Hemp oil: the ultimate guide

Hemp oil is an all-natural plant oil extracted from the hemp seeds of the Cannabis sativa plant. This oil is a great natural remedy for a range of skin and health concerns. It also makes for a great health supplement to improve your skin and overall health and wellbeing. 

What is Hemp Oil?

Hemp oil, or hempseed oil, is derived from the hemp seeds of the hemp plant, Cannabis sativa. This oil is often unrefined and has a clear green oil texture with a nutty flavour. You might be wondering: is hemp oil good for you? The short answer? Yes! Hemp oil is rich in omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, gamma-linolenic acid and other powerful nutrients and antioxidants like vitamin B and D. All of these can help heal, improve and regulate our bodily systems including that of our largest organ – our skin. 

Hempseed oil is different from CBD oil and Marijuana. You cannot get high off hemp seed oil as it contains no tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and little to no CBD. Hemp oil can benefit our health in a range of ways. It can heal our skin, promote healthy brain functioning and promote good heart health.  

Hemp oil vs CBD oil:

With the use of CBD oil, or cannabidiol oil, increasing in certain countries, you might be wondering how hempseed oil is different to CBD oil. Firstly, Cannabis (Marijuana) and Hemp come from different varieties of the same plant species, Cannabis sativa. Hemp oil comes from the hemp seed itself, while CBD oil is extracted from hemp flowers and leaves. Hemp oil has been widely legalised and researched for much longer than CBD oil. 

What is hemp oil good for?

Hemp oil is dense in a variety of essential fatty acids and micronutrients that help our body function. As such, there are many hemp oil uses and benefits for our skin and our internal health. And, depending on how you use it, you can target both at the same time.  

Hemp oil for the skin

There are several skin benefits to using hemp oil or hemp oil-based products. Firstly, hemp oil makes for an excellent moisturiser for all skin types as it can deeply nourish the skin without clogging pores. You might be surprised to know that hemp seed oil can help balance oil production in oily skin types, like Jojoba oil. The oil can penetrate the skin's surface layers and restore moisture and hydration, which will prevent the over-production of natural skin oil. 
 

Hempseed oil is also a great skin healer because it contains the omega-6 fatty acid Gamma-linolenic acid. This powerful anti-inflammatory ingredient can stimulate skin growth and new cell generation. If you have irritated skin, including acne and some conditions like Psoriasis, and eczema, topical hempseed oil use can heal and nourish the symptoms. 

Taking hemp oil as a dietary supplement can also help heal skin concerns from the inside out. Studies have shown dietary hempseed oil to help reduce the symptoms and appearance of clinical atopic dermatitis after regular dosage for about 20 weeks. 

And, of course, everyone's favourite – anti-ageing. Yep, in addition to being a great moisturiser, hemp oil will also help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Although linoleic acid and oleic acids in hemp oil aren't produced naturally by our bodies, they are still crucial to improving skin health and preventing ageing. 
 

Hemp oil for the mind and body

Hemp oil can promote optimal brain functioning. Our brains rely on healthful fats like omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to function correctly. Some studies have shown that hemp seed extract's active compounds might help prevent inflammation in the brain, therefore protecting its overall functioning. 
 

Hempseed oil is also believed to be beneficial to maintaining optimal cardiovascular or heart health. The nutrient profile of hemp oil might positively affect various health issues such as high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, and cholesterol levels. One 2014 study even demonstrated that the alpha-linolenic acid in hemp oil can reduce cardiovascular/heart disease risk.  
 

Hemp seed oil has many general nutritional benefits as it is rich in unsaturated fatty acids and essential amino acids. It makes for a great vegan supplement for fish oil capsules, and it can help regulate your immune and digestion system.  
 

How to use hemp oil?

There are a few different ways you can use hemp oil to receive its many health and skin benefits...
 

Topical use of hemp oil

You can apply hemp oil directly to the skin using a pure hemp oil like this one from Every Bit Organic. This application method is particularly great if you have specific dry patches or areas of concern you want to heal naturally. That said, you can rub hempseed oil into the skin on your face and oil regularly as you would a face cream or body lotion. 
 

We recommend doing a small patch test first though, to ensure you're not sensitive to the hempseed oil at all. Simply wash and dry a small a patch of skin on your arm – the crook of your elbow works well. Cover the spot with a sticking plaster and leave for 24 hours. If no irritation, you can safely continue to use pure hemp oil topically. 
 

You can also apply hemp oil in the form of blended and specifically formulated skin care products. Some products combine hemp seed oil with other natural remedies to enhance the skin-improving qualities. We love the Butt Naked Hemp Blemish Face Oil Serum for this as it reduces redness, spots and improves the skin's texture. 
 

Oral use of hemp oil

Ingesting hemp oil can also provide the same skin benefits as topical use, but with the bonus of internal health benefits. Taking hempseed oil orally is unlikely to cause any skin irritation or reaction. However, you might experience some digestive upset. We always recommend talking to your doctor or nutritionist before taking something like hemp oil. 

If you do take hempseed orally, you can take 1–2 teaspoons daily at once or at separate times of the day. If you don't like the taste, you can try adding it to meals in the form of salad dressings or in soups, dips and other cooked meals. For oral consumption, we recommend Hemp Foods Australia Organic Hemp Seed Oil. If you don't want to ingest the oil, you can explore the rest of Hemp Foods Australia's range to find a different hemp supplement that suits you and your lifestyle. 

At Sassy Organics, we select only the highest quality hemp and hemp oil products. So, you can be sure you’re treating your skin and health with the care it deserves. If you’re ready to unlock the benefits of hemp oil but aren’t sure which products to start with, then shop our recommendations below. And feel free to get in touch with any questions or concerns; we’re always happy to help!

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