Imagine the smile on your face when when you are acne free and getting compliments about your skin. Hemp seed oil for acne treatments can have you smiling all day long.
Acne is a skin condition that affects people of all ages, particularly during adolescence and early adulthood.
It is usually caused by a buildup of dirt, oil, and other impurities in the skin.
The affected pores eventually become inflamed and swell into pimples, which sometimes produce pus.
Acne affects people on different levels, including physical wellness and particularly self-image and self-esteem. You will find numerous solutions on the market for clearing acne blemishes and ensuring that they never return.
If you are an acne sufferer, you have probably tried all kinds of solutions with little to no success. Fortunately, there’s an emerging solution that promises to change all that. Hemp seed oil has been around for a long time but has only recently come to light as an effective treatment for acne.
The use of hemp seed oil might be controversial, but this is mostly due to misinformation. If you frequently suffer from acne breakouts, you can benefit from the use of hemp seed oil. Learning more about this oil and how it affects the skin will help clear up any skepticism or confusion and lead you on the path to healthier, clearer skin, which is exactly what this article aims to do.
What is Hemp Seed Oil?
Hemp is a term used to refer to the soft, fleshy stems of the cannabis plant. On the other hand, hemp seed oil is pressed from the seeds of the plant. Hemp seed oil is typically cold pressed and has various uses from cooking to medicinal remedies.
Hemp seed oil has numerous nutritional benefits. It is rich in healthy fatty acids such as omega 3 and omega 6. It also contains carotene and Vitamin E, which are both powerful antioxidants. While it is great for health when ingested, it also offers numerous medicinal benefits when applied topically to your skin.
People often mistakenly associate hemp with the psychoactive effects of recreational or even medicinal marijuana. However, it has a low tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content. THC is the substance in marijuana that’s responsible for these effects.
Hemp seed oil does not give users any feelings of being “high”, but rather contains high levels of cannabidiol or CBD, which is a non-psychoactive substance.
How Does Hemp Seed Oil Affect the Skin?
One of the regular functions in the body is the upkeep of the endocannabinoid system, which produces basal cells that make up the majority of the epidermis. Ensuring that the endocannabinoid system is balanced allows the skin to produce and moderate heathy oils as well as regenerate new cells to protect against skin rashes, inflammation, blemishes, or other skin disruptions.
The skin can create its own cannabinoids, but if you have an imbalance in the endocannabinoid system, you can use plant-derived cannabinoids as a replacement. The cannabinoids present in hemp oil bind to the skin’s cannabinoid receptors to replace the missing cannabinoids. Hemp seed oil functions similarly to the natural lipids of the skin and helps to moisturize and provide a protective layer to the area.
Hemp seed oil is naturally moisturizing, but since its moisturizing properties are closely linked to the normal fatty acids of the skin, even people with oily skin can use it. Also, hemp oil also contains antioxidants that can be absorbed by the skin, and help fight impurities and free radicals that may cause damage to the skin on a cellular level.
Is Hemp Seed Oil an Effective Acne Treatment?
Hemp seed oil has been used for many years as an effective acne treatment. However, it is only recently that it has become an acne treatment option due to the increase in its availability as well as ease of access.
Dermatologists and other healthcare professionals often recommend the use of hemp seed oil for treating certain types of acne. It is always advisable to speak with your doctor before you start using hemp seed oil for your acne since he/she can help you determine if it is the right solution for you.
Acne is the result of an oversupply of sebum, which is a natural oil the skin creates naturally. If too much sebum is produced, it starts clogging the pores of the skin, thus creating tiny pimples over the infected area.
The pores that were originally clogged due to the excess sebum now become filled with dirt along with other impurities or sweat, which is unable to escape due to the oil. The combination of these toxic materials causes an infection, which is why acne blemishes are swollen, red, and raised from the skin.
Hemp seed oil can be used for regulating the amount of sebum the skin produces. If other sources of cannabinoids besides the natural ones are introduced, the skin starts producing less of its own, which helps you see a reduction in the acne symptoms.
Other characteristics of hemp seed oil also work well to combat acne troubles. For example, hemp seed oil has anti-inflammatory properties that work to reduce tenderness as well as the appearance of inflamed blemishes. It also has antibacterial properties that help to fight any bad bacteria in the cells of the skin that may lead to breakouts in the future.
How to Use Hemp Seed Oil for Acne
The best way to use hemp seed oil for acne is through moisturizers. The majority of stores that sell essential oils also sell hemp seed oil moisturizers. If a moisturizer is not available, a good alternative would be to buy the oil from sellers of medical marijuana and use it for treating your acne.
Hemp seed oil is used to treat acne using two main methods:
Oil Cleansing Method (OCM)
The oil cleansing method can be done with two slightly different variations.
The first and most common one is to take between 1 teaspoon and 1 tablespoon of hemp seed oil and apply it to the face as you would soap. You don’t need to massage it in, although some people love the feel of the oil on their skin. Rubbing the oil over your face ensures that it gets into all groves and crooks.
