Hemp Seed Oil for Balancing Oily and Dry Skin
The Skincare Hero You Didn't Know You Needed: How Hemp Seed Oil Gets Glowing, Balanced Skin
Oily skin glistening by midday. Flakiness and tightness by dinnertime. Many people deal with the frustrating combo of oily yet dehydrated skin. Constantly slathering on serum after serum and still ending the day as a grease-ball with dry patches.
It’s a common problem but also a confusing one. How can skin be oily and dry at the same time? The issue lies in an impaired moisture barrier. When the barrier is damaged, skin can’t retain hydration properly. This triggers increased oil production in an attempt to compensate. The result? Dehydrated skin that overproduces oil.
Luckily, there’s an ingredient that can help - hemp seed oil. This unique oil contains an abundant amount of linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid that helps repair and strengthen the moisture barrier. But unlike other moisturizing oils, hemp seed oil soaks in quickly and regulates sebum production. It provides much-needed hydration without clogging pores or leaving an oily sheen.
Interested to learn more? Read on to discover the science behind hemp seed oil’s balancing effects on temperamental skin. You’ll find tips for using it in your routine for glowing, balanced skin. And simple DIY recipes you can whip up at home to get the most out of this miracle multifunctional oil. Get ready to finally kiss dehydration and excess oil goodbye!
Composition of Hemp Seed Oil
Out of all the plant oils available, what makes hemp seed oil so uniquely beneficial for skin? The answer lies in its fatty acid profile.
Hemp seed oil contains the “holy grail” ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids that skin needs – roughly 3:1. It delivers a potent dose of linoleic acid (LA), an omega-6 essential fatty acid that helps strengthen the skin’s barrier and lock in moisture. This prevents water loss that dries skin out and disrupts oil production.
At the same time, hemp seed oil provides anti-inflammatory omega-3s like ALA that calm and soothe skin. This ideal balance helps regulate oil flow in the sebaceous glands and reduces inflammation that can trigger breakouts. No more excess shine or acne from dehydration!
Aside from omegas, hemp seed oil is also packed with vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant. Vitamin E protects against damage from UV rays and pollution while supporting collagen production. Minerals like potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium found in the oil also benefit skin health.
Additionally, hemp seed oil contains amino acids and proteins that help maintain the skin’s structural integrity and calm irritation. And it’s non-comedogenic so it won’t clog pores, making it suitable for acne-prone skin.
Unlike many plant oils, hemp seed oil has a thin, non-greasy texture that allows it to penetrate easily without leaving a residue. This gives it an ability to deliver nutrients deeply while controlling shine, unlike heavier oils.
Finally, cold-pressed hemp oil only contains trace amounts of THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis. So it provides powerful skin benefits without any mind-altering effects!
Benefits Of Hemp Seed Oil
Benefits of Hemp Seed Oil for Skin With its stellar nutritional profile, it’s no wonder hemp seed oil offers impressive benefits for all skin types. Here’s a closer look at how this multitasking ingredient improves skin health:
Hydration Without Oiliness
Hemp seed oil provides much-needed moisture to thirsty, dehydrated skin. The abundance of omegas allows it to reinforce the skin’s lipid barrier and prevent water loss. But unlike heavier oils, it absorbs rapidly without congesting pores or leaving a greasy sheen. This makes it ideal for hydrating oily, acne-prone complexions.
Calms Inflammation and Redness
The anti-inflammatory omegas in hemp seed oil help calm irritation, sensitivity, and reddened skin. Its soothing properties reduce flare-ups and discomfort from inflammatory conditions like eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis. The oil can minimize the appearance of broken capillaries as well.
Balances Sebum Production
Hemp seed oil is uniquely able to normalize oil flow by providing missing fatty acids the sebaceous glands need. This helps prevent excess sebum production. Its lightweight texture also cuts through oil and cleanses clogged pores that can lead to breakouts.
Anti-Aging Antioxidants
Vitamin E and other antioxidants in hemp seed oil neutralize free radicals from sun, pollution, and other sources that accelerate aging. This protects against fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, and loss of elasticity. The fatty acids also help stimulate collagen production for firmer, more youthful skin.
Soothes Many Skin Conditions
In addition to reducing red, inflamed skin, hemp seed oil can minimize symptoms associated with numerous skin disorders due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial activity. It also speeds healing of damaged skin.
Fights Acne-Causing Bacteria
The plant compounds in hemp seed oil exhibit antimicrobial effects that destroy acne-causing bacteria like P. acnes. This helps prevent breakouts and reduces existing pimples.
Strengthens Protective Barrier
Hemp seed oil fortifies the skin’s acid mantle and reinforces the protective lipid layer. This provides a durable barrier that locks in moisture and prevents penetration of irritants and allergens.
Boosts Cell Regeneration and Healing
Nutrients like amino acids and vitamins support faster turnover of skin cells and healthy regeneration. This aids in healing scars, wounds, sun damage, and signs of aging.
With regular use, hemp seed oil can radically transform lackluster, problematic skin and restore its natural health and radiance. It’s no wonder this workhorse ingredient is a mainstay in skin and haircare.
It’s For All Skin Types
Hemp seed oil is incredibly versatile - it provides solutions for all skin types. Here’s how to tailor your usage based on your particular skin needs:
Oily, Acne-Prone Skin
For those with excessively oily or acneic skin, hemp seed oil is a godsend. Use it as a targeted spot treatment on current breakouts - its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties help clear pimples fast.
Mix a few drops into your cleanser to dissolve sebum and debris in pores before washing. Follow with the oil lightly massaged all over as a moisturizer. This supplies hydration without risk of pore-clogging.
