hemp seed oil for skin benefits

Brought to you by Quell

This episode is bought to you by Quell — to help support rebuilding healthy skin from the outside-in + inside-out!

Take $10 off your next order! Use promo code QUELL10 at check out — Get started HERE!

– – –

Let’s talk about hemp seed oil for skin benefits! This powerful, nutrient-rich seed oil is loaded with skin-friendly vitamins and fatty acids that are fantastic for your skin — especially when it’s dry and itchy. But there’s also some confusion around hemp seed oil.

Even though it’s from a plant that’s been cultivated for thousands of years for medicinal purposes, people still tend to associate it with CBD or even cannabis, which are definitely not the same thing as hemp seed oil.

We’re going to take a look at what the differences are between hemp seed oil and its other, more psychoactive cousins. And we’re also going to talk about how to use hemp oil for skin rashes. Because it’s phenomenal for cooling down inflammation quickly and supporting your skin in a variety of ways.

Real talk: healing from a skin rash, especially one you’ve had for some time, isn’t an overnight process. You’ve got to figure out where the imbalance is, and then address what’s driving this problem. And unfortunately, it’s usually a combination of a few things that have to be worked out. That’s why everything you’ve tried up until this point hasn’t worked. You need a more comprehensive look at the factors that drive skin rashes.

When I work with my private clients, I first walk them through the process I’m sharing with you for free here: The Skin Rash Root Cause Finder. It’s a workbook that will help you narrow down the underlying causes of your rash so you can get to work stopping it! Download it here and let’s figure this out, together!

Or, listen on your favorite app: iTunes (Apple Podcasts) | Spotify | Stitcher | TuneIn | Subscribe on Android

In This Episode:

  • Hemp oil vs CBD vs cannabis
  • What are endocannabinoids and how do they compare to cannabinoids?
  • Hemp oil for skin eczema, psoriasis, and other rashes
  • The benefits of hemp seed oil for skin
  • What to watch out for in topical CBD oils
  • Quell products that feature hemp seed oil

Quotes

“But, hemp is not psychoactive and doesn’t contain Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which is the psychoactive part of a marijuana plant that makes you “high.”

“It’s got a lovely balance of both Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids, and it also contains non-psychoactive cannabinoids so you get the benefits of likely interaction with the endocannabinoid receptors in the skin, without the psychoactive nonsense.”

Links

DermaQuell Nourish Butter – https://www.quellshop.com/products/nourish-butter

ALSO – we offer all three full 2oz jars in the Ultimate Quell kit – https://www.quellshop.com/products/ultimate-quell-kit

OR try the Quell skincare sample pack that includes all three creams for $12.95 (free shipping) – https://www.quellshop.com/products/dermaquell-skincare-sample-kit (especially great for those who are nervous to purchase a full product without trying it first. Each sample is a sealed 0.26oz sachet packet and includes a $12.95 store credit to use on anything in the shop.)

For helpful info on other star ingredients in the DermaQuell line, check out…

Healthy Skin Show ep. 346: How to Use Zinc for Eczema + Other Itchy, Painful Rashes

Healthy Skin Show ep. 335: Why I Love THESE Black Cumin Seed Oil Skin Benefits

Healthy Skin Show ep. 340: Moringa Oil Benefits for Skin: How to Use This For Eczema + Psoriasis Rashes

 

Oil hemp in jar with flour and grain

351: Hemp Seed Oil For Skin Benefits and How to Use Hemp Oil For Rashes {FULL TRANSCRIPT}

Welcome back to episode 351 of the Healthy Skin Show! In today’s episode, we’re talking all about hemp oil uses for skin, because it’s one of the most underutilized tools for angry skin rash support. In fact, when you’re having a flare, it’s my go-to recommendation. Hemp seed oil is packed with tons of plant compounds that have a reputation for soothing skin. It includes an array of vitamins, as well as skin and heart-healthy omega fatty acids.

Yes, hemp seeds are a nutritional powerhouse, and you can and probably should make a point to add them to your diet.

But I’m more interested in how to use hemp oil for skin rashes, and I’m sure you are too. So let’s dive in!

 

Hemp Oil Vs CBD Vs Cannabis

Even though hemp has been around for thousands of years, and even though lots of research points to the benefits of both it and its relatives: CBD and cannabis, there’s still a bit of confusion about cannabinoids, hemp oil, CBD, and the like.

And that’s because, honestly, we’re just now fully digging into the benefits of this plant. And, let’s face it, marijuana is still considered a Schedule I drug according to the DEA, so there’s a bit of fear and stigma attached to everything when it comes to products that many perceive to be from the same plant. (1)

On the other hand, hemp is not psychoactive and doesn’t contain Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which is the psychoactive part of a marijuana plant that makes you “high.”

hemp oil in a glass jar

The Endocannabinoid System (ECS)

To completely understand the difference between hemp seed oil, CBD oil, and cannabis (i.e. marijuana), we first have to talk quickly about the endocannabinoid system (ECS for short).

