Hemp and Your Skincare Routine
This plant has stood the test of time as one of the holistic natural remedies.
For centuries, people have been finding new ways to utilize natural products to take care of their bodies and heal issues from pain to inflammation. More recently, researchers have sought to discover how hemp reduces inflammation and promotes the health of our largest organ, our skin.
How Does Cannabis Benefit Your Skin?
Skin can run into all sorts of problems caused by factors from environmental irritants to genetics.
According to new research from the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia Medical School, CBD ointment may reduce skin inflammation and relieve conditions like psoriasis and atopic dermatitis.
Other research theorizes hemp-derived oils can be beneficial to the skin for purposes of hydration.
There are several types of hemp oils, each with its own unique qualities. Hemp seed oil, rich in cannabinoids, terpenes and other essential plant components, comes directly from pressed hemp seeds. Then there are CBD and THC oils, which are extracted from the hemp plant, heightening the effects of the specifically chosen cannabinoid.
No matter what you decide to use in your skincare routine, hemp could be the answer to treating your delicate skin.
How to Use Cannabis to Benefit Your Skin
Since hemp’s legalization, companies have developed diverse ways to integrate hemp oil and cannabinoids like CBD into skincare products. In fact, cannabis topicals are available in virtually any option you’d find for typical skincare products — whether you’re searching for serums, salves or moisturizers.
As you might know from traditional skincare, the method of use matters. Creams absorb into the skin, whereas ointments stay on the top layer, offering protection from concerns like dry air.
It’s thought that cannabinoid skincare products can moisturize and hydrate your skin, fight conditions like eczema and reduce inflammation and redness/irritation.
Could Other Ingredients Play a Role?
In order to hydrate the skin effectively, it’s best to use a CBD skincare product packed with other nourishing ingredients. When products such as CBD body butter utilize components like shea butter to trap moisture, it, in turn, soothes and hydrates damaged skin.
When it comes down to honing the benefits of CBD and the hemp plant, CBD company Healing Harbors’ Chief Operating Officer, Ashley Lenz, says it all comes down to incorporating any naturally grown ingredient known for fighting skin issues like pain, inflammation, and ageing.
“Simple things, like shea and cocoa butter — even the curry leaf — each have the potential to bring powerful relief when paired with premium quality hemp extract, especially in our topical skincare products. In our home, we use Body Butter almost daily for skincare, bruises, rashes, swelling and pain; you name it. If my daughter gets a boo-boo, she asks for the Body Butter before anything else! There’s something amazing about how well all of those natural ingredients work together for our family.”
Other ingredients, like vitamin E, also contribute to top-quality CBD skincare products. Vitamin E is thought to combat sun damage and protect against ageing. It is also utilized to promote collagen production, which depletes as we age.
According to Laura Fuentes, Chief Executive Officer at Green Roads, diversifying CBD skincare products’ ingredients allow the product to serve different functions. “Each ingredient in Green Roads CBD Skin Relief serves a different purpose. Safflower is commonly used on acne and other skin irritations. Avocado oil moisturizes while bentonite clay helps manage oils that cause acne. Vitamin E supports your skin’s overall health, and CBD manages physical stressors, especially when applied topically. Calm, clean skin is clear and healthy while blemishes are caused (at least in part) by stress and irritants.”
Key Points to Remember
- When choosing a hemp-infused skincare product, be sure to pick one that meets your needs. Match the hemp product you purchase to which one you’d use without the addition of cannabinoids.
- If you’re searching for a product to soothe sore spots, find a hemp-based skincare product that includes ingredients such as menthol or camphor. For cannabis skincare aiming to help dry skin, ensure your product has other vital nutrients like tea tree oil.
- Furthermore, if you’re purchasing from a hemp brand, ensure they employ independent third-party lab testing and publish results, so you know exactly what you’re putting on your skin.
- Don’t forget to make important considerations, such as buying CBD products containing SPF, offering sun protection and trying to stay away from products that use harmful ingredients to keep your skin free of irritants.
Though more research needs to be done, hemp could be a gamechanger for your skincare routine. As in most cases, one size certainly does not fit all, and the best way to find out how CBD skincare could benefit you is to test it on yourself. So, do a patch test of any skincare product you purchase to ensure you do not have a reaction and buy from brands you trust.
The world is a stressful place — make it a little less stressful by adding hemp to your skincare routine!
Kelly Ebbert spends her time writing and researching to make the world a little brighter. She seeks to help people feel comfortable in their own skin. You can find her meditating or enjoying the simple beauties life brings.
