The celebs, beauty gurus, influencers, brands – everyone is going gaga over it. But what makes the cosmetic industry’s new crush, hemp seed oil, so special? What are its cosmetic benefits and applications? Let’s find out.
Celebrities swear by it.
Instagram influencers add this plant-based oil to their day and night beauty routines.
Those who have tried it are talking about it non-stop.
Major cosmetic labels are rolling out new product ranges infused with this magic oil.
It is in night creams, day creams, lip balms, mascaras, bath salts, lotions, and in everything else too.
You can use it as a standalone product too.
People are over almond, coconut, and other essential oils.
It is the single most promising oil in the cosmetic industry today.
Everyone is either selling or using it.
Not in that category?
Well, then you are surely wondering about the cosmetic industry’s latest crush: the hemp seed oil.
Moisturization, hydration, youthfulness, suppleness, shine…
Ask a Genie for any of these.
It’ll just give you hemp seed oil. It works for everything.
But does it really that good?
Is it another one of those marketing gimmicks?
Are the claims on the packaging true?
Is it the next IT thing in the beauty and personal care industry?
Is it even legal to begin with?
What do its close connections with Mary Jane mean for you?
Is it just a #trend or a revolutionizing storm that will change the cosmetic industry forever?
Too many questions, right?
Let’s take a careful look at the superstar ingredient – hemp seed oil.
And understand its beauty benefits and applications in the cosmetic industry.
What is Hemp Seed Oil?
Hemp seed oil is the oil that is harvested by drying and cold pressing hemp seeds.
It is unrefined, clear green in color, and has a nutty flavor. And is sometimes referred to as hemp oil.
What It Is Not…
Hemp seed oil should not be confused with cannabis or CBD oil. CBD oil is extracted from the leaves or flowers of the cannabis plant.
These are mostly used for consumption because they have a range of health benefits.
Also, it has nothing to do with Mary Jane, weed, pot, or whatever other names you have for the euphoria-giving, ecstasy-inducing strain of the Cannabis Sativa plant.
Hemp seed oil is extracted from the seeds of industrial hemp. It has less than 0.3% of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is what gives marijuana its psychoactive properties.
Topical application (or even consumption) of hemp seed oil will NOT give you a high.
The Return Of The Classic – Why is The Beauty Industry Going Gaga Over Hemp Seed Oil?
Hemp is one of the world’s first cultivated crops.
Beauty applications are just a few of its 50,000+ known uses.
With new ingredients fighting for the spotlight in a fast-changing cosmetic industry, the return of this classic ingredient has everyone wondering…
What makes it special?
Most cosmetic ingredients offer one, two, or maybe five benefits.
But with hemp, the list of its benefits is almost endless.
Your skin, hair, and even nails can benefit from the topical application of hemp seed oil.
That’s why the entire industry is getting hemp-ified.
Here are the five benefits of hemp seed oil that have an obvious and widespread application in the cosmetic industry:
- Hemp Seeds Have the Highest Concentrations of Some Essential Fatty Acids That Make It The Best Moisturizer.
Our bodies cannot produce some essential fatty acids on their own.
But these fatty acids have important biological roles to play.
The hemp seed oil has them.
They promote keratin production.
Replenish missing oils.
And penetrate into the lipid layers of damaged cells to heal them.
This makes hemp seed oil a beauty gold mine.
Plus, it has these omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids in a 3:1 ratio.
This is the most suitable ratio for polyunsaturated fatty acids. And hemp seed oil is the only oil with that ratio.
That’s why it is called nature’s most perfectly balanced oil. And has unmatched moisturizing capabilities.
Hemp seed oil is also a natural humectant.
(What it means is that it pulls moisture into the skin. It helps moisture reach between the cells, which strengthens the cell-matrix.)
Thus, the most common application of hemp seed oil in the cosmetic industry is as a moisturizing agent.
- Hemp Seed Oil is Anti-Inflammatory, Which Makes It Super Healthy For Your Skin
The gamma-linoleic acid (GLA) and omega-9 fatty acids in hemp seed oil give it anti-inflammatory properties.
Studies have noted that hemp seed oil makes the skin stronger. And much more capable of resisting infections.
Plus, it can be used in the treatment of skin conditions like eczema.
It is also extremely suitable for treating acne.
How?
