Hemp Seed Oil for Skin Provides the Perfect Ratio of Essential Fatty Acids

If you’re looking for a good source of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E—which we love in skin care—you can’t do much better than hemp seed oil for skin. Because of its unique composition, it provides deep moisture without clogging pores, and also helps skin hold onto the moisture it has.

Hemp seed oil provides deep moisture to skin without clogging pores.

A Little Bit About the Ingredient Itself

Hemp seed oil comes from the seeds of the Cannabis sativa plant and has been a traditional food in China for centuries, with records dating as far back as 1500 B.C. The seeds are found at the top of the plant within a protective shell, so they contain, at most, only the barest of traces of “tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)”—the psychoactive element present in the rest of the plant. And these traces come only from plant matter that may cling to the seed through the manufacturing process. Most traces of THC, however, are cleaned away.

The plant itself comes in male and female varieties, with the females producing the seeds while the males shed pollen and die prior to seed ripening on the female plants. Flowers last between 9-15 weeks, and usually bloom when darkness equals at least 12 hours a day.

The oil itself has a 3:1 ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 essential fatty acids, which matches the ratio recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for optimal health.

Internal Health Benefits of Hemp Seeds

Because of their healthy essential fatty acids, hemp seeds are great options for vegetarians who would rather not consume fish oil. They have the same benefits, including the ability to help prevent heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and arthritis. The seeds also contain a number of nutrients, including antioxidants, carotene, protein, calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc, and phosphorus. They’re a good source of essential amino acids, like flax seeds are, yet cause less bloating and gas.

Traditional uses of hemp seeds include using them to make hemp butter, pressing them to provide table oil, or adding them to soups and porridges. Today, health experts recommend people use hemp seeds in much the same way they would use flax seeds. They have a mild and slightly nutty flavor, but with a soft texture, like sesame seeds.

Benefits to the Skin

Hemp seed oil has a number of benefits to the skin besides providing the perfect balance of essential fatty acids. These include:

• Antioxidant: The oil provides a good amount of vitamin E, which not only serves as a natural preservative, but provides natural antioxidant action to protect the skin from environmental stressors.
• Super moisturizing: The essential fatty acids deeply moisturize without feeling greasy or heavy, and over time, help skin to retain its own moisture more effectively. The oil works equally well for those with oily and excessively dry skin.
• Gentle: Hemp is widely tolerated by all skin types, and rarely causes any allergic reactions or other skin reactions.
• Conditioning: The natural conditioning properties of hemp seed oil make it great for hair as well as skin, which is why you’ll often find it in natural shampoo and conditioner formulas.

Try It!

We love the combination of properties inherent in hemp seed oil, and see it as the perfect addition to our anti-aging facial oil. Let us know what you think!

• Anti-Aging Facial Oil

Have you added hemp seeds to your daily diet? Please share your tips.