What’s the Difference Between CBD and Hemp Oil?

With the sudden flood of CBD products hitting the beauty and wellness spaces, a lot of questions have surfaced. Most of these questions surround the benefits, the facts and fiction, and the differences surrounding CBD oil and hemp oil. CBD is not the same thing as THC and CBD oil is not hemp oil. It's important to know the differences as these terms sometimes get used interchangeably.

There is a lot of confusion, and fairly so, when it comes to cannabidiol and hemp oil. Yes, there is some crossover, but the two are different and we’re here to explain everything you need to know for the next time you want to shop for either. Let’s get down to it.

What Is Hemp Oil?

Hemp seed oil, aka cannabis Sativa seed oil, has been present in health food stores and vitamin shops for years—decades to be exact. Now, hemp seed oil does not contain any CBD at all. What this means is that there are no cannabinoids present in hemp seed oil. So there is no CBD, THC, none—it is just a cold-pressed oil that comes from seeds. Hemp seed oil is rich in fatty acids, antioxidants and omega-3’s, making it a superfood and which is why it’s been present for so long in the health community. Hemp oil is also no stranger to the beauty world and has been present in products way before CBD came onto the scene.

See: This Is the CBD Shampoo & Conditioner You've Been Waiting For

What Is CBD?

CBD aka cannabidiol is the second-most abundant compound found in the cannabis plant and female hemp plant. CBD will not get you high, but it does have anti-inflammatory benefits and does interact with the human nervous systems to provide an overall sense of relaxation. As we’ve mentioned before, users have claimed to associate many benefits with CBD. These benefits include help with anxiety, stress, lack of sleep, pain, digestion, and even acne. Science has also backed CBD in a variety of clinical and human trials, and the FDA recently approved the first drug, Epidiolex, that has CBD as an ingredient. Hemp-derived CBD products are legal on the federal level but are still illegal under some state laws.

Also: What Is CBG?

Full-Spectrum Hemp vs. CBD: What's the Difference?

Full-spectrum hemp oil is pure hemp oil that still contains all of the cannabinoids and chemical compounds found in the hemp plant. While it contains many cannabinoids, the most abundant one found in full-spectrum hemp is CBD. While you get all of the benefits of CBD, you get so much more with full-spectrum hemp. When it comes to full-spectrum CBD, the combination of the different cannabinoids and compounds produces what is known as the “entourage effect”. What this means is that this very combination boosts each individual compound’s therapeutic abilities at once. One study showed that other benefits of the entourage effect include minimizing unwanted side effects, improving the absorption of active ingredients, defending bacteria, and more medical concerns. We should note, there are also CBD products with CBD isolates. CBD isolates are just pure CBD with zero cannabinoids or compounds. CBD isolates come in the forms of waxes, powders, crystals, dabs, and resin. While you still get the benefits of CBD with CBD isolate, you miss out on the enhanced benefits of the entourage effect that come with Full Spectrum Hemp oil.

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Beauty Benefits of Hemp Oil & CBD

Both CBD and hemp oil have a large presence in the beauty world and can be found in a variety of products today. The two have similar benefits, but with CBD being the newer of the two, we’re sure that we’ll discover new benefits as time passes as well.

Also: CBD Myths Debunked

Beauty Benefits of Hemp

One of the biggest beauty benefits of hemp oil is that it does not clog pores while moisturizing the skin. It’s also very rich in texture which can call for extra moisturization when compared to other ingredients. Hemp oil also has some anti-inflammatory properties. When it comes to the scalp, hemp oil can prevent itchiness and dryness, and it can even improve blood circulation.

Shop: VEGAMOUR Products for Hair Wellness

Beauty Benefits of CBD

CBD, on the other hand, can help protect the skin from free radicals, and therefore has anti-aging benefits and can help prevent dullness. It’s also known for its anti-inflammatory properties, which is not only great for the skin on our faces but great for the scalp and overall hair wellness. If you deal with scalp tenderness or psoriasis, CBD can help alleviate the symptoms.

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