Hemp seed oil is known to reduce the production of sebum.
And sebum is the natural oil that your skin produces.
When too much of it is produced, your skin gets oily.
Your pores get clogged.
They trap dirt.
And then you know how those red bumps keep popping one after the other.
Hemp seed oil limits sebum production by not letting the sebaceous glands run in overdrive. It thus eliminates the chances of clogged pores and acne.
Eliminates?
Completely?
Yes, the hemp seed oil is non-comedogenic.
This means there is a 0% chance that it will clog your pores. This also makes it a good base for makeup or even night cream, if you please.
And FYI, almond, coconut, and olive oil scored 2, 4, and 2, respectively, on the comedogenic scale. (The highest possible score is 5)
Hemp seed oil even has a preventive effect on cytokines. (These are are pro-acne, inflammatory agents.)
Did you know hemp is antimicrobial?
Add that to its anti-inflammatory properties, and you know your skin is in good care with hemp seed oil.
- Hemp Seed Oil Is 100% Suitable For All Skin Types
As we discussed earlier, hemp seed oils moisturize your skin. Perfect to combat dry skin.
But what when you have oily skin?
Hemp seed oil deep cleanses your skin.
It prevents excess sebum production.
And it keeps dirt and grime at bay.
Its lightweight consistency further saves you from the heavy and oily feeling.
And of course, a normal or combination skin type can also benefit from this wonderful oil.
This mild and gentle beauty ingredient is also good for those with sensitive skin.
After all, all it is composed of is nature’s wholesome goodness.
However, I still suggest you do a patch test before using any cosmetic product with hemp seed oil. Or pure hemp seed oil, if you are using that.
- Hemp Seed Oil Protects Your Skin From Oxidization And Ageing
Fatty acids make hemp seed oil an excellent source of nourishment for your skin.
But there’s more.
Hemp has a long list of vitamins that reads almost like someone is reciting the alphabet (Vitamin A, B, C, D, E, and more).
It also has iron, potassium, magnesium, and folic acid.
And then there are antioxidants.
And with this loaded composition, hemp seed oil keeps wrinkles and fine lines at bay. You have mostly the linoleic and oleic acid to thank for this one.
Hemp’s anti-aging benefits are not just preventive but also regenerative.
The amino acids present in hemp seed oil make your skin look plump. It also regenerates your skin’s natural protective layer. With regular use of hemp seed oil, you can actually rewind the clock of time on your skin.
- Hemp Seed Oil Also Offers Added Sun Protection.
Hemp offers natural sun protection. The hemp fabric has a UPF of 50+, which is the highest score yet.
Now, UPF is the fabric’s version of SPF (Sun Protection Factor).
In clinic trials, hemp seed oil has shown potential for being used for broad-spectrum sun protection.
To state simply, hemp seed oil can be used to supplement your sunscreen. Dermatologists recommend sunscreens with an SPF of at least 30.
The hemp seed oil has a score of around 6.
It cannot eliminate the need for sunscreen. But it can surely enhance the protection that your regular sunscreen offers.
Given the plenty of other benefits that it offers, brands can bank on hemp seed oil-infused sunscreens. They offer more sun protection and, of course, the array of benefits inherent to hemp seed oil.
That’s a lot of benefits and a lot of topical applications for your skin, right?
Well, that’s just one aspect of how magical the hemp seed oil is.
Other than the skin, hemp seed oil finds cosmetic application for your hair and nails. Plus, it can also be an active ingredient in makeup removers too.
Here’s how:
Hemp Seed Oil Can Give You Long, Strong, Lustrous and Healthy Hair
Got a dandruff problem?
Dry and flaky scalp?
Hemp seed oil’s moisture-retaining properties are here to the rescue. It will deeply condition your hair and give your scalp much-needed extra hydration.
The vitamin-rich hemp seed oil is good for the beard, lashes, and brow. It speeds up hair growth, gives your hair a tame and shiny look, and keeps them healthy.
It Is Great For Nail Care
Massaging and rubbing hemp seed oil onto your nails and cuticles is all you need to keep them hydrated. And proper hydration will make your nails strong and shiny.
Plus, the hemp seed oil is antifungal. So, say goodbye to nail infections.
Hemp Seed Oil Is A Natural, High-Efficiency Makeup Remover
Hemp seed oil works much better than water-based makeup removers and cleansers.
