Lotion

A lotion is a lighter-weight cannabis topical — a water-in-oil or oil-in-water emulsion with higher water content and lower oil and wax content than a balm. Lotions are pourable or pump-dispensed, absorb quickly, and feel non-greasy, making them suitable for larger body areas and daytime use. Typical construction combines a water phase, an oil phase, an emulsifier (stearic acid, cetyl alcohol, lecithin, or glyceryl stearate), a preservative, cannabinoid-infused oil, and optional terpenes or essential oils. The water-heavy matrix favors sensory elegance over cannabinoid delivery: because cannabinoids are highly lipophilic, they partition less efficiently from a water-dominant lotion into the skin's lipid-rich stratum corneum than from a heavier oil or wax base. Lotions are therefore most appropriate for broad, subtle application and cosmetic use rather than targeted spot relief. Standard potency ranges from 50 to 500mg cannabinoid per 1–4 ounce container. Like other topicals, cannabis lotions are generally non-intoxicating, with all the caveats that apply to the topical category. → See also: Topical, Balm. ---