What is the first image that pops into your head when you hear the word ‘hemp’? Now, if by any chance you made a connection with cannabis, commonly known as marijuana or weed, you’re sort of on the right track… sort of. If you are keen on becoming hemp-conscious and exploring its effects, here’s an intro guide to look into our superstar.

HEMP vs CBD

Let’s start off by talking about hemp and how it is different from CBD. Hemp is not marijuana, but they do come from the same plant family called Cannabis sativa. Cannabis contains over 100 known cannabinoids which are chemical agents that cause different effects on the body.The most familiar ones are THC and CBD. If you’re wondering the differences between the two, it’s simple. THC is what gets us ‘high’ while CBD is non-psychoactive. Hence, the main difference between hemp and CBD is that hemp is a type of Cannabis plant and CBD is a type of chemical agent that it contains.

HEMP SEED OIL VS CBD OIL

Then what is CBD oil and how is it different from hemp seed oil? First, it is important to note that hemp seed oil and CBD oil are completely different. Hemp seed oil derives from the seeds of the hemp plant. It contains omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, high concentrations of vitamin A, B, C, D & E, and other nutritional antioxidants. On the other hand, CBD oil is created by CO2 extraction and also has many therapeutic benefits, but may possibly cause side effects such as dry mouth, diarrhea, or fatigue.

What should you expect?

As a natural antioxidant that promises benefits for the skin, mind, and body, hemp’s increasing ubiquity has also increased its uses, varieties, and versatility. In the next 7 chapters of our weekly Hemp Blog, we break down tips, tricks, and ideas on how to seamlessly incorporate hemp into your daily routine. Lookout for our weekly episodes on the 7 essential tips to incorporate hemp into your daily life! I promise, I won’t leave you hempty-handed!

Don’t you just love washing your face after a long, stressful day? Especially when it’s super hot outside and your makeup feels like it’s melting on your face? There is nothing more satisfying than rinsing it all off. But, sorry to interrupt. I gotta ask- what cleanser do you use?

Hemp Cleansers and Advantages

Hemp *infused* cleansers are a bit different from cleansers you would normally use- here’s why: hemp seed is loaded with nutrients such as essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. With its natural anti-inflammatory traits, your skin will experience definite results and feel prouder than ever, especially when it becomes free of acne, eczema, and other types of skin conditions. In addition, the fatty acids will provide you with a healthier, smoother, and younger skin surface. Now, who would even say no to all these advantages?!.

Cleansers I’ve Been Using

The difference between the regular cleansers we’ve all been using and ones that include hemp is that most regular cleansing products have a chemical or a natural compound called a surfactant which absorbs dirt and oil. You would think that’s good for you. Hmm.. not quite. Surfactants could irritate your skin as they dissolve even the necessary fatty acids your skin naturally creates. If you’ve experienced dryness after cleansing, surfactant is the reason why.

Hemp Cleansers and Tips

With hemp cleansers, you will instantly feel clean and moisturized. Anyways, before you all rush to get yourself a hemp oil, I’m going to leave you some tips to enhance your cleansing routine.

You’ll need to apply a few drops of the oil onto your fingertips and begin massaging it onto your face by making small, circular motions - this will also help stimulate your blood circulation and drain out the lymphatic system. This massage relieves swelling and eliminates toxins to encourage glowing skin.

Imagine this : It’s a Friday night and you invite your friends over for a pamper night in. You turn on TLC’s ‘No Scrubs’ and dance along as you have just finished cleansing. What would you do next? If you’re lost, don’t hesitate, just exfoliate!

Exfoliating, although it is not done everyday, is one of the most important steps to achieving flawless skin. Through exfoliation, our dead skin gets scrubbed away, making way for our fresh new cells to receive the spotlight.

However, depending on the type of exfoliator you use, it could also damage the healthy cells that are necessary for retaining good skin. In other words, chemical exfoliants are so powerful that they basically get rid of everything! What’s more, some exfoliants may be using plastic beads, which could damage not only your skin, but also the environment. So the big question is, what kind of exfoliator are you using?

