There are a lot of herbal products well-known for the power they can infuse into skincare products. Kratom, however, is not typically listed on these lists. Most people have probably never considered that something as out-of-this-world and specific as kratom skincare products even exists!
Kratom skincare products are limited in number, but there are a few interesting categories that are worth learning more about. The problem with these products so far is that not very many people use them, so it is hard to know exactly what they are like and how well they work when used long-term.
So you end up being left with questions: Do these products work, and can they work for you? Let’s do a deep dive into the products to find out more.
Kratom Soap
One type of product that you might come across when shopping for kratom products is a kratom soap. Users of this type of product have had a few positive things to say about their experiences:
- • Fewer dry skin patches
- • Fewer itchy skin patches
- • More even skin tone
Of course, all of these experiences are anecdotal and could be related to the soap makeup and not the kratom itself. Regardless, a good product is a good product! Handmade soaps and those made by smaller companies tend to use fewer chemicals and gentler products.
It is thought that kratom might help to relieve itchy, patchy skin areas because of some specific sugars that are found in the powder. The sugar is known as rhamnose. On its own, rhamnose has been shown to help our body fight signs of aging, so it is possible that kratom may be able to fight signs of aging as well.
There are a few effects that people using kratom soap noticed that are more likely to be related to kratom than to the other soap ingredients. In particular, people mentioned that their muscle aches caused by fatigue decreased in frequency.
Other Kratom Skincare Products
Soap is not the only product that can be made with kratom. In fact, there’s a fairly wide range of products that you can find at different shops right now. Some of the most popular options include:
- • Sugar scrub
- • Lip balms
- • Lotions
- • Toners
- • Face wash
If there’s a type of skincare product that you want to try with kratom in it, go ahead and search for it. You’ll be surprised at how many different things that you are able to find already on the market!
Make Your Own Kratom Beauty Products
Another way that you can give kratom beauty products a try without investing much more money is to make your own! Kratom can easily be infused into nearly any type of product as long as you know to properly combine the ingredients.
For instance, you can make soap by simply taking any soap recipe and then adding ⅓ cup of kratom powder to the recipe. Then, experiment until you get the perfect combination! Sugar scrubs are another great option to try to make yourself as the slight grittiness of the kratom powder will act as an additional exfoliant.
In most cases, the best way to mix kratom into your favorite skincare products would be to turn it into an oil infusion or a tincture before mixing it in. Kratom molecules are too big to penetrate the skin, so creating an infused liquid that takes on kratom’s alkaloid properties is like making a batch of kratom tea for your skin. Your body can absorb it better this way.
The Science of Skincare
While there is a lot of anecdotal evidence that kratom skincare is powerful and effective, there isn’t a lot of science out there to support that just yet. We know that kratom has specific effects on the body whenever it is ingested via a powder, tea, or another form. This is because the alkaloids interact with specific parts of your body.
Skincare products, on the other hand, would never be digested. Even if they are absorbed through the skin, the products won’t make it into your body the same way that kratom you drink or eat does.
That isn’t to say that there is absolutely no evidence that kratom might have positive topical effects. In fact, there’s a number of interesting research studies on that very topic:
- • This study suggests that kratom might have topical benefits.
- • This article has shown that kratom has been traditionally used as a skincare agent in Malay people. There is evidence that traditional Thai medicine also teaches a number of topical uses for kratom.
What’s still not fully known today is how kratom interacts with the body when applied to it. More research needs to be done to confirm the anecdotal. For now, however, we’re satisfied to believe that kratom skincare can make a difference whenever you choose the right product!
What We Think Is Happening
It is not yet known if the major chemical alkaloids found in kratom can penetrate the skin or cause any type of positive skin effect. The benefits seen could be caused by mitragynine and 7-hydroxy-mitragynine, or they could be caused by any of the other smaller compounds and alkaloids that are unique to kratom.
Ultimately, we think that the terpenes, alkaloids, and flavonoids found in kratom are definitely able to create some skincare benefits. The exact benefits, however, are something that you will have to wait a bit longer to find out!
Where to Buy Kratom Skincare Products
As with any kratom-based product, it is important that you take the time to make sure that you are buying from a reputable seller. Kratom is a safe product when harvested, packaged, and processed properly, but not every vendor is going to follow the rules as they should.
Do some basic research before you buy anything from kratom vendors:
- • What are their testing policies?
- • Do they provide any educational information?
- • Do they support kratom regulation initiatives?
By finding out more about how each vendor imports and sells their kratom, you’ll be able to get a better picture of whether or not they are a good choice for you.
