Hemp is being found in more and more beauty products – could this just be a fad or is there something special about this much misunderstood plant? So, how hemp is becoming the hottest beauty ingredient ?

For the last century, there has been a reluctance to accept hemp production due to its connection to the drug marijuana, but word is now getting out that, unlike its psychoactive cousin, industrial hemp contains very little tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) – the component that gets you high.

For that reason, you do not need to fear you are buying something which might get you into trouble, it is completely legal as long as it contains a maximum THC content of 0.2%.

What is hemp oil?

One of the great things about hemp is there is not much of the plant that goes to waste. Hemp fibre is used in lots of industries, turning it into things like fabric and paper, while oils are extracted from the seeds, flowers and leaves of the plant for use in the personal care industry, among others.

There are two different types of hemp oil used in beauty products, cold pressed seed oil and CBD (cannabinoid) oil. The first works well as a moisturiser, the latter is marketed for its believed health benefits, although more research is needed to prove any health benefits.

Hemp seed oil

High levels of omega acids 3, 6, and 9 in hemp seed oil help repair the skin and draw moisture in. It also contains antioxidants and is high in B vitamins and vitamin D too.

It is also reported to reduce inflammation on the skin and may even help regulate oil production, which makes it a worthwhile option for people with acne or who are prone to breakouts.

Beauty products containing hemp seed oil include things like facial serums, moisturisers, body butters and hand or foot creams.

 

CBD oil

Like hemp seed oil, CBD oil is also recommended as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. CBD may also be effective in fighting acne, eczema and psoriasis as well.

There are three different types of CBD oil used in self-care products. These are:

• CBD isolate: the purest form of CBD, with no other cannabinoids or THC
• Broad-spectrum CBD: contains most cannabinoids, but it generally doesn’t include THC
• Full-spectrum CBD: contains all of the cannabinoids found in hemp, including trace amounts of THC

As well as buying ready-made products containing CBD oil, you can also buy the oil itself and just incorporate that into your skincare routine, such as dabbing it under the eyes to reduce puffiness or putting a small amount directly onto problem areas prone to acne or excess sebum. You can use organic CBD oil from platinumcbduk.com for example and keep the rest of your skincare routine exactly the same.

To make sure you are using your skincare products in the correct order, the best time to apply the oil is after cleansing, toning and moisturising.

So, while there is no conclusive evidence currently on the benefits of hemp oil, there is no evidence suggesting it is harmful as a topical product, so there is no reason you could not give it a try to see if it works for you.