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What is hemp seed oil?
Hemp seed oil, also known as hemp oil, is the oil extracted from the seeds of the hemp plant. Don’t mistake this for CBD oil, which is extracted from the flowers, leaves, and stalks of the plant! Hemp seed oil is extracted by cold pressing the seeds, and it has a distinct, nutty flavor. It is edible and is also used in a variety of skincare products.
What is it best for?
Hemp oil can work wonders for your skin. To start off, it has anti-aging properties, which can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and delay the onset of aging.
In addition, it is a natural humectant, which means it helps preserve moisture in the skin.
The antioxidant and anti-photoaging properties in this ingredient prevent skin degradation and damage from UV exposure and free radicals.
Hemp oil also regulates oil production, soothes inflammation, reduces redness, and helps with skin conditions like dermatitis.
What is the drawback?
Hemp seed oil is believed to not contain any THC, although this has been widely disputed. Topical application of the oil may result in mild irritation – whether you’re using it diluted or
concentrated, so always test first. In addition, consuming the oil orally can cause digestive upset and it can interact with blood thinners and cause problems.
Melasma is a specific example of hyperpigmentation. Melasma looks like whole patches of brown or darker skin across the parts of the face and neck. Melasma is common among women who are pregnant - it’s even referred to as “the mask of pregnancy.” But melasma can occur in both men and women who are not pregnant, too. Melasma can be caused by UV damage, but there are also genetic, hormonal, and medication-induced causes for melasma, too.
There are a variety of topical ingredients that can be used to lighten the skin from melasma or reduce its appearance. Each ingredient works in different ways, and each has their own benefits and drawbacks. hydroquinone, arbutin, vitamin C (ascorbic acid, and tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, etc) are some of the most commonly used ingredients for melasma treatment.
Hydroquinone is a skin lightening cream that works by suppressing the production of melanin. There are drawbacks to using hydroquinone, however, including cancer risks demonstrated by recent scientific studies, as well as hydroquinone-induced ochronosis.
Arbutin is a synthesized derivative of hydroquinone. It acts as a powerful skin lightening ointment that works a bit differently than hydroquinone. It blocks the production of melanin instead of “bleaching” the skin.
Vitamin C can be used as a brightening agent to lighten the hyperpigmentation of your sunspots or melasma. It works by inhibiting the enzyme tyrosinase, preventing the formation of melatonin.
Ascorbic Acid is actually the formal scientific name for one form of Vitamin C. It can refer to either a naturally occurring Vitamin C found in foods such as citrus, or a synthetic form of ascorbic acid created to be more shelf-stable for skincare products like discoloration repair lotions and creams.
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate is another form of Vitamin C. By synthesizing this compound from Vitamin C, dermatologists are able to give us all the benefits of Vitamin C in a more shelf-stable form that can also be soluble in oil to make more effective, deeper penetrating skin products. (Herndon 2016)
Ingredients in the vitamin A family (ie. Retinol, tretinoin, etc) and acids (glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid) help damaged pigmented skin cells shred faster, so they also help with melasma.
Hemp seed oil may be effective for melasma, but there are many other factors that may affect whether this ingredient would work on your skin or if there are better ingredients that may work for you. Take this skin quiz to find the best ingredients for your skin and build your skincare routine.
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