Does Smoking Weed Cause Acne?

Whether you use cannabis casually or regularly, you might’ve asked yourself: does smoking weed cause acne? It’s a fair question, especially if you’ve noticed breakouts after a session or feel like your skin has changed since starting. The short answer is: there’s no definitive proof, but there are some potential links worth understanding.

Cannabis doesn’t directly cause acne in the same way that, say, poor hygiene or oily skin might. However, the way cannabis affects the body—particularly hormones, inflammation, and lifestyle—can indirectly impact skin health.

Let’s break down how cannabis may (or may not) contribute to acne, based on what we know so far.

How Acne Develops

To understand the possible connection, it helps to know what causes acne in the first place. Acne occurs when hair follicles become clogged with oil (sebum), dead skin cells, and sometimes bacteria. This leads to blackheads, whiteheads, spots, and sometimes cysts.

Factors that influence acne include:

• Hormones (especially androgens like testosterone)

• Excess oil production

• Blocked pores

• Bacterial growth

• Inflammation

• Diet, stress, and sleep patterns

So where does cannabis fit into all this?

Cannabis, Hormones, and Oil Production

There is evidence that cannabis can influence hormone levels, especially testosterone. THC (the psychoactive compound in cannabis) may temporarily raise testosterone levels in some users. Elevated testosterone can lead to increased sebum (oil) production, which is a known contributor to acne.

However, this effect varies between individuals. Some studies suggest the hormonal impact of THC is short-lived, while others find no strong correlation at all. Still, for people already prone to acne or hormone imbalances, even a small hormonal shift might tip things in the wrong direction.

Inflammation and Immune Response

Cannabis has anti-inflammatory properties, especially CBD, which is often used in skincare. In theory, this could help reduce acne-related inflammation. However, smoking cannabis introduces other compounds (like tar and carbon monoxide) that may actually increase inflammation in the body.

So while cannabis might reduce inflammation in one sense, the act of smoking—especially over time—can have the opposite effect. Inflammation is a key driver of acne, particularly in moderate to severe cases.

Munchies, Diet, and Breakouts

One of the more indirect ways cannabis might cause acne is through eating habits. Many people experience increased appetite—especially cravings for high-sugar, greasy, processed foods—after using cannabis. Diets high in refined carbs and sugars have been linked to increased acne in multiple studies.

So if you regularly get the munchies and reach for crisps, pizza, or chocolate, your skin may suffer as a result—not because of the weed itself, but because of how it influences your diet.

Stress, Sleep, and Skin

Many people use cannabis to relax or manage stress, and in some cases, this can benefit your skin. Chronic stress can trigger acne flare-ups by raising cortisol levels, which in turn increases oil production and inflammation. If cannabis helps you sleep better or feel calmer, it may actually reduce stress-related breakouts.

However, overuse or dependence on cannabis can lead to poor sleep quality, anxiety, or mood swings in some users—especially with high-THC strains. This could have the opposite effect on skin health.

Can CBD Help With Acne?

Interestingly, CBD (cannabidiol)—a non-psychoactive compound found in cannabis—has shown promise in treating acne. Research suggests that CBD may:

• Reduce sebum production

• Balance skin oils

• Soothe inflammation

This is why CBD is now found in many skincare products. That said, applying CBD topically is very different to smoking THC-rich cannabis.

Lifestyle Habits and Hygiene

Frequent cannabis users may also experience changes in personal care routines, especially if smoking becomes part of a laid-back lifestyle. If you're skipping skincare, not cleansing properly, or reusing unwashed pillowcases while high or tired, you're more likely to see breakouts.

Also worth noting: touching your face more often, smoking indoors, or letting smoke linger on your skin or hair can contribute to clogged pores and irritation.

Can Smoking Itself Trigger Acne?

Smoking of any kind (tobacco or cannabis) may expose the skin to harmful free radicals, which contribute to oxidative stress—a known factor in skin ageing and inflammation. It can also damage collagen and slow skin healing. So even if weed doesn’t directly cause acne, smoking it could still worsen overall skin condition, particularly in acne-prone individuals.

What About Edibles or Vaping?

Switching to edibles or vaping may reduce some of the skin issues associated with smoking, such as smoke irritation or inflammation from combustion. However, if the underlying issue is hormonal or dietary, the effects may still be the same.

Vaping has its own risks, but in terms of acne, it might be less irritating than smoke—though research in this area is limited.

UK Law and Cannabis Use

In the UK, cannabis is a Class B drug, and it’s illegal to possess, grow, or supply it unless prescribed medically (which is rare and strictly controlled). CBD products are legal if they contain less than 1mg of THC per container, and CBD oils, creams, and skincare products are widely available.

It’s important to be aware of these laws—not just for legal reasons, but also because unregulated cannabis from the street may contain contaminants that could harm your health or your skin.

Cannabis and Skin: Looking Ahead

So, does smoking weed cause acne? For some people, yes—it can contribute. Whether through hormonal changes, lifestyle shifts, inflammation, or poor diet, cannabis may indirectly worsen acne, especially if you're already prone to it. For others, especially those who maintain a balanced diet and skincare routine, it might have little to no effect.

Ultimately, skin health is personal. If you notice a pattern between cannabis use and breakouts, it’s worth adjusting your routine—whether that means using less, changing how you consume it, or improving your diet and skincare.

For clearer skin, moderation, good hygiene, and paying attention to your body’s signals are key. Weed might not be the sole culprit—but it could be one piece of the puzzle.