In recent times, hemp oil, also referred to as “hemp seed oil,” has become a go-to option for those seeking to improve skin health. You may have some friends that recently recommended hemp oil as a topical, and you probably have a lot of questions:
- Is hemp oil good for your skin?
- Does it have THC in it?
- What’s the deal with its effects?
You’re not alone; a lot of people are curious about this product and whether it works, despite the hype.
This article will explore the benefits of hemp oil and how effective this topical is as a skin care and regeneration remedy. It’s worthy to note that not all of these benefits have been validated by medical research. Many benefits are anecdotal; however, that doesn’t mean there isn’t some solid research to back up its claims.
Here’s what you need to know about hemp oil for your skin.
How is Hemp Oil Made?
Hempseed oil is made by cold pressing. This process is widely utilized in the production of most essential oils. After the cold press, the oil is mostly left unrefined in its clear green state.
Hemp oil is usually mistaken for cannabidiol (CBD) oil. However, they are not the same. CBD oil is produced from the cannabis plant, while hemp oil is extracted from hemp flowers and leaves.
Hemp oil is purported to have many health benefits. But we’ll be focusing on its skincare qualities.
How Effective are Hemp Oil’s Skin Care Benefits?
Using hemp oil for skin benefits it in various ways. It doesn’t matter if you use it orally or topically. Here is our list of the most significant hemp oil for skin care benefits:
It reduces oily and dry skin
If you are constantly struggling with oily or dry skin, using hemp oil has significant advantages. This is because hemp oil can act both as a moisturizer and balance out the oil in your pores without congesting them. Most beauty or health products are developed to solve only one of these issues at a time.
While you can find products that deal with dry and oily skin simultaneously, you are likely to pay top dollar for such products.
If you have dry skin, hemp oil prevents it from flaking by acting as a moisturizer. Flaky skin causes you to itch. You are also likely to get an infection or inflammation when your skin is dry and flaky.
On the other hand, excessive oil increases the odds of a severe acne attack. Your pores also look pronounced when your skin is producing a lot of oil. Some moisturizers tend to make this condition worse, as they contain large amounts of emollients to make your body look smoother and shiny.
These emollients add more oil in the process!
Using hemp as a moisturizer makes your skin smooth and shiny without clogging your pores with excess oil.
It reduces skin inflammation
As you go about your day, it’s expected that your skin will develop rashes, redness, itchiness now and then. These are signs of inflammation, and it’s a natural response to stress by your body.
However, this becomes an issue when it is regular or chronic.
Asides keeping your skin moisturized, studies have proven that hemp oil is effective at calming any inflammation and irritation. If used as a preventive balm, it can also exhibit anti-inflammatory properties and prevent the possibility of skin infections.
Hemp oil can heal and prevent inflammation and irritation because its rich in two fatty acids: Omega-3 and Omega-6. It also contains a large number of antioxidants.
Some of the everyday skin infections that hemp oil is adept at calming are:
– Atopic dermatitis, commonly called eczema (symptoms are itchiness and skin redness)
– Psoriasis (symptoms of this skin condition include red, flaky scales)
– Lichen Planus (symptoms of this condition are a sudden appearance of rashes on the skin)
– Severe acne, which can degenerate to blackheads and cysts
Asides these inflammatory conditions, the study also proposes that using hemp oil consistently makes the skin tougher and resilient to bacterial, fungal, and viral infections.
It reduces the effects of aging
Everyone is still hunting for the fountain of youth to drink from, but while we wait for the genius who discovers it – we’ve got hemp oil.
Hemp oil contains essential fatty acids called oleic acid and linoleic acid. These fatty acids can’t be made in your body, which is why they are doubly important. You usually have to get them from other sources such as vitamin supplements.
These essential fatty acids toughen the outer layer of your skin. They create a barrier against scrapes, cuts, and the effect of the elements that can cause you to age prematurely or look older.
The barrier they create also helps your skin hold more water. This keeps it supple, healthy and silky. In instances where wrinkles and fine lines have developed or are developing, retaining more water helps smoothen these aging signs.
It increases the amount of oxygen in the skin
The presence of vitamin E in hemp oil is also beneficial to the skin. You, however, get the most out of this benefit by consuming hemp oil orally.
Vitamin E stimulates the body to produce more red blood cells. Red blood cells transport oxygen across the body, including your skin. It also helps in dilating blood vessels.
Appropriately dilated blood vessels mean your red blood cells can transport oxygen and nutrients across the body faster. Blood flow across cells and organs is also faster.
Thus, your skin is much healthier.
Conclusion
Whether consumed orally or applied on the skin, hemp oil is an effective skincare solution. And it’s one solution you can easily take advantage of because of how accessible it is in recent times.
It is also safe to use, and there are no reported side effects. You should, however, use it in moderation. If you are thinking of taking it orally, most skin care experts’ advise that you start with ½ teaspoon of hemp oil a day and increase your dosage as your body adjusts to it.