Once you have applied the oil, take a clean rag or hand towel and run it under very warm water. Wring out any excess drips and allow the warm towel/rag to rest on your face for a few minutes. Remove the rag/towel and then use a clean towel to gently wipe off the oil residue.
If you find this method being too hard on the skin, you can try rinsing off the oil using warm water rather than a warm towel. However, you still need to use a towel to dab off the excess oil and water from your face.
If you wish to get a positive impact on your acne problems, it is important to repeat either process 2 to 3 times every week. Using hemp seed oil for the oil cleansing method can help prepare your skin for exfoliation. It helps clean out the pores and softens skin so that exfoliation is not too stressful for the face. If you would like to exfoliate, only do it after cleansing.
Moisturizer Method
Hemp seed oil is great when used as a moisturizer for people with low to normal levels of skin oil. People with high levels of skin oil might not benefit as much from using it, but it can still help regulate the oil levels on the face. It is advisable to moisturize after washing or cleansing your face.
If you use the oil cleanse method described above, you can still use the hemp seed oil as a moisturizer due to its acne-fighting properties. However, keep in mind that some people have reported that it is too much oil for their skin and is actually not effective in these quantities. You can even apply the oil after simply washing off your face.
To use hemp seed oil as a moisturizer, you should apply a small amount on your hand and rub it on your face. Allow it to soak for 15 to 20 minutes and once it is well soaked, use a clean towel to wipe off the excess oils. You might feel a small layer lingering on your face, but this is perfectly fine since it will help protect the skin.
Using hemp seed oil for acne as a moisturizer helps in recovering the moisture your skin loses when you use stronger products for treating acne such as hydrogen peroxide and benzoyl peroxide. It is important to keep in mind that the effectiveness of this method will depend on how your skin will react to it. Other factors include the amount of cleansing and moisturizing that your skin needs.
Why Use Hemp Seed Oil for Acne?
Hemp seed oil is an effective remedy for acne for the following reasons:
- It is a Rich Source of Linoleic Acid
People with acne prone skin usually have low linoleic acid levels in their bodies. Unfortunately, these low linoleic acid levels lead to the production of too much sebum, which leads to oily skin and breakouts. People with acne prone skin also have thick, sticky sebum that blocks pores easily.
The linoleic acid in hemp seed oil helps boost the production of high-quality sebum that’s of medium consistency and non-sticky, which means that it doesn’t clog your pores. Hemp seed oil actually has a linoleic acid content of 54.3 percent, which is impressive.
- It Helps Balance Your Hormones
Hemp seed oil, Borage seed oil, and Evening Primrose Oil are some of the best oils for balancing hormones. The oils contain Gamma Linoleic Acid (GLA), which is the precursor for the production of Prostaglandin PGE1, which is calming, protective, and supports menopausal health and regulates hormonal balance.
Hemp seed oil contains omega fatty acids in just the perfect ratios, which makes it effective in regulating hormones thus helping in the management of hormonal acne.
- It is Non-Comedogenic (Doesn’t cause blackheads by plugging up skin pores)
The fact that hemp seed oil is non-comedogenic is one of the most exciting things about it. A comedogenic rating is a scale of 0 to 5 that shows how much a product/oil can clog up your skin, with 0 being non-pore clogging while 5 is highly pore clogging.
Hemp seed oil has a comedogenic rating of 0, which makes it a safe and effective oil to use on acne prone skin since it will not clog your pores, ever.
- It Has Astringent Properties
Hemp oil is an incredibly “dry” oil. If you apply it on your skin, it has an astringent effect and does not make it feel oily, which means that it leaves your skin feeling tight and firm rather than greasy. This property makes it good to use on acne prone skin.
- It Regulates the Production of Sebum
Hemp seed oil helps the skin regulate the over production of sebum. It prevents the skin from clogging up and causing breakouts by balancing the production of sebum.
Top Hemp Seed Oil Brands For Acne
Sky Organics Hemp Seed Oil (16oz) 100% Pure Cold-Pressed Hemp Oil, Non-GMO
Sky Organics offers unrefined and cold-pressed hemp seed oil. The seeds are pressed using the traditional expeller pressing methods to extract all the oil and subsequently filtered lightly to get rid of loose sediment.
Sky Organics does not use any solvents, chemical deodorizers, bleaching agents, or even scorching heat. Hemp seed oil from this brand is thus rich in vitamin E as well as flavonoid antioxidants that you should expect to find naturally in any great hemp seed oil.
Sky Organics also offers completely organic hemp seed oil. The hemp plant used to make its products are not treated with artificial pesticides, herbicides, or insecticides. Sky Organics products actually bear the USDA organic certification on the bottles.
The only slight downside to Sky Organics is that it uses plastic rather than glass bottles. However, the plastic used is BPA-free and dark amber in color, which helps protect against the sunlight. However, the brand still combines quality, purity, and trustworthiness into one outstanding product.
Nutiva Hemp Seed Oil Organic Cold-Pressed Unrefined, 24 Ounce
Nutiva is yet another brand that offers unrefined, cold-pressed hemp seed oil, which is almost equivalent to the raw skin-clearing nutrition of the fresh seed that has been transferred directly to a bottle on your shelf.
