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Do you like trying out new unconventional skin treatments? Then you are at the right place. Oils used for the skin are hardly a novel idea – people have been using oils as a cosmetic treatment for centuries, whether by direct application, soaking up in oil baths or treating some kind of disease. So, the idea of putting oil on our skin is not new to us. What is new, however, are all the different types of oils that can be found on the market today. It seems like there’s not a plant or substance out there that can’t be cold pressed in order to produce oil out of it.
Today, we’ll be dealing with hemp oil, or, more specifically, hemp seed oil. Not only will you learn what hemp seed oil actually is, but you’ll also get an idea of why it’s used so frequently, what benefits it offers and how to use it on your skin. Once you have all that information, you can decide whether you and hemp seed oil are actually a good match or not. Who knows, maybe it will become your favorite skin treatment? Let’s find out.
Hemp seed oil is a type of oil that’s made with the process of cold-pressing the seeds of the cannabis plant (Cannabis sativa L.). Since it’s made from the hemp seed, it doesn’t contain THC, which is the psychoactive component.
There are two types of hemp seed oil: refined and unrefined. They differ from one another in terms of the way they smell and their color. When it comes to their color, the unrefined kind is actually a dark green color and it has a rather pleasant smell, similar to nuts. Refined hemp seed oil is clear and it doesn’t have a specific smell.
You might be wondering whether these two have any differences in terms of how useful they are for the skin. And you’re right to have such a dilemma since it’s proven that refined hemp seed oil isn’t as beneficial for the skin as the unrefined kind.
And the dilemmas don’t stop there. It’s natural not to be able to tell the difference between hemp seed oil and cannabis, but don’t worry! We’re here to help.
Cannabis is the name which refers to the whole family of plants. Hemp seed is just one variation of that family. They do fall under the same category but they aren’t the same thing.
Another clear distinction needs to be made between hemp seed oil and CBD oil, since they’re often confused. The short answer to the proposed question is no, they’re not the same thing. CBD oil uses more parts of the hemp plant, which have a higher concentration. Hemp seed oil comes strictly from the seeds of the cannabis sativa plant, meaning that only the seeds are involved in its production. This means that hemp seed oil is produced by cold-pressing the seeds of the plant, while CBD uses a method of extraction and isolation of the whole plant and its constituents.
Despite the production process, hemp seed oil is actually quite potent in CBD, among other things. But CBD oil in itself doesn’t contain any psychoactive effects and it’s quite commonly used as medicine due to all of its benefits.
Hemp seed oil is included in so many skincare products for a reason. It contains a myriad of benefits for the skin when applied topically. Not only does it help the skin reach maximum shine and health, but it also helps with some skin conditions which we will discuss. For now, let’s see which skincare benefits you can enjoy if you incorporate hemp oil in your skincare routine.
When it comes to hemp oil, it’s safe to say that one of the most common reasons as to why people reach for it is its ability to give impeccable moisture to the skin. And who doesn’t need moisture on a daily basis? It’s a common misconception that people with oily skin don’t have to moisturize their skin, or that moisturizing might cause breakouts or excessive sebum. In actuality, quite the opposite is true. Dryness can cause your skin to produce more oil than it needs to. Providing regular moisture for oily skin is one of the best ways to ensure that the skin isn’t pumping out more sebum than it actually is.
The good news is that hemp seed oil is non-comedogenic, meaning that it won’t clog your pores because it ranks low on the comedogenic scale. So you can be sure that you’ll be getting plenty of moisture without causing any congestion in the pores. Hemp seed oil will not only give you incredible moisture, but it will also leave your skin glowing and soft. Are you convinced that you need this product in your life yet?
High levels of inflammation is one of the many causes of acne, and generally many diseases for that matter. There are many things that can cause inflammation in your body and disrupt your whole system such as a poor diet, over exercising and certain types of viruses and infections. Hemp seed oil can help in many ways. Due to the omega-6 fatty acids which it contains, this kind of oil can provide anti-inflammatory properties which will help with any skin-related inflammation.
Some bacteria is good for our bodies, but acne-causing bacteria (P.acnes) isn’t one of those. Studies suggest that hemp oil has potential antibacterial properties that can help with acne and other bacteria that cause certain skin issues like psoriasis, eczema, and rosacea. Many of these skin disorders are exasperated by dry skin, so hemp seed oil, with its natural moisturizing benefits, will certainly help in that regard.
There seem to be even more benefits on this extensive list regarding hemp seed oil! Signs of aging is something all of us will have to deal with at some point in our lives. But why not postpone those signs for as long as we can? What if I told you that hemp seed oil can reduce the number of fine lines and wrinkles and wipe years off your face?
Thanks to the linoleic and oleic acid which can be found in hemp seed oil, it can smooth out the texture of your skin and give you a youthful complexion.
All of us need antioxidants in our lives to help with the free radical damage that might be harmful to our bodies. Antioxidants can be found in various food, however, if you like to experience the full benefits which antioxidants can bring to your skin, then it’s best to apply them directly on your face. And luckily for you, hemp seed oil is full of antioxidants! It turns out, hemp seed oil contains fatty acids such as gamma linolenic acid (GLA for short), as well as additional vitamins and minerals, all of which work wonders for the skin.
To add to the previous point, including more antioxidants in your diet as well as your skincare routine is incredibly beneficial for preserving youthful skin. If you’re in need of an extra boost of antioxidants, hemp seed oil is the way to go.
We discussed the anti-inflammatory benefits of hemp oil, which, in turn, might also help with acne. The fatty acids that hemp oil contains moisturize the skin and soothe irritation, redness, and inflammation that often accompanies acne. On top of that, due to its non-comedogenic nature, it can help even with the most acne-prone skin! If your skin is acne-prone or sensitive, there is no need to shy away from hemp seed oil, just make sure that you incorporate it slowly in your skincare routine.
You know by now all the benefits this amazing oil has to offer. So now all that’s left is for you to find the easiest way to incorporate it in your daily life. There are two ways in which you can use hemp seed oil: topically as a skincare product or orally. Each way contains unique benefits, and some people prefer to include it in their skincare as well as their diet. It's important to note that before including it in your diet, it’s crucial that you speak with your doctor or a medical professional.
Now let’s explore all the ways you can use hemp seed oil.
The easiest way to use hemp seed oil is by applying it directly on your skin. If you have dry skin, this will be especially useful for you. This way, it can function as a moisturizer and as a cure for overly dry skin and dry patches. Although we’ve discussed only using hemp oil on your face thus far, it can actually be used all over your body. We all need a good body moisturizer from time to time, so if you’re struggling to choose one, consider hemp seed oil.
If you have sensitive and acne-prone skin, then it’s probably best if you were to use hemp seed oil directly on your pimples, as a direct pimple treatment. Keep in mind that if this is the case, you shouldn’t leave it on for too long, especially if you’re new to the product. Wash it off a couple of minutes after you apply it and follow it up with your regular moisturizer.
Another way you can use hemp seed oil for acne is by adding it in your favorite face mask. Face masks aren’t technically essential for getting clear skin, but they do help a lot for hydrating and cleansing purposes. You can either buy a face mask from the store, or, if you’re slightly more daring, choose a DIY face mask recipe to follow from the comfort of your own home. Whichever way you choose, there’s only one instruction to follow. Simply add a few drops of the oil in your mixture and apply it on your skin as you would normally. After the masks sits on your face for a couple of minutes, wash it off with warm water. This is one of the easiest ways you can incorporate hemp seed oil in your routine, and it’s incredibly time-saving.
Ingesting hemp seed oil also comes with its own benefits. There are many ways you can add hemp seed oil in regular recipes, even if you don’t like the taste. It makes for an amazing salad dressing when combined with spices, and adding it in your smoothie will ensure that you’re getting all the nutrients without compromising the taste (you won’t even feel it!). The recommended daily dosage is one to two tablespoons, taken either at once or one at morning and at nighttime.
No matter how you include it in your diet, make sure it’s approved by your doctor.
As you probably guessed by now, hemp seed oil doesn’t just work miracles on the outside. Hemp seed oil is actually edible and many people include it in their daily diet. After using it for quite some time, there are a couple of benefits you could experience. These benefits include vitamins A and E, minerals, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids.
Another benefit that’s not related to skincare is the ability of hemp seed oil to strengthen the nails and help with stubborn cuticles. By applying hemp seed oil on the nails, you’re helping them grow stronger and longer, for a shorter period of time. All you need to do is take a couple of drops of hemp seed oil and apply it directly on your nails by massaging it gently.
Do you have dry, brittle and generally unhealthy hair? Don’t worry, hemp seed oil can come to the rescue. Applying a small amount of the oil on your hair as a mask before showering is shown to help moisturize and soften the hair and supply it with all the nutrients that it needs. The omega-3 fatty acids will help immensely with hair shine and flyaway hair.
Now that we’ve covered all the benefits this plant has to offer, you might be inspired to purchase one of your own and try it out on your skin. That is great in itself, but there are a couple of things you need to be wary of. Here are the most important things to keep in mind when it comes to purchasing hemp seed oil.
The first thing you’ll need to do is look at the ingredients list. There are a couple of ingredients that usually go into the production of hemp seed oil, but which ingredients go into certain products depends largely on the purpose of the oil. Some of them contain moisturizing ingredients, while others anti-aging ones. It all depends on what the company is trying to accomplish.
That being said, hemp seed oil is also available in a pure form. This option is better if you have sensitive skin or want something that doesn’t contain too many chemicals inside.
If you find that the oil you’ve chosen doesn’t suit your skin type, you can switch it up by trying out another brand or another type of oil altogether.
One of the main concerns people have regarding hemp oil is where to find it. It’s true that it’s harder to get in some areas, so the availability of this product will depend largely on where you’re living at the moment.
There are many options on the market out there, and it can get confusing and overwhelming sometimes for the customers. However, by paying special attention and following the guidelines we mentioned previously, you won’t have a problem finding just the one for your particular skin type.
Hemp oil can be found in health stores, drugstores and other stores that specialize in similar products. Its price varies depending on whether you choose to buy organic hemp seed oil, whether it has any additional ingredients or the kind of brand you choose.
Hemp seed is mostly safe for people who don’t have overly sensitive skin or aren’t allergic to it. It goes without saying that if you do suffer from a hemp allergy, you shouldn’t consume or use hemp oil topically.
If you apply hemp oil topically, you risk mild irritation and redness. For that reason, it’s best to use a patch test when trying out a new product in your skincare routine. Add a small amount of the product on your hand a wait for a reaction within the next 24 hours. If you don’t experience any negative side-effects, that means your skin goes along with the product. You can then continue to apply it on a small part of your face and work your way up.
As far as ingesting hemp oil is concerned, you should be wary of the possibility of an upset stomach and digestion. Just like topical application, start by consuming half a teaspoon of the oil in your diet and then work your way up to the amount you desire.
Hemp oil is a versatile product that offers many benefits from both oral and topical usage. It’s shown to reduce inflammation, slow down aging, help with acne and other skin disorders.
If you do decide to try it out for yourself, make sure you get an approval from your dermatologist or your doctor.
This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances, and its goal is to offer a general view of the subject. In case you are suffering from a severe case of acne, you should consult with a dermatologist or a certified medical professional.
