You’ve got to remember hemp oil is different from CBD (cannabidiol) oil. There are two sources of hemp oil: the Cannabis sativa plant in which case you’ve got full-spectrum oil and hemp seed oil, which comes from the seeds of the hemp plant or Cannabis sativa plant.

Between the two, there’s very little risk of getting a high from hemp oil as all its forms come from food-grain strains of hemp. Research shows that food grain strains of hemp contain less than 0.3 percent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is the compound that causes the high so often associated with marijuana.

Hemp oil or hempseed oil isn’t the same as CBD oil. The production of CBD oil uses the stalks, leaves and flowers of the hemp plant. These parts contain a higher concentration of CBD, which is a potentially beneficial compound in the plant.

These differences do nothing to detract from the medicinal benefