For many years, we have seen a lot of skincare ingredients come and go. Many of them have taken turns promising untold benefits and skincare solutions. However, only a few of them are really effective. An example is hemp seed oil, as its benefits have been proven scientifically. That is why most people consider hemp seed oil to be a nutrient powerhouse for the skin.
Today, you will find a lot of lotions that contain hemp seed oil as one of their ingredients or main ingredient. Also, the popular belief that hemp seed oil contains mind or mood-altering THC due to its association with the cannabis plant is not true. In fact, the hemp seed oil is one of the greatest gifts of nature for people’s skin health. It is extracted from the hemp seeds of the Cannabis Sativa plant, unlike CBD, which comes from the leaves and flowers of the plant.
If you have been seeing lotions that contain hemp seed oil and wondering what good they can bring to your skin, you’re in the right place. In this post, we are giving you the beautiful benefits of hemp seed oil in a lotion.
What is Hemp Seed Oil?
Hemp seed oil is commonly known as hemp oil. It is extracted from the seeds of the Cannabis sativa plant through the process of cold-pressing. Most of the time, the oil is unrefined, has a clear green color, and can have a nutty flavor.[1]
As mentioned earlier, hemp oil is different from cannabidiol (CBD) oil, which is an extract of the cannabis plant and uses hemp flowers and leaves for its production. Hemp oil is made from the hemp seed itself and often does not contain any tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the psychoactive component.[1] Hemp seed oil can be marketed on its own or added as an ingredient in moisturizing topicals like lotions.
Cold-pressed hemp seed oil is commonly used to prepare medicines, cosmetics, and body care products like lotions, moisturizers, soaps, shampoos, and conditioners. Since hemp oil contains high amounts of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, it acts as a good moisturizer for all types of skin. It is also non-comedogenic and astringent in nature, which can help regulate excess oil and prevent the chance of acne.[2]
The Benefits of Hemp Seed Oil on the Skin
Essential oils are an important part of a skincare routine, particularly if you want to keep your skin in tip-top shape. There are many purported benefits of incorporating an oil or two into your daily skincare routine, such as achieving clear skin, a brighter complexion, and evened-out discoloration. And these include the use of hemp seed oil, specifically in lotions.
There are many skincare benefits that you can get from using lotions that contain hempseed oil. Below are some of them:
Hemp seed oil can help in moderating the oil production of the skin.
Many people might be thinking that if the skin is oily it doesn’t need any more hydration. However, this is wrong. Oily skin is usually a result of dry skin conditions, and it is a sign that the skin needs extra care and moisture. It’s because dryness can cause the skin to overproduce oil as a means to compensate for the lack of moisture.[3]
Excess oil, along with dry skin debris, may lead to clogged pores, acne, and other unwanted skin issues. The use of lotions that contain hemp seed oil can help prevent dry skin without clogging the pores. They can also help in reducing any acne that is caused by excess oils.[3]
Hemp seed oil provides the skin with anti-inflammatory properties.
Several components of hemp seed oil provide it its strong anti-inflammatory properties. This makes it a good remedy for inflammatory conditions of the skin, including psoriasis. Based on research, hemp seed oil contains a high concentration of GLA or ɣ-linolenic acid, which is an omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid known to exhibit significant anti-inflammatory properties. These, along with other compounds, are also known to decrease inflammation in the skin.[2]
Hemp seed oil can help treat atopic dermatitis.
The richness of hemp seed oil in omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids is among the factors that make it beneficial to the skin. When added to lotions, applying it topically on the skin may help treat skin conditions like atopic dermatitis. In fact, there is one random, single-blind crossover study that found hempseed oil was able to reduce the symptoms and appearance of clinical atopic dermatitis after 20 weeks.[1]
Hemp seed oil may help delay skin aging.
Skin aging is natural, but there are some detrimental factors, like oxidative stress from excess sun exposure, pollution, and dehydration, that can cause the skin to age prematurely. But hemp seed oil is among the skincare ingredients out there that are known to delay skin aging by promoting collagen synthesis and reducing free radical damage to the skin cells.