It not just helps dissolve oil and wax in the makeup but also removes debris and excess pigments. Thus, leaving your skin clean, fresh, and healthy.
Well, given these beauty benefits of hemp, what’s worth wondering is…
Why didn’t the cosmetic industry turn to it earlier?
One of the possible reasons could be the legislative hassles involved with hemp. This brings us to another pressing question…
Is The Wonder Oil Legal?
Yes, it is.
Till a couple of years ago, industrial hemp was considered similar to marijuana. Growing and using hemp was not allowed.
But the decades of ignorance and misunderstanding are finally ending.
Industrial hemp is finally getting legal status in several countries.
Governments have finally understood the difference between the two strains of the Cannabis Sativa plant.
India, the USA, Canada, and the UK are some of the countries where growing industrial hemp and its use is legal. Albeit with licensing and more than the average amount of legislation involved.
Hemp Seed Oil – The Guarantee Of Socially Conscious, Environment-Friendly Beauty
Other than being loaded with beauty benefits, hemp is also an environment-friendly crop.
Here’s how the cosmetic industry is contributing to nature by promoting and using hemp seed oil:
- It is a fast-growing, high-yield crop with a growth cycle of 90 to 120 days. It has enough produce to satiate the ever-increasing demands of the cosmetic market.
- Hemp sequesters (takes in) 1.63 tons of carbon dioxide per acre.
- The hemp crop needs no pesticides, insecticides, weedicides, or fertilizers. It is naturally disease-resistant and wards off weeds and pests.
- Hemp’s long roots hold the soil and prevent soil erosion.
- Growing hemp requires less water, and it is a mostly rainfed crop. It creates no extra pressure on the already strained freshwater sources of the world.
If you love nature and Mother Earth, it is impossible not to love hemp.
Also, the cosmetic industry’s renewed interest in hemp seed oil brings in tow a host of social benefits.
Hemp can grow anywhere.
Even in places where nothing else can.
That’s why hemp farming can be used as a source of extending employment to some marginalized and resource-deprived sections of society.
At Hemp Foundation, we are working towards bringing back life to lifeless villages in the Indian state of Uttarakhand.
Located in the Indian Himalayan Region, the villages where our farms are located are populated by women left behind by their husbands, who went to cities to fend for themselves.
And they have children to feed and the elderly to look after.
What they don’t have is a source of livelihood or a sense of self-worth. We provide them that.
Hemp Foundation employs these women in hemp farming, processing of hemp seed oil, and even the production of hemp cosmetics, among other things.
Our efforts give them financial independence and respect.
And I am proud to say that every time you use a hemp product from Hemp Foundation to enhance your beauty, you are making life better for someone in rural Uttarakhand.
When you look at yourself after having used hemp seed oil for its beauty benefits, know that the smile of these women mirrors yours. And of course, nature smiles too. After all, you are making a conscious choice towards being eco-friendly.
Hemp seed oil is probably an ingredient sourced from God’s own beauty cabinet. Its widespread applications in the cosmetic industry and truckload of the benefits are proof. And now, it is time for you to give hemp seed oil some space on your dressing table.
Start shopping right away.
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Sources:
- https://www.femina.in/beauty/skin/beauty-benefits-of-hemp-seed-oil-167189-2.html
- https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/Headlines/Promotional-Features/Hemp-Seed-Oil-Trendy-sustainable-with-proven-efficacy-for-skin
- https://www.healthline.com/health/hemp-oil-for-skin#benefits-for-your-skin
- https://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/hemp-on-a-high-why-beauty-products-are-turning-to-hemp/article25709457.ece
- https://www.stephensonpersonalcare.com/blog/2019-05-13-ingredient-spotlight-hemp-oil-in-the-personal-care-industry
- https://cosmeticsbusiness.com/news/article_page/What_can_hemp_do_for_beauty/122380
- https://www.byrdie.com/hemp-oil-for-skin
- https://thehempmag.com/2020/05/7-reasons-to-incorporate-hempseed-oil-into-your-beauty-routine/
- https://www.healthline.com/health/hemp-oil-for-skin
- https://www.ellabache.com.au/blogs/ella-bache/4-reasons-to-include-hemp-oil-in-your-skin-care-routine
