Hemp seed oil is the new buzzworthy ingredient that skincare fans can't stop raving about, and thankfully, it's easier than ever to reap hemp seed oil's benefits in your routine. But what is hemp seed oil? And why is it being called one of nature's greatest gifts for our skin? Here's the inside scoop on hemp seed oil’s skin benefits.
What is Hemp?
The hemp plant is an aromatic annual herb, usually erect, with slender cane-like stalks that are hollow except at the tip and base. The plant’s flowers are relatively small and of a greenish-yellow color, while the hemp leaves are in a palate shape.
Hemp offers two main valuable materials: fiber and seeds. While the hemp plant is predominantly cultivated for its fiber, the seeds also have functional applications:
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The hemp plant’s fiber is one of the strongest and most durable natural textile fibers. Its longevity and strength are used in ropes, fabric, and paper.
New innovative applications have recently been used to create hemp plastic products. - Hemp seeds are technically a nut that can be eaten raw or used to make vegan milk, protein powder, and oil. Hemp seeds contain high levels of omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids that can help support healthy cholesterol levels, immune system function, and may help regulate your metabolism.
Click here to learn more about the other powerful skincare ingredients from the cannabis plant, as explained by Blunt Skincare's founder and chemist, Stas Chirkov. He answers all your burning questions regarding hemp seed oil, the benefits of cannabidiol (CBD), and what full-spectrum really means.
How Hemp Seed Oil is Pressed From Hemp Seeds
Before hemp seeds can be cold pressed to produce hemp seed oil, the seeds need to be cleaned and de-shelled. The only way the oil can include any notable levels of THC or CBD is if the seeds are contaminated by the outer protective leafy matter, meaning that cleaning is vitally important to produce CBD and THC-free hemp seed oil.
The hemp seed is then loaded into hoppers where the cold expeller press equipment extracts and separates the oil. The hemp seed oil is then transferred through a filtration process, which removes all solids from the oil and produces top-quality, clear, food-grade hemp seed oil.
4 Hemp Seed Oil Skin Benefits to Take Note Of
Hemp seed oil is being formulated into an array of skincare products for its bountiful and nourishing effects on the skin. Here are four hemp seed oil skin benefits that’ll have you jumping at the chance to add the ingredient to your skin care routine:
Hemp Seed Oil Can Help Reducing Inflammation
Hemp seed oil is a rich source of omega-3 and omega-6 (gamma-linolenic) fatty acids, which are essential and necessary to support human health. Including virgin hemp seed oil in your diet can promote healthier skin by reducing Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL), dryness, and itchiness associated with skin issues like atopic dermatitis. This means that hemp seed oil may have the ability to soothe tired, dry skin and decrease irritation and inflammation by providing relief to certain skin conditions.
Hemp Seed Oil Deeply Moisturizes
When used topically in skin care products, the hemp seed oil is a true savior when it comes to dry skin. Research has shown that hemp seed oil can rejuvenate and nourish the skin while preventing itchiness and flakiness as essential fatty acids are readily absorbed into the skin. 75% of these fatty acids are polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), commonly used for their excellent emollient and lubricating properties. This means that when hemp seed oil is used on the face, it may control oil production to moisturize without clogging pores as it is non-comedogenic.
Hemp Seed Oil Can Help Restoring Natural Skin Barrier
When the very top layer of the skin, also known as the skin's natural barrier, is damaged, the skin can feel dry, itchy, or sensitized. Many factors can contribute to the disruption of the skin barrier, and repairing it will help to achieve a healthier and smoother complexion. The hemp seed oil contains essential fatty acids that help the skin to retain moisture, resulting in healthy, hydrated skin that radiates a gorgeous glow. In addition, it’s known to restore the skin barrier, which can shield your skin against damaging environmental aggressors that may cause premature aging, such as pollution, radiation, and exposure to extreme temperatures.
Hemp Seed Oil Can Prevent Free Radical Damage
Hemp seed oil can protect your skin and help to keep harmful toxins at bay as it contains antioxidants, such as vitamin E, along with a profile of nutrients that boosts skin health and helps reverse free radical damage. The high content of antioxidants like vitamins A, C, E, and F, along with fatty acids, can strengthen the outer layer of the skin to help it preserve water. In addition, the linoleic acid and oleic acids found in hemp seed oil can't be naturally produced by the body but can play a pivotal role in anti-aging and overall skin health. This can keep your skin looking and feeling firmer and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, leaving you with a youthful complexion.
Blunt Skincare’s Seed Hydrating Facial Oil Is Formulated With Hemp Seed Oil
Blunt Skincare’s Seed Hydrating Facial Oil is formulated with high-quality ingredients you’ll never have to question, including a blend of hemp seed oil and sacha inchi that absorbs deep into the skin, visibly improving the skin’s texture while giving a hydrated, plump look.
To reap all of the hemp seed oil skin benefits mentioned above, we recommend applying the oil after water-based serums and toners or before your moisturizer to lock in all of the goodness. You can use it as a part of your everyday regimen or with a gua sha for added benefits.
Click here to learn more about Blunt Skincare’s Seed Hydrating Facial Oil and its formulated ingredients. Don’t forget to let us know how you use our oil in the comments below!
References
1. Callaway, James & Schwab, Ursula & Harvima, Ilkka & Halonen, Pirjo & Mykkänen, Otto & Hyvönen, Pekka & Järvinen, Tomi. (2005). Efficacy of dietary hempseed oil in patients with atopic dermatitis. The Journal of dermatological treatment. 16. 87-94. 10.1080/09546630510035832.
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3. Lin TK, Zhong L, Santiago JL. Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils. Int J Mol Sci. 2017 Dec 27;19(1):70. doi: 10.3390/ijms19010070. PMID: 29280987; PMCID: PMC5796020.
4. KiralanM., GülV., & Metin KaraS. (2010). Fatty acid composition of hempseed oils from different locations in Turkey. Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research, 8(2), 385-390. https://doi.org/10.5424/sjar/2010082-1220
5. Nissen L, Zatta A, Stefanini I, Grandi S, Sgorbati B, Biavati B, Monti A. Characterization and antimicrobial activity of essential oils of industrial hemp varieties (Cannabis sativa L.). Fitoterapia. 2010 Jul;81(5):413-9. doi: 10.1016/j.fitote.2009.11.010. Epub 2009 Dec 4. PMID: 19969046.