Here’s what I recommend. Especially if you have sensitive skin, try using hemp exfoliators - it will result in an even healthier, radiant skin. Here’s why: In using hemp exfoliators, not only does your skin become free of dead skin cells, but it also absorbs all the natural benefits of hemp. Even better, if you want something that works for both your face and body, no need to worry because there’s the option of hemp exfoliating mitts. 

They reduce redness, control sebum production, are anti-microbial and sustainable. You’ll feel the difference the moment you start scrubbing. 

Step 1 after cleansing: apply hydrating toner. Toners clean off any last traces of impurities and restore your skin’s pH balance, keeping your skin clean and refreshed! At drugstores or CVS, you will find a variety, along with ampoules and serums. But no matter how well-known, there could be minor side effects such as irritation, dryness, and redness. Toners with such side effects have one thing in common: they contain alcohol. Personally, I had an issue with toners drying up my skin even more, not knowing they contained alcohol.

That is why I am here to tell you about hemp toners. Unlike most toners, toners with hemp are alcohol free and natural, making it ideal for all skin types. They will combat skin irritation and other types of inconveniences that result from regular toners. In addition, essential fatty acids and other plant-based hydrators will also take part in increasing your skin’s hydration levels.

If you already have a toner, don’t bother getting a new one. Hemp toners are actually super easy to make. All you need to do is add a couple of drops of hemp oil into your existing toner, serum, or ampoule and mix. Ta-da! So easy. But don’t forget to check that your toner is alcohol-free.

If you want to use up some of the products rolling around at home, I totally recommend making your own hemp toner. You’ll be in control of how much hemp goes into your toner. Anyways, I hope you all give it a try! I’ll be back with more information on maintaining glowy skin next week so keep on the lookout! See ya soon.

Do you moisturize every day? Well, you better! Moisturizing is key to maintaining healthy, youthful skin. If you want your skin to look youthful and glowing for as long as possible, you’re going to want to keep your skin hydrated. And that’s what moisturizers will do.

Many over-the-counter moisturizers are selective, so you will need to check what skin type you have. Some are prone to oily skin, some are specifically for dry skin, acne, and others are for anti-aging. But what if you have a combination of skin types? For example, I have an “all-of-the-above” type of skin. It’s super sensitive, dry, oily, has breakouts, and is starting to wrinkle up. For my case, type specific moisturizers don’t work 100%. In fact, because they are rather selective, the active ingredients are usually more concentrated, which leads to skin irritation. Then you would ask, “Is there a product that can multitask?”

Yes! Hemp moisturizers will be the solution to your problems. Hemp moisturizers are suitable for all skin types. They are rich in antioxidants, omegas & fatty acids, and minerals which work to add and retain moisture and keep your skin young. And we’re not just talking about moisturizers for the face. In fact, hemp cream and lotion for your body works just as good. Science has shown that hemp lotions help alleviate acute pain and sore muscles. On top of that, it is anti-inflammatory and non-comedogenic - which means that it won’t clog your pores. Isn’t that great?

Instead of matching your skin type to an “appropriate”moisturizer, invest in a product that cures all skin types. One small switch, you will instantly notice the difference. Give it a shot.

Don’t you just love being pampered? Every touch, care, or glance you give yourself provides benefits. It’s a perfect time to spoil yourself, and it is definitely necessary. For me, I treat myself with a face mask, body scrub, and hair treatment at the end of every week. It is my way of pampering. Self-care is key to your happiness, so take no shame in giving yourself some leisure time!

I’ll share with you some of my self-care practices. First and foremost, I jump in a hot, steamy shower and let my pores breathe for a bit. Then, I follow the usual shampoo-body wash routine. Next, I smear a decent amount of hemp hair treatment onto the ends of my hair, letting it drink up all of the vitamins, proteins, and moisture. Following that, I exfoliate my body with a hemp body scrub, massaging through all of my sore muscles. Doing all of this adds about 5 extra minutes of your shower time, but it is so worth it. The moment you step out of the shower, your hair and your body will feel as smooth as silk. It will almost feel as if you wiped out all of your stresses along with your flaky dead skin cells.

