Hemp seed carrier oil is a great ingredient for skincare and haircare. Not only is it rich in fatty acids, but it also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that make it a popular choice for beauty products.
What is Hemp Seed Carrier Oil?
Hemp seed oil (Cannabis Sativa) is derived from the seeds of the hemp plant, which is a member of the botanical family Cannabaceae. The hemp plant has a long history and has been used for many purposes including creating paper, fabric and rope. The carrier seed oil is extracted by cold pressing the seeds which results in an oil that can appear green, due to the presence of chlorophyl. If the oil has been further refined, it will be a yellow gold.
This carrier oil contains a high concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Specifically, it contains linoleic acid, alpha linoleic acid, and gamma linoleic acid. (Lean more about fatty acids in this blog post on carrier oils.) Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have been shown to help reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Gamma linoleic acid is an anti-inflammatory and supports the immune system. Stearidonic acid (SDA) is present in Hemp seed oil at approximately 2%. SDA can be effective for dermatitis. This oil also contains oleic acid, palmitic acid and stearic acid, as well as vitamin E. It’s omega 6 to omega 3 ratio is about 3:1 which is considered exceptionally well balanced.
Great for most skin types
Hemp seed oil is beneficial for most skin types, but it’s alpha linolenic acid content makes it a particularly good choice for dry skin, inflamed skin, eczema and psoriasis. It also helps burns, replenishes moisture and is proactive against skin damage. If you’re looking for a natural way to combat skin damage caused by environmental stressors, hemp seed oil might be an answer for you. It’s high concentration of PUFAs can reduce inflammation and provide a protective barrier to against free radicals. It is a great emollient for the skin due to the palmitic acid, and contains antioxidants which make it a great choice for after sun products.
Another benefit of hemp seed oil is its ability to even out the complexion, and balance natural oil production in the skin. The linoleic acid component can be beneficial for soothing acne prone skin.
What about hair benefits?
Aside from its skin benefits, hemp seed oil can also be a great choice for hair care. It has a high concentration of oleic acid, which helps to maintain hair softness and encourages hair growth. Additionally, the stearic acid component in hemp seed carrier oil provides gentle cleansing properties, making it a great ingredient for hair shampoos and conditioners.
If you have an itchy or inflamed scalp, hemp seed carrier oil can help alleviate these symptoms. It’s also effective in controlling dandruff and preventing hair breakage.
How should you store your oil?
As with any carrier oil, it’s important to store hemp seed carrier oil properly to ensure that it remains fresh. It’s recommended to store your oil in a dark container in the fridge and let it come back to room temperature before using. Due to its short shelf life, make sure to check the best before date with your supplier before you buy to ensure that you can use it before it goes rancid. Hemp seed oil has a slightly stronger scent than other carrier oils. When it goes beyond the best before date, you will probably be able to tell by the smell.
It is recommended that those who are pregnant, nursing, or anyone with a health condition speak to their doctor before using hemp seed oil.
Hemp seed oil is on Canada’s cosmetic ingredient hotlist. Make sure that you are using it as outlined in current legislation. You can access the Health Canada ingredient hotlist here.
A note on CBD and THC
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a component found in hemp oil that is non psycho-active (it won’t mess with your brain). While hemp seed carrier oil is extracted by cold pressing the seeds of the plant, CBD oil is extracted from flowers and leaves, usually by CO2 extraction. The two oils have similar properties, however, CBD oil is much more potent, and as a result, it is much more expensive than hemp seed oil.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is found in trace amounts in hemp oil. It’s use is therefore limited in cosmetics in many countries. Guidelines in Canada, at the time this was posted, are that hemp oil needs to contain a level of THC lower than 10ppm, which will be the responsibility of the manufacturer and distributor to control. To ensure that your oil meets guidelines make sure you buy your product from a reputable supplier that can provide testing reports. Quality assurance counts.
It is important to note that these government guidelines can change at any time. I encourage you to research your own regional guidelines and to revisit any guidelines stated here. If you are using hemp seed oil in Canada be sure to submit your cosmetic notification form to Health Canada. Yes, it’s the law. However, as an added bonus, if guidelines change you will be notified as Health Canada will recognize that you have a product that uses this ingredient. If you make products outside of Canada, check with your local cosmetics regulator for similar programs.
This is one raw material where laws are going to be different in different areas. Make sure you check with your region’s cosmetics governing body to ensure that you are using this ingredient to legal standards.