You can also add a couple drops to your usual serum, gel, or lotion - the hemp oil will cut through oiliness and greasiness of other products. Use it alone or layered under makeup to control shine all day.
Dry, Flaky Skin
Very dry and dehydrated skin needs hemp seed oil’s nourishing fatty acids and vitamins to regain smooth softness. Apply a few drops to damp skin post-cleanse and massage in gently with upward strokes. The water will allow the oil to penetrate deeply.
Follow with another layer lightly pressed and patted over the entire face. Use morning and night for optimal moisture retention. Mix in a few drops to your night cream too.
For severely dry hands and feet, massage pure hemp oil into cuticles and heels at bedtime and cover with cotton gloves/socks to deeply condition overnight.
Sensitive Skin
Thanks to its anti-inflammatory, soothing properties, hemp seed oil is perfect for calming easily irritated reactive skin. Try mixing a couple drops into your moisturizer and applying to sensitive areas like the eye region.
To minimize redness, dilute a few drops in aloe vera gel and apply over inflamed, angry complexions. It also helps take the sting out of razor burn, sunburns, and rashes.
Mature Skin
Hemp oil’s anti-aging antioxidants make it fantastic for lifting, firming, and rejuvenating mature complexions. Combine with your night cream and gently massage into the face, neck and décolletage to feed skin with vitamins and fatty acids as you sleep.
Apply under eyes morning and night to help minimize crow’s feet, puffiness, dark circles, and hydrate delicate skin.
Eczema, Psoriasis, Rosacea
Dermatitis, psoriasis, and rosacea flare-ups subside faster with hemp seed oil. Mix a few drops into your moisturizer and lightly apply over affected areas 1-2 times per day.
The fatty acids reduce inflammation, calm itching and irritation, speed up healing, and help strengthen the skin barrier to avoid future flare-ups.
Some application tips:
- Use morning and night for best results
- Start with smaller amounts (2-4 drops) and increase if needed
- Patch test first if you have very reactive skin
- Store in cool, dark place to prevent oxidation
Add this multitasking oil to your skincare routine to target your specific skin woes and get back to healthy, radiant skin.
DIY tutorial with ingredients for 3 recipes
Balancing Face Oil
Ingredients:
- 1 oz hemp seed oil
- 5 drops tea tree essential oil
- 5 drops lavender essential oil
Combine ingredients in a dark glass bottle. Apply 2-5 drops to cleansed skin morning and night. The tea tree oil helps fight acne and excess oil while the lavender soothes inflammation.
Hydrating Body Butter Bar
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup hemp seed oil
- 1/4 cup shea butter
- 2 tbsp beeswax pellets
- 10 drops vitamin E oil
- Essential oils for fragrance (optional)
Melt shea butter and beeswax in a double boiler. Remove from heat and mix in hemp seed oil and vitamin E. Add essential oils if desired. Pour into molds and refrigerate until solidified. Smooth onto body post-shower for super hydrated skin.
Overnight Lip Treatment
Ingredients:
- 1 tsp hemp seed oil
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 tsp beeswax pellets
- 1 vitamin E capsule
Melt beeswax in double boiler. Remove from heat and stir in hemp oil, honey, and vitamin E from capsule. Mix well and pour into small jar or tin. Smooth a thin layer over lips before bedtime to deeply condition.
The possibilities are endless when formulating with hemp seed oil! Play around with different combos catered to your skin's needs. Just be sure to store any homemade mixes in the fridge to prevent spoilage.
Tips for Buying Quality Hemp Seed Oil
With hemp oil’s rise in popularity, there are a lot of options out there. Here are some tips for picking the best quality:
- Look for cold-pressed, unrefined hemp seed oil. This preserves the beneficial fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Avoid oils that are refined, bleached, or deodorized.
- Choose darker bottles. Light exposure causes rancidity so pick opaque versus clear bottles. Dark glass is ideal for blocking light.
- Check expiration dates and buy small bottles you’ll use up quicker after opening. To prolong freshness, store in the fridge once opened.
- Select organic, non-GMO oils from sustainable sources. Good brands include Nutiva, Piping Rock, and Sky Organics. Reading reviews can help assess quality.
While hemp oil provides great topical skin benefits, you may also take it internally as a supplement. The omega fats support cardiovascular health, brain function, joint mobility, and more. Talk to your doctor before adding to your diet.
Stick to high standards when selecting hemp seed oil so your skin gets the full benefits of all its active components. Paying attention to storage and shelf life helps preserve its potency as well.Final Thoughts!
With its stellar composition of essential fatty acids, antioxidants, and other skin-nourishing goodies, hemp seed oil deserves a permanent spot in your skincare routine. This multi-tasking ingredient offers solutions for just about every skin woe imaginable.
Dry, dehydrated skin drinks up hemp oil’s nourishing omegas and moisture-binding properties. Oily and acne-prone types benefit from its ability to balance sebum production and calm inflammation with anti-bacterial action. Mature skin gets a healthy dose of antioxidants to fight visible aging. Sensitive, irritated skin finds relief in its soothing, calming properties.
Hemp seed oil hydrates deeply without clogging pores, improves skin’s barrier function, evens skin tone and texture, speeds up cell turnover, and protects from oxidative damage. It’s even shown potential to help minimize conditions like acne, rosacea, eczema, and psoriasis.
With such versatility and wide-ranging benefits for all skin types, there’s no reason not to add hemp seed oil to your regular skincare regimen. Just a few drops morning and night can make a dramatic difference in the health and appearance of your skin. Finally give your complexion the customized care it needs, naturally with hemp oil. Your skin will thank you!