that it's now more widely accepted and accessible than ever. With this wave of green legalization and the growing use of cannabis, many people are asking: Does it help with weight loss or affect acne?

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Many experts believe there is no direct link between smoking weed and acne, as there aren't enough scientific studies that look into the effects of cannabis on skin conditions like acne. Some people also believe that smoking pot may improve overall skin health. 

So, what's the truth? Can cannabis cause acne breakouts? Read on to find out what really happens to your skin when you smoke pot. Ready? Let’s get into it!

Causes of acne:

Acne develops when your skin's pores get clogged with oil, dead skin cells, or bacteria. The skin's pores open to follicles that are made up of sebaceous (oil) glands and hair. The oil glands produce sebum, which travels up the hair follicle, out of the pore, and spreads onto the surface of your skin. 

Genetics and hormones are believed to play a significant role in skin conditions such as acne. In addition, consuming greasy foods, stress, and practicing poor hygiene could also make an acne breakout worse. Other triggers include certain medications, such as steroids, sweating, certain cosmetics, or bacteria clogging the pores. 

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Does smoking weed cause acne?

Smoking weed introduces THC to your body, which interacts with the endocannabinoid system and can affect various functions of your body. However, there is no evidence that suggests smoking weed can contribute to causing acne. It may lead to some behavioral changes associated with cannabis consumption that could make existing skin issues like acne worse. This effect may also result from the physical impact of smoking weed on the body.

There is no clear link that exists between smoking weed and acne. Smoking can increase healing time, accelerate the process of skin aging, and reduce the amount of blood flowing to the skin. 

Cannabis consumption not only changes a person's behavior but may also increase hunger. While diet and stress don't directly cause acne, they can be contributing factors that worsen breakouts in individuals who already have acne.

People who smoke weed mixed with tobacco are likely to experience some effects on their skin in the long run. Pimples may take longer to heal, and the inflammation can become more severe.

Smoking weed is unlikely to cause a rise in testosterone levels. Despite the possible link between smoking weed and higher testosterone levels, it is unclear whether it's weed itself or the act of smoking it that increases testosterone levels. While the effect is likely minimal, there is a slight risk that elevated testosterone levels may still increase the risk of acne breakouts.

However, not all people experience the same effects from smoking weed, and these effects can vary depending on the method of consumption and strength of the active ingredients. 

More research is needed to understand the link between smoking weed and acne. Until more research is available, any link between the two remains unclear. 

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Do other methods of cannabis consumption have any link to acne?

Some people prefer alternative cannabis consumption methods such as vaping, ingesting, or eating edibles. Currently, there is no strong scientific evidence that cannabis negatively affects the skin or causes issues like acne — whether it's vaped, eaten, or ingested. However, some anecdotal reports suggest that THC may have adverse effects on the skin, but these claims are not yet supported by scientific research.

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