With cannabidiol, aka CBD, becoming ever more popular, it is no wonder that its cousin, hemp oil, is coming into the limelight as well. Various skincare and cosmetic lines are now including different products that tout how hemp oil is beneficial for different skin issues.

Though there are potential studies out there that state multiple health benefits of hemp oil, it is still very difficult to determine how beneficial it will be with skin problems. This article will not only talk about the potential benefits of hemp oil for skin but the differences of CBD and hemp oil and the potential dangers it may have with the body and medications.

What is the Difference Between Hemp Oil and CBD Oil?

Before we discuss the benefits of hemp oil for skin, let’s clarify some confusion around hemp oil and CBD oil.

First, CBD and hemp oil are not interchangeable. This is due to from where the oil is extracted in terms of the cannabis plant. The Control Substance Act states that the mature stalk and sterilized seed are exempt from the legal definition of marijuana. CBD-rich oil is extracted from the flowers, stalks and leaves of the hemp plant, which contain a higher concentration of CBD than whole plant oil.

Hemp oil is usually found from seeds of the Cannabis sativa plant and does not contain the same levels of compounds as the plant itself. Hemp seed oil contains no CBD, no THC, no plant cannabinoids but it contains many different vitamins that may help improve the skin.1,5 Commercially sold hemp oil (whole plant oil) also contains these healthy vitamins, but has some amounts of cannabinoids, including CBD and trace amounts of THC. However, the amount of THC must meet the federal limit of less than 0.3% THC if being sold commercially.

Why Skin Conditions Are So Important

Although the majority of skin conditions are not “life-threatening” they can be extremely detrimental to a person’s quality of life.

The skin is your body’s largest organ. It helps protect your body and acts as a barrier against toxic compounds from the environment that we experience day to day. Therefore, it is important we give it the respect it deserves and take care of it.

In addition to this, your skin is one of the first things people notice about you. So, if it is dry, cracking, peeling, or if it has patches on it – it can make people feel self-conscious. Many people don’t like to wear shorts or short-sleeved tops because they do not like to show their skin.

Another condition that can affect this is acne. Since acne usually appears on the face, it is hard to cover up. Even makeup can only do so much for it, leaving people feeling embarrassed by their skin.

All of these negative feelings can lead to decreased mental health such as experiencing more anxiety or depression. Therefore, these conditions need to be addressed.

Benefits of Hemp Oil for Skin

Hemp oil itself is rich in essential fatty acids (aka EFAs such as omega- 6 and omega-3 fatty acids) and may prevent moisture loss in the skin and help prevent premature aging. Therefore, it is proposed to be effective in moisture balance of the skin.

Due to its potential anti-inflammatory properties, it may help with certain skin conditions. However, the dosages studied that could potentially achieve these anti-inflammatory properties are higher than what is used in other medical conditions. Further clinical studies need to be done to determine if there is therapeutic potential in omega-6 or omega-3 fatty acids that could promote any anti-inflammatory properties.12

However, a combination of essential fatty acids is necessary for healthy cell production and good skin. Including hemp oil into your diet or skincare regimen may potentially help improve dry skin.2,4

Benefits of Hemp Seed Oil for Skin

Gamma-Linolenic Acid

Hemp seed oil also contains gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), another kind of omega-6 fatty acid. This fatty acid has several skin health benefits and anti-inflammatory properties. GLA is reportedly effective in helping to fight water loss in the skin and epidermal hyper-proliferation. Epidermal hyper-proliferation is a term for when the outer layer of skin keeps creating new skin cells. This action can cause patches on skin and even clog pores.

One study gave GLA-containing food to adults with dry skin and then they were evaluated. They found that GLA could prove useful in subjects with pro-inflammatory features and showcased hardly any side effects.11 This fatty acid is typically found in evening primrose oil or borage oil which are common ingredients in different skincare products that are currently on the market. Currently, the studies state that having something rich in GLA being incorporated into diets may have many beneficial uses.2,4

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is another important skin vitamin found in hemp seed oil. Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin. It is also thought to help support the immune system, cell functions, and overall skin health. Furthermore, it is known that vitamin E is an antioxidant that can potentially help with reducing free radicals. These free radicals are produced by the metabolism of food and the toxins that are prevalent in the environment.