The ECS is a complex network that runs throughout your entire body. (2,3)

While it was only identified by scientists less than 50 years ago, it has since been the subject of thousands of clinical research studies.

The ECS helps contribute to the maintenance of homeostasis within the body.

Homeostasis is a medical term that describes the balanced, internal stability of a person. It’s the state that your body is always working to achieve — in spite of any external influences. For example, no matter what the temperature is outside, your body works to maintain a constant temperature of 98.6 degrees.

In short, homeostasis is a critical part of health and ultimately our survival. Every system of the body has a set point, a place where it is in balance. When it starts to become out of balance, the ECS is part of what helps bring it back to where it should be.

But more than just helping maintain homeostasis, the ECS also helps regulate:

  • Sleep
  • Memory
  • Mood
  • Digestion
  • Pain
  • Inflammation
  • Blood pressure
  • Motor function
  • Immunity
  • Bronchodilation (lung function)

There are three parts of the ECS:

 

1. Endocannabinoids

These are compounds that are produced naturally by the cells in your body. They are also referred to as endogenous cannabinoids, meaning they are manufactured within the body.

So far, scientists have named two endocannabinoids:

  • N-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA or Anandamide) — this is a neurotransmitter and it is thought to impact your working memory. It also plays a role in the development of an embryo. (4)
  • 2-Arachidonoyl Glycerol (2-AG) — this molecule is found in breast milk, and plays a role in immune health, mood regulation, sleep, and even bone health. (5,6,7)

 

2. Receptors

There are receptors for the circulating endocannabinoids throughout your body. This means that the endocannabinoids travel within your body and then react, or bind, with these receptors.

There are two types of receptors:

  • CB1 — these receptors are found all through the central nervous system. A large number of them are found in the brain, but they are also found in the spleen, digestive system, urinary tract, and white blood cells.
  • CB2 — these receptors are located in the peripheral nervous system. They are associated primarily with immune response and are credited with helping mitigate inflammation and helping to defeat pathogenic viruses and bacteria.

Studies suggest there are BOTH CB1 and CB2 receptors in the skin. (8) And research indicates the ECS could play a role in maintaining skin homeostasis and barrier function. Which are often implicated in skin disorders like atopic dermatitis, itch, acne, and hyper/hypopigmentation. (9)

 

3. Enzymes

Once the endocannabinoids are produced, they circulate through your body, then they interact with the receptors.

Next, they get broken down by enzymes.

Each type of endocannabinoid has a specific enzyme designed to break it down.

  • AEA is broken down by fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH).
  • 2-AG is broken down by monoacylglycerol acid lipase (MAGL).

The enzymes make sure that the endocannabinoids are utilized and then very quickly destroyed. These enzymes and this process are unique to the endocannabinoid system.

 

hemp oil, seeds and leaves

Endocannabinoids Vs Cannabinoids

If your head is spinning with all this science jargon about CBD and hemp, just hang in there a few more moments as I put all the pieces together for you.

So the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) is where your body makes and uses endocannabinoids.

But there are also plants that produce similar substances, called cannabinoids, or phytocannibinoids. (10,11)

These phytocannabinoids are the ones found in the flowering plants of the Cannabaceae family.

These cannabinoids interact with the endocannabinoid receptors in your body.

Two of the most common cannabinoids that you may be familiar with are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).

 

THC Vs CBD

THC and CBD are two different cannabinoids.

THC is a cannabinoid that contains psychoactive properties. In other words, this is the part of the plant that “gets you high.” Most marijuana products are estimated to contain 5% or more THC.

In contrast, to be legally sold in the United States, CBD has to contain less than .3% THC. In Europe, it has to contain less than .2%. (12) Therefore, it is not psychoactive, because it contains either zero or so little THC that it can’t affect you. This is why CBD and hemp are legal, while marijuana is not on a federal level (or the state level in many places in the US).

But what about hemp?

 

hemp plants growing outside

Hemp Vs Marijuana

Although the difference between hemp and marijuana is huge, it can be hard to understand.

You see, there is a plant called the Cannabis sativa plant.

Some strains of it are grown to have a high THC content. These are the plants that get made into marijuana. Marijuana is also grown from the Cannabis indica plant and the Cannabis ruderalis plant.

However, one particular strain of the C. sativa plant is cultivated to have low THC, and those are called hemp plants. It’s from these plants that the hemp seeds we eat and press to make oil come from. So even though they are technically the same plant species, they are actually very different. Hemp contains all of the beneficial compounds without any of the stuff that makes you loopy or drowsy.

That’s why, according to the FDA, hemp seeds and hemp seed oil are considered generally recognized as safe (GRAS) — a status they bestow upon the foods we eat so we know they’re safe. (13)

 

Hemp Seed Oil Vs Full-Spectrum Hemp Oil

Just to confuse things even further, we have to take a look at hemp seed oil (which is good for skin) and full-spectrum hemp oil.

Hemp seed oil is derived from hemp seeds.

Full-spectrum hemp oil is made from the seeds, leaves, and flowers of the hemp plant, which can contain more CBD than the seeds alone.

