When it comes to the world of natural oils there are two big ones that have been taking center stage – hemp oil and CBD oil. While many think that just like hemp and marijuana are interchangable, hemp oil and CBD oil are the same products, when they are in fact two different products with very different benefits.
Cannabidiol, or better known to the general public as CBD, is one of the main compounds of the cannabis plant. It’s best known for its anti inflammatory properties as well as its ability to help relieve symptoms of anxiety, and it’s what you are seeing in everything from skin-care products to high-vibe tinctures. For centuries it has been successfully proven to provide pain relief to achey muscles, arthritis, joint pain, neuropathic conditions, headaches and also aids skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, and can provide relief from bug bites and sunburns when used topically. The oil is extracted from the leaves, flowers and stalks of the cannabis plant and is then added into a variety of products, sometimes labelled CBD hemp which is where the confusion comes from.
On the other hand, hemp seed oil is more relative to other oils such as sunflower oil and jojoba oil due to the fact that it is a cold-pressed extract from the seeds. It’s a perfectly good seed oil that is high in antioxidants, omega-3 and -6 fatty acids but does not contain any CBD. It’s been available in health food stores for decades and is generally viewed as a superfood and is great for adding nutritional value to your diet. As for skin care, it works as a powerful moisturizer and skin softener that won’t clog your pores and doesn’t contribute to oily skin.
While both oils are considered wellness ingredients, you won’t be in any danger if you interchange the two. However, if you are looking for the medical benefits that you get from CBD, using hemp oil will not deliver the same results. While yes, they do come from the same plant (in a sense), they are two totally different compounds with different makeups, and different benefits. Be sure that when you are buying a CBD or Hemp oil product that you are double checking the label and ingredients, and of course if you are ever unsure about whether or not you are about to pick up hemp oil or CBD oil, be sure to ask for help! Even if that means reaching out to us with any questions you might have.