Hemp seed oil is one of the ingredients we keep coming back to. You'll now find it in our Calming, Uplifting and Balancing Face & Body Oils, doing the same job it always has: softening skin, calming irritation, and working across oily, dry and combination skin without tipping the balance either way. Here are five reasons we love it, from what it does for skin to where it comes from.
In this article
- 1. It works for almost every skin type
- 2. It's genuinely sustainable to grow
- 3. Nothing about the plant goes to waste
- 4. It's one of the most closely regulated oils we use
- 5. It has a history that goes back thousands of years
- Hemp seed oil by skin type
- FAQ
1. It Works for Almost Every Skin Type
Hemp seed oil is naturally high in omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids, which support the skin barrier, along with vitamin E, vitamin D and B vitamins, plus trace minerals like magnesium, potassium and zinc. Together these give it a genuinely soothing, anti-inflammatory character, which is part of why people with redness-prone, dry or eczema-prone skin often find it comfortable to use alongside their usual routine.
What makes it stand out is how well it works across skin types rather than just one:
- Oily skin: its high linoleic acid content means it tends to absorb quickly and may help balance excess sebum over time rather than adding to it.
- Dry skin: like most plant oils, it's an emollient, so it helps soften rough or flaky patches.
- Combination skin: the two effects together mean it tends to bring balance rather than overloading either the oily or dry areas.
Hemp seed oil blended with ceramide NP, jojoba, rosehip and avocado oil, for face and body in one bottle.
2. It's Genuinely Sustainable to Grow
Hemp is a resilient crop. Its deep root system means it needs comparatively little water, and industrial hemp typically grows well without much need for pesticides or herbicides. Organic cultivation on top of that supports biodiversity and helps preserve the surrounding soil.
Those same deep roots help loosen soil for whatever's planted next, which protects against erosion. Hemp is also widely described as an effective plant at capturing carbon dioxide as it grows, some industry estimates suggest more than a tonne of carbon captured for every tonne of hemp produced. We can't verify an exact figure for every farm, but the broader picture, a low-water, low-input crop that improves the soil it grows in, is well documented.
3. Nothing About the Plant Goes to Waste
Hemp is genuinely versatile. Beyond the seeds we use for oil, the plant is grown across a wide range of industries, from textiles to construction, and very little of it ends up as waste. The seeds go toward oil for food and cosmetics as well as seed cake for food and animal feed, while the leaves and stems get used in everything from insulation to textiles. It's one of the reasons we like working with it, using a plant this efficiently just makes sense.
4. It's One of the Most Closely Regulated Oils We Use
Because industrial hemp is closely related to the cannabis plant, its cultivation is tightly regulated wherever it's grown. Farmers can only grow from an approved list of varieties reviewed every year, they can't save and reuse their own seeds, and hemp fields are registered and regularly inspected to confirm everything meets the required standards before any oil can be sold.
That level of oversight isn't a downside in our view, it means growing practices are watched from the very start. Compare that to an oil like palm, where a lack of early regulation allowed practices to spiral in a way that's proven very difficult to undo, and the extra paperwork feels like a reasonable trade-off.
The same hemp seed oil base, with an energising lemongrass, rosemary and sandalwood scent.
5. It Has a History That Goes Back Thousands of Years
Hemp's use isn't new. Its cultivation dates back thousands of years, and in Hindu religious texts from as early as 2000 BCE it's referred to as "sacred grass", one of five sacred plants of India. That kind of longevity says something, an ingredient doesn't stay in use across cultures and centuries by accident.
What matters to us now is that it continues to be grown thoughtfully. Hemp had every chance to become another cautionary tale like palm oil, a genuinely useful crop grown without enough oversight until the damage became difficult to reverse. The regulation around hemp today gives it a better starting point, and we think that's worth choosing.
Hemp Seed Oil by Skin Type
| Skin type | Why hemp seed oil suits it |
|---|---|
| Oily | High linoleic acid content, absorbs quickly and may help balance sebum over time |
| Dry | Emollient, softens rough or flaky patches |
| Combination | Balances both oily and dry areas rather than favouring one |
| Redness-prone or sensitive | Anti-inflammatory profile tends to feel comfortable, though we always recommend a patch test first |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does hemp seed oil do for skin?
It's rich in omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids plus vitamin E, which support the skin barrier and give it a soothing, anti-inflammatory character. It's also an emollient, so it helps soften and smooth skin.
Is hemp seed oil the same as CBD oil?
No. Hemp seed oil is cold-pressed from the seeds and contains negligible amounts of CBD or THC. CBD oil is extracted from the flowers, leaves and stalks of the plant specifically for its cannabinoid content.
Can hemp seed oil be used on oily skin?
Yes. Its high linoleic acid content means it tends to absorb quickly and may help balance excess oil production over time rather than adding to it.
Which of your products contain hemp seed oil?
You'll find it in our Calming, Uplifting and Balancing Face & Body Oils, alongside jojoba, rosehip and avocado oil and ceramide NP.
Is hemp seed oil sustainable?
Generally, yes. It needs comparatively little water, doesn't usually require heavy pesticide or herbicide use, and very little of the plant goes to waste since the seeds, leaves and stems are all used across different industries.
Try Hemp Seed Oil for Yourself
Our Face & Body Oils blend hemp seed oil with jojoba, rosehip, avocado oil and ceramide NP, for face and body in one bottle.
Shop Face & Body Oils →Vegan, cruelty-free and handmade in England.
Have you used hemp seed oil in your skincare before, or is this the first time you're hearing about it? We would love to know in the comments.