Anyways, after the shower, I paint my face with a homemade hemp face mask. I’ll give you the details on how to make them later. Hemp masks are a game-changer. They will help with acne scars, inflammation or irritation, anti-aging properties, oil balance, and skin restoration. Yes, they do all of that. Isn’t that amazing? What’s crazier is that after you finish all of the hemp-infused pampering steps, you will find yourself more relaxed with reduced anxiety. That being said, you will also get better sleep. Sounds like heaven, doesn’t it?

Now, let me share some DIY hemp face masks recipes :

DIY face masks are a great way to bond with your friends. I definitely recommend including this activity when you invite your friends over. Not only will you have a great time, but you will also experience some great changes to your skin.

Wow, I’m so glad you all followed through to my last episode on hemp. Today’s blog has nothing to do with your skincare routine, but I wanted to leave you all with some extra information on hemp before I go. Hemp is not exclusive to skincare as it is also a superfood. That means, hemp can offer amazing nutritional benefits. Hemp is basically a protein. It is the home of eight essential amino acids that our body is required to have. Additionally, hemp contains gamma-linolenic acid as well as omega-6 and omega-3, which not only help with keratin production but also provide a great source of healthy fat. I’ll briefly list what the remainder of hemp contains - carbohydrates, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, vitamin C, B, A, D and vitamin E. Woah - how could you not call this super? With all of these combined, consumption of hemp will reduce cholesterol levels, increase metabolism, decrease bloating or swelling, and will improve the heart.

I’ll provide you with some details on how to add hemp into your diet. Hemp comes in so many different styles: powder, oil, seeds - you name it. It could be consumed both raw and cooked - it’s up to you! It doesn’t really taste like anything so even if you add it onto your food, you won’t taste anything funky. I usually sprinkle my salad with hemp seeds along with other superfoods. If you don’t really like nuts, I wouldn’t recommend using hemp seeds. Rather, I suggest you add hemp seed oil into your salad dressing. You can also use the oil for cooking other kinds of foods. Lastly, if you have hemp powder, try adding it into your smoothies!

Aren’t you so glad that there are so many ways to incorporate hemp into your body? I personally love how it doesn’t have a distinct taste - it’s a perfect natural additive that supplies us with greater nutritional value. If you’re feeling down, include hemp into your recipe. It’ll definitely heighten your mood, NOT in an illegal way. If you’re ever in need of a healthy boost, just remember to keep calm and let this blog hemp you out!

If you read any blog on skincare, you’ll find that they all put a strong emphasis on suncare. This is mainly because of UV blockage. If you didn’t know, UV rays are the main causes of aging and other sun damage like rough skin, freckles and liver spots, and wrinkles. No matter how much effort we put into our skin, it is inevitable to avoid UV rays completely. That is why we use sunscreen - to protect our skin as much as we can. But wait, there’s one thing you need to worry about when choosing which product to use.

As much as sun protection protects your skin, they can also cause skin damages. For instance, it’s common for sunscreen to just sit on top of your skin and clog up your pores. Also, many of those products contain toxic ingredients such as oxybenzone - which could interrupt with your hormones. Yikes. That pressures us to make a detrimental sacrifice that no one wants to make. So… I found the perfect solution to the issue. We are going to infuse hemp into our sun-care routine.

What makes hemp sunscreens more preferable to all of the other ones on the market? Well, hemp seed oil in itself forms a natural protection from the sun. It actually has an SPF of 6. A quick fun fact about this : clothing made with hemp fabric will protect you from sun damage! Anyways, going back to our topic - unlike others, hemp sunscreen is very absorbent and nourishing. You won’t have to worry about getting your pores clogged or getting blackheads. Additionally, it helps produce keratin which is beneficial to the outer layer of your skin. On top of that, the antibacterial properties within hemp operate cell reparation. If you haven’t yet noticed, hemp sunscreen does not only work as just sun protection but also it works to benefit the skin nutritiously. Hemp sun care provides a huge reLEAF to your skin, especially after being exposed to the sun. It’s my favorite summer item, and I hope it becomes your favorite, too!