There was also research that reported myrcene, a monoterpene found in hemp seed oil contains amazing antioxidant and anti-aging properties. This helps in downregulating the production of reactive oxygen species, which reverses the harmful effects of photoaging.[2]
Hemp seed oil can help restore the skin.
Hemp seed oil is utilized as a moisturizer and an anti-inflammatory. In addition to providing hydration to the skin, it can also nourish and restore it. It can moisturize the skin without clogging the pores, and it can also balance out overly dry or even oily skin. With this, it is effective in alleviating different skin concerts, such as redness, itchiness, flakiness, and acne. This is one of the best benefits that you can get from using lotions that contain hemp seed oil.[3]
Hemp seed oil can heal acne.
Based on reports, acne is the 8th most prevalent disease in the world, and it affects about 9.4% of the total population.[2] It controls three of the main causes that lead to the pathogenesis of acne, which are bacterial infection, sebum, and inflammation. It also helps regulate the oil secretion on the face, which prevents the chances of pore-clogging that leads to comedone or the formation of whiteheads and blackheads.
The hemp seed oil also has antimicrobial activity against Propionibacterium acnes bacteria or acne-causing bacteria, treating the infection in the skin pores. The anti-inflammatory nature of hemp seed oil can also reduce inflammation and accelerate the healing process of acne.[2]
How is Hemp Seed Oil Used Topically
Since we are talking about the benefits of hemp seed oil in lotions, let us also discuss how it is used topically. Hemp seed oil can be used as a moisturizer for all skin types. It can be either applied directly on the skin, or you can choose to purchase lotions and moisturizers that contain hemp seed oil as their main ingredient.
Even though hemp is found in a lot of products, body lotions use it as one of their key ingredients. It is extracted from the seed of the plant and is refined when going to be added to beauty products, such as lotions and moisturizers.
When using hemp seed oil directly on the skin, adding other ingredients, such as aloe vera gel, almond oil, honey, olive oil, or coconut oil, can be great, especially if you are aiming to moisturize your skin. Just make sure to wash off after an hour. You can also use lotions that contain hemp seed oil on your skin daily for healthy results.[2]
Side Effects and Risks of Using Products with Hemp Seed Oil
Most people can use hemp seed oil or products like lotions that contain hemp seed oil safely. They usually don’t contain any THC or psychoactive properties. However, using hemp seed oil topically may cause mild irritation to some people. Therefore, before using any products that contain this oil, it is important to do a small patch test first on a small part of your skin.
There are more side effects and risks associated with hemp seed oil when it is consumed orally. These may include loosened stools or digestive upset due to their oily and fatty nature. In addition, hemp seed oil can also interact with blood thinners by inhibiting platelets. That is why it is important to seek advice from a doctor before taking hemp seed oil orally.
Generally, lotions that contain hemp seed oil are safe to be used on all types of skin. But in case irritation and other skin issues occur after use, discontinue the use of the product immediately and consult a dermatologist.
Conclusion
When applied topically, whether pure or incorporated into lotions, hemp seed oil offers many benefits for skin health, and a lot of people can take advantage of those benefits. It is considered safe for most people to use. It can provide moisturization to the skin and help treat and prevent skin issues, such as dryness, oiliness, acne, premature aging, and eczema or atopic dermatitis. We hope this post helped you learn more about the beautiful benefits of hemp seed oil in lotions.
References
[1] Gotter, A. (2019, July 3). Hemp oil for skin: Benefits and how to use for your face. Healthline. Retrieved January 9, 2023, from https://www.healthline.com/health/hemp-oil-for-skin
[2] Chatterjee, S. (2022, September 16). Top 6 benefits of using hemp seed oil in your skin care. Vedix. Retrieved January 9, 2023, from https://vedix.com/blogs/articles/hemp-seed-oil-benefits-for-skin
[3] Dawn, E. (2022, August 8). The benefits of hemp seed oil for your skin. Unilever Dawn. Retrieved January 9, 2023, from https://www.dawn.co.za/articles/the-benefits-of-hemp-seed-oil-for-your-skin.html