By now you’ve probably heard all about essential oils and how good they are for your beauty routine. Think Vitamin E oil for your skin, Moroccan Oil for your hair and oil diffusers for your mood. Although we know about these oils, one oil you may not have tried or even heard of is hemp oil. For some people, hearing the word “hemp” makes them think of marijuana, and while that’s somewhat true, there are some major differences (and major benefits) to this oil.
Hemp oil and cannabis oil are two different things
First things first, hemp oil and cannabis oil are not the same thing. They do come from the same plant (called the hemp plant), however, each comes from a different part of the plant. According to Harmony, a company that pioneers hemp products, hemp oil comes from the extracted and cold-pressed seeds of the plant, while cannabis oil comes from the flower of the plant (the leaves and the stalk). Harmony provided this easy-to-follow diagram to help us better understand!
So, you won’t be getting high from your skincare – but there are major benefits to using this oil.
The benefits of hemp oil
Hemp oil is kind of magical. Remember when we found out all the amazing things coconut oil could do for our hair, skin, nails and overall wellness? Well, it’s the same thing with hemp oil. Byrdie reports that the oil is acne-clearing, moisturizing, wrinkle-reducing and nail-strengthening! The oil acts as a humectant, which attracts and locks in moisture.
If you suffer from acne, hemp oil is bae because it won’t clog pores or lead to breakouts, and can even soothe irritated skin. NEED.
Hemp oil products to try
If you haven’t tried anything from the brand Hempz yet, I highly suggest checking them out! Their moisturizers and lip balm are incredible (and super affordable!).
The Body Shop also has a line of hemp products like lotions and the infamous Hemp Soap on a Rope.
This Indian Hemp and Haitian Vetiver 24-hour deodorant is another hemp product worth trying (especially considering it’s only $6 at Walmart). The best thing about this product is unlike most deodorants, it doesn’t contain aluminum. ICYMI, aluminum blocks our sweat glands, which is actually pretty bad for your bod, so this natural alternative is a great option that won’t harm your health.
Lastly, what would a list be without a mask! HEMP360 released an All Over Mud Hemp + Cocoa mask and honestly, it’s the mask of our dreams. With other powerful ingredients like mud and Himalayan sea salt, you can’t go wrong.
Things to watch out for
As the case is with anything we’re putting on or in our bodies, there are some things to look out for and be cautious of! Everyone’s body is unique and may react differently, so the first precaution to take is to experiment with oils in small doses, in small areas. Secondly, ZLiving cautions readers that the oil should be kept refrigerated and not heated up. When the oil is heated, those rich unsaturated fats Zeichner was talking about get denatured into saturated fats (the bad fats).
Now that you’re informed about hemp and its benefits, go try it out!