Hemp seed oil has become one of my favorite oils to use in skincare because it softens the skin without feeling heavy.
It spreads easily and blends well with other ingredients, which makes it useful in products for acne-prone skin that can still feel dry or uncomfortable.
Its fatty acid profile is one reason I use it, but the way it affects the texture of a finished product matters just as much.
What Is Hemp Seed Oil?
Hemp seed oil is pressed from the seeds of the hemp plant, Cannabis sativa.
It is not the same as CBD oil.
CBD comes mainly from the flowers and leaves of the plant. Hemp seed oil comes from the seeds and contains little to no CBD or THC. It does not produce an intoxicating effect.
On a skincare ingredient list, it usually appears as:
Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil
Unrefined hemp seed oil has a green color and a mild grassy or nutty scent. Refined hemp seed oil is lighter in color and has less natural fragrance.
Both can be used in skincare, but their color and scent will be different depending on how they were processed.
What Makes Hemp Seed Oil Different From Other Plant Oils?
Plant oils contain different amounts of fatty acids. Those differences affect how an oil feels on the skin and how quickly it loses freshness.
Hemp seed oil contains a high amount of linoleic acid, along with alpha-linolenic acid and smaller amounts of oleic and saturated fatty acids.
Compared with richer oils such as olive or avocado oil, hemp seed oil feels less dense. That lighter feel makes it useful when I want softness without making the product feel thick.
Why Linoleic Acid Matters
Linoleic acid is found in the natural fats on the skin’s surface and in sebum.
It helps the outer layer of the skin hold on to water and remain flexible. Its presence is also one reason hemp seed oil is often used in products made for oily and acne-prone skin.
Hemp seed oil will not change the oil your skin produces or clear a clogged pore.
You can learn more in Linoleic Acid and Acne-Prone Skin: What You Should Know.
Why I Blend Hemp Seed Oil With Other Ingredients
I do not use hemp seed oil by itself and expect it to do everything.
Jojoba adds stability and glide. Squalane helps the blend spread smoothly. Grapeseed oil adds more linoleic acid. A small amount of butter or a richer oil can add body when needed.
I choose the other oils based on the texture I want and how well the blend needs to hold up.
How Hemp Seed Oil Is Used in Skincare
Hemp seed oil can be used in cleansers, creams, lotions, body products, and facial oil blends. What it adds depends on the type of product.
In a Cleanser
Hemp seed oil helps loosen makeup, sunscreen, excess sebum, and other oil-based buildup.
In a properly made rinse-off cleanser, the cleansing ingredients allow the oil and loosened buildup to mix with water and wash away.
In a Cream or Lotion
Hemp seed oil adds softness and helps a cream or lotion spread more easily.
In a Facial Oil Blend
Hemp seed oil can make an oil blend feel less dense and easier to spread.
Freshness Matters
Hemp seed oil contains delicate fatty acids that are sensitive to heat, light, and air.
This means it can lose freshness more quickly than oils such as jojoba.
Fresh hemp seed oil has a mild grassy, earthy, or nutty scent. As it oxidizes, the smell may become sharp, stale, bitter, or similar to crayons or paint.
Keep pure hemp seed oil tightly closed and away from heat and direct sunlight. Refrigeration may also help it last longer after opening.
Finished skincare products may include vitamin E or rosemary extract to help slow oxidation, but antioxidants cannot keep an oil fresh forever.
Stop using hemp seed oil if its scent changes noticeably.
Refined or Unrefined Hemp Seed Oil
Unrefined hemp seed oil keeps more of its natural green color and scent.
Refined hemp seed oil has been processed to remove much of that color and fragrance. This can make it easier to use in products where a strong scent or green tint would be distracting.
Neither one is automatically better.
The better choice depends on the product, the amount being used, and whether the natural color or scent fits the formula.
Why I Use Hemp Seed Oil in My Cream Cleanser
In my Cream Cleanser, I combine hemp seed oil with jojoba and squalane.
I chose it for the smooth glide it gives the cleanser during massage.
