Over the past few years you may have noticed a rise in cannabis-inspired skincare products on the market. This may have left you wondering what exactly are these products? How are they beneficial to my skin? And, are they even legal?!?
In 2018 hemp farming was added to a farm bill that legalized the production of industrial hemp. With that came legalization of CBD in some localities, thus allowing for CBD infused products. You can check your local laws here.
And while CBD is newly legal in some areas, hemp seed oil (Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil) has legally been used for consumption, and in skincare for decades. The legalization and growing popularity of CBD and other forms of cannabis have brought hemp seed oil products to the forefront.
What is the difference between CBD and hemp seed oil?
Let’s start with proper ingredient names. Products containing hemp seed oil will be listed as cannabis sativa seed oil, whereas CBD is listed as cannabidiol, full-spectrum hemp, hemp oil, PCR or PCR hemp extracts. So check your product ingredients, especially if you are questioning the legality of the product.
Canna-what?
With these terms being so similar it only raises more confusion, so I’ll break it down for you. Marijuana, CBD and hemp seed oil all come from the same plant species, Cannabis Sativa. Under this umbrella there are two varieties, cannabis and hemp. Cannabis is the plant that produces marijuana and contains high levels of THC. Cannabidiol is one of the active components in Cannabis Sativa and can be found in both cannabis and hemp plants. The oil is extracted from the plants and used to produce CBD. If the CBD is derived from a cannabis plant it will contain higher levels of THC, if it is derived from hemp it will only contain trace amounts. Hemp seeds, however, contain 0% THC and are cold-pressed to produce hemp seed oil that is used for cooking and beauty products. Hemp seeds can also be consumed and have high levels of protein and antioxidant benefits.
The benefits of hemp seed oil in skincare
Hemp seed oil is very beneficial in skincare products. Hemp seed oil is excellent for hydrating skin and also is a humectant which means it draws moisture to your skin and that helps retain moisture. Hemp seed also doesn’t clog pores and helps regulate your skin’s natural oil production which helps with keeping acne and other skin irritation at bay. Being high in fatty acids such as omega-6, omega-3 and omega-9, hemp seed oil has natural anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe and tackle redness, swelling and inflammation. These properties also have anti-aging benefits and who doesn’t want less wrinkles? The fatty acids found in hemp seed oil can also help strengthen nails and hair.
Hemp seeds and hemp seed oil can also be incorporated into your diet. They are loaded with antioxidants and amino acids that promote younger looking skin and help reduce inflammation. So hemp seeds and hemp seed oil can also benefit your skin from the inside out. Hemp seeds are nutty in flavor and you can add them to smoothies, mix with granola or add some crunch to your salad.
Which way you decide to gain the benefits of hemp seed and hemp seed oil is ultimately up to you. At askderm we have some fantastic hemp seed oil based skincare products to help you gain those benefits topically through skincare and we can assure you that the brands we carry are legal for use.
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