Nutiva sources the hemp seeds used to make its products from Canadian farms. The hemp seed oil from the brand has been verified as GMO-free. The brand uses plastic bottles rather than glass, but it is free from BPA, which is an inflammatory additive.
The only slight downside with Nutiva is the smell according to some user reports. However, other users describe it as having just the right smell. The upside is that if you store the bottle away from direct sunlight, Nutiva can provide years worth of clear skin.
Renewalize Best Daily, Night time, Facial Regimen for Acne Pimple Prone Skin 4oz
Renewalize is a Canadian hemp seed oil brand, which is natural since Canada’s hemp farms are some of the most traditional in the world. Hemp seed oil from the brand is cold pressed, unrefined, and has double organic certification. It bears seals from the CCOF and the USDA.
Renewalize packages its hemp seed oil in glass bottles for extra protection against sunlight, which is a definite advantage when it comes to an oil that’s as unstable as hemp seed oil. It also comes with a 1-year money back guarantee.
On its website, Renewalize advises users to combine hemp seed oil with castor oil and using this mixture for the oil cleansing method. While it wouldn’t be a disastrous move, it is definitely not a smart one, especially considering the lack of castor oil’s proven benefits.
Still, Renewalize is a natural hemp seed oil with all vitamins and antioxidants intact, which makes it a great product/brand.
Sweet Essentials Organic Extra Virgin Unrefined Hemp Seed Oil (Food Grade) – 4oz
Sweet Essentials is a skin-clearing product that contains just the oil of the industrial hemp seed. The oil is unrefined and cold pressed, with no chemical solvents, bleaching, or deodorization involved. It is packaged in a heavy duty, BPA free plastic bottle.
Sweet Essentials uses hemp seeds imported from Canada, which is hardly surprising. About 75 percent of hemp products in the USA actually come from Canada. The industry there has strict quality controls with the crops being effectively organic and GMO organisms are used in farming.
Sweet Essentials hemp seed oil also has a great smell, which means that it meets all the requirements of a great oil.
Tropical Holistic 100% Pure Organic Hemp Seed Oil 4oz
Tropical Holistic comes in a dark glass bottle, which is great for keeping this volatile oil nutritious and intact in the face of sunlight. It is unrefined and cold pressed and contains hemp seed oil as the only ingredient. It has a green color and smells like a freshly mowed lawn.
Tropical Holistic manufactures its product as any good hemp oil actually should. Raw hemp seeds contain about 30 percent fat, as well as fiber and protein. The seeds are mechanically pressed at temperatures that don’t exceed 40C.
A hemp cake is created as a by-product, which is a solid mixture of the seed’s non-fatty parts, which is used for making commercial hemp protein. The extracted oil is subsequently filtered to get rid of the sediment. Simply put, only two basic steps are involved in the creation of the oil.
In contrast, refined oils involve high temperatures that create foul odors that have to be eliminated through deodorization and blackened colors that have to be bleached. Tropical Holistic does not feature any of that.
Unfortunately, it does not have any organic certification even though it is actually organic. It is probably due to the hassle and high cost of submitting to full inspection at each section of the supply chain. Still, it is a very high-quality oil.
Foods Alive Hemp Seed Oil, Artisan Cold-Pressed, Organic, 16oz
Foods Alive packages its product in strange containers that resemble containers used for drinking energy drinks in a gym. However, that should not fool you since it is a high-quality product that beats many of the oils that are sold in glass jars.
Foods Alive is USDA certified organic. It is cold pressed, unrefined, and contains hemp seed oil as the only ingredient. Foods Alive claims that the seeds it uses are grown in mineral rich soil while the oil has been certified as being THC free.
Foods Alive definitely offers excellent value for the money. They produce a great quality hemp seed oil, and they recommend that you store the oil in a refrigerator. Foods Alive might not be a brand typically associated with skincare, but you should definitely consider getting their hemp oil.
Final Thoughts: Use Hemp Seed Oil for Acne
Acne is a condition that affects many people in many different ways. Besides its effect on the health of your skin, it makes people more anxious about how they look. Acne sufferers often become withdrawn from social gatherings due to the embarrassment associated with acne breakouts.
Of all the acne treatments currently available, hemp seed oil stands head and shoulders above the rest since it is natural and leaves the skin free of blemishes. It is most effective when used as a moisturizer.
Besides acne, the linoleic acid and the rest of the nutrients in hemp seed oil make it an effective remedy for numerous skin issues.
People suffering from heart conditions should be careful using it since it has anticoagulant properties that may have negative effects.
The Perfect Light Therapy And Hemp Seed Oil For Acne Treatment.
IMHO here is the perfect way to eliminate acne fast and to keep it from coming back.
- Combine hemp seed oil for acne treatments with red and blue light therapy for acne.
- First, use the blue light therapy to kill the bacteria that causes pimples.
- Second, use red light therapy to remove the inflammation caused by the acne.
- Third, use hemp seed oil to moisturize your skin and for all the other benefits it provides.