Vitamin E levels tend to decrease while we age. The theory is that due to this decrease of vitamin E, our skin starts to show signs of aging. So, supplementation of vitamin E to help normalize the levels might help combat the aging of the skin.13 There are currently no good studies that supplement these claims. Additionally, vitamin E is found in many foods that we eat in our diet, so in theory we would all have ageless skin (we wish, right?). Therefore, it is inconclusive if the vitamin E component of hemp seed oil is the main reason why people see the benefits of hemp oil for skin.

Hemp Seed Oil

According to a 2005 study in the Journal of Dermatological Treatment conducted in Finland, hemp seed oil was found to help alleviate dermatitis, an inflammation of the skin. The scientists that conducted the study found that symptoms of dryness and itching were significantly improved in the patients after using hemp seed oil for 20 weeks. This in theory could be true since hemp seed oil is rich in fatty acids which help with the cell production in skin and keeping our skin moisturized.3

Hemp Oil and Acne

Due to the fatty acids found in hemp oil, it may be helpful in balancing the skin and preventing inflammation that can result in acne. Currently, there is no study that states the beneficial use of hemp seed oil and alleviating acne. But there may be some research supporting the use of CBD oil for acne.

There has been some research regarding CBD and acne, and since hemp oil contains CBD, it will likely have these effects as well. One study stated that the addition of CBD from the plant matter may also help clear acne. Researches stated that CBD may affect the glands in people with chronic acne, leading to reduced sebum production and potentially helping clear or prevent acne breakouts.

Research has also shown that CBD affects the regulation of skin cells and may decrease the overproduction of skin cells. Having too many skin cells can lead to build up on the skin, like the plaques of red and/or white that are seen in psoriasis, and it can clog pores leading to acne. Therefore, researchers suggest that CBD could be an untapped resource and may provide some better treatment options in the future.

Drug Interactions

Though most of the products are administered topically when dealing with skin conditions, systemic absorption is usually not a major issue. However, hemp oil also has the potential to interact with medications like with any supplement or herbal product you may take.

Most medications are changed and broken down by the liver in order to be eliminated from the body. Hemp oil is proposed to interact with the liver in a similar way. Thus, it potentially causes interactions with medications.

Two medications that stand out in larger studies are clobazam, a medication that treats seizures caused by Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, and valproic acid, a medication that treats seizures, migraine headaches, and bipolar disorder. Hemp oil has the potential to cause the decreased breakdown of clobazam. This action then increases the effects of the medication because there is more active clobazam in the blood than normal, and this leads to higher incidences of side effects and toxicity. For the medication valproic acid, due to the fact both are broken down in the liver, the potential for liver injury is high.8,9 However, both of these studies were specifically about CBD and it was with extremely high doses of CBD. This is because it was studied with Epidiolex, the FDA approved medication containing CBD, and the doses were larger to represent a pharmaceutical grade product. These doses are higher than what is sold online or over the counter, so those may not have the same effect. However, it is always best practice to err on the side of caution when it comes to your health.

When considering taking hemp oil or any supplement in general, please consult your physician or pharmacist before taking any of these products. Many people assume that since these are “natural” products they are always safe to use; however, this is not the case. Natural products can still interact with your system just like any other medication could.

Concluding Thoughts

Hemp seed oil and hemp oil are currently used in a variety of cosmetic lines including skin creams, shampoos, shaving cream, beard oil, lip balms, mascaras, and sun creams. Although there are many claims made about the benefits and effects of hemp oil for skin as detailed in this article, many claims are still unsubstantiated. Hemp seed oil and hemp oil are natural moisturizers and they may potentially help make skin feel smoother and softer while acting as a barrier to work at preventing moisture loss.4

Based on the current studies we have about hemp oil and CBD oil; it may end up being useful in treating different skin conditions in the future. However, current efficacy and safety data for these skin conditions are almost entirely limited to preliminary animal studies in rodents or cell culture data. Also, the current state of hemp oil formulations is not standardized due to the lack of FDA regulation of these products. So, the quality of these products can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and even batch to batch.

Some studies show positive effects of hemp oil for skin, but more studies should be done before considering it as a possible tool in treatment profiles. Especially when compared to the tried and true methods we know and love.

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