That means that hemp seed oil has almost no THC or even CBD in it. It’s just a nutrient-packed oil that’s fantastic for supporting your skin health. You don’t have to worry about absorbing any of those “questionable” cannabinoids when you use it topically.

 

person holding a bottle of hemp oil

Topical Hemp Oil For Skin Eczema, Psoriasis, Rosacea, And Other Rashes

Because hemp seeds are GRAS, they are often sold as food. And they are nutritional powerhouses. They include many skin-supportive nutrients like vitamin A and vitamin E. But what makes topical hemp oil so good for dry skin is its high fat content. (14)

This is why I love topical hemp oil for skin.

It’s got a lovely balance of both Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids, and it also contains non-psychoactive cannabinoids so you get the benefits of likely interaction with the endocannabinoid receptors in the skin, without the psychoactive concerns. In fact, when researchers tested Italian hemp seed oils, they found over 30 different cannabinoids in them. (15)

 

Hemp Oil For Skin Benefits

Research is emerging on exactly how hemp oil benefits the skin, but researchers are suggesting that hemp seed oil benefits the skin and could even be a potential support for itching, acne, eczema, and psoriasis. (16)

One 20-week randomized, single-blind crossover study followed eczema patients who supplemented orally with hemp oil every day. Researchers found that moisture loss through the skin barrier decreased which ultimately improved skin dryness and reduced itchiness. They also noted that topical medication used on the skin also decreased. (23)

Most recently, Dr. Lio shared at the Eczema Expo 2024 hosted by the National Eczema Association how another endocannabanoid substance known as Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) can have anti-itch properties and, according to his slides – also helped “reduce weekly topical steroid use by 62%.” He’s touched on PEA and hemp oil in episode #104 of the Healthy Skin Show from 2020, so this information isn’t necessarily new. But for those in the US, be aware that at the time of publication, PEA as a topical cream is extremely hard to find, though it is more readily available in other countries.

In a test tube study, hemp seed oil appears to eliminate Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) — a bacteria that causes problems for so many skin rash warriors. (17)

One review of the literature hypothesized that hemp oil is good for skin because of the way it interacts with the ECS. (18)

There was also a really cool study done recently following 31 people using a topical product containing hemp seed oil at “33 mg/day for 6 months.” Researchers noted a 100% of study participants regrew at least some hair and could likely be used in conjunction with medications such as finasteride and minoxidil. (19)

Overall, topical hemp seed oil is just a fantastic moisture supporter, again because of the abundance of healthy fats in it. (20)

All of this is just so encouraging, and it really supports what I’ve seen in my clinical practice when using hemp oil.

 

bottle and dropper full of hemp oil

How To Use Hemp Oil For Skin

While there’s a great deal of benefits using hemp oil for skin rashes, you do need to be careful of one specific thing – which is why I’ve gone into such detail about the differences between CBD, hemp, and marijuana in this episode.

As you now know, there are many potential benefits of phytocannabinoids which revolve around cooling inflammation and pain. Skincare products used for these reasons including topical CBD and even hemp formulas often contain ingredients that are NOT skin rash-friendly. While cannabinoids are generally regarded as helpful with a good safety profile (21) — beware of products specifically mixed with ingredients like menthol or camphor as you can’t use them on rashes without making things worse.

It’s worth mentioning that hemp seed oil allergies are rare, but there is some evidence to suggest that if you’re allergic to hazelnuts, you may be allergic to hemp seeds, too. So definitely be careful of that. (22)

Before you buy, be sure to thoroughly investigate the ingredients list of any hemp oil moisturizer or hemp oil products. I go into this in detail in this episode, which will help you shop for CBD and hemp oil products.

Also, just so you’re aware, CBD oil products don’t always contain exactly what they say they do, so be sure to purchase from a company you trust.

 

Best Hemp Oil For Skin

When it comes to finding a topical hemp seed oil, you have to make sure the formulation is free from anything that can exacerbate your rash!

Which is why we crafted our Quell Nourish Butter with only the gentlest, soothing, skin-friendly ingredients.

Nourish Butter is the consistency of an oily salve, perfect for angry dry skin thanks to the many nutrients naturally occurring in hemp seed oil. The hemp seed oil is also what gives this powerful formula it's signature greenish tint.

This is the formula I recommend if you’re experiencing an acute flare or lots of cracks and significantly dry skin. It’s perfect to use on top of other products if you need to really lock in extra moisture (so yes, you would put it on AFTER your moisturizer like Daily Butter).

And it’s a cleaner alternative to petroleum-based or lanolin-based skincare products.

The best way to see if Nourish Butter is right for you is to test it out in our Skincare Sample Kit.

This kit contains all 3 of our Quell formulas, developed specifically to help you support your skin from the outside in.

The best part?

It’s only $12.95, including shipping and a coupon for $12.95 to use on anything in the shop. So the sample kit is basically FREE!

Click here to try out this silky, hemp-based formula and make sure it agrees with you before you buy a whole jar.

 

reference books in library

REFERENCES

hemp seed oil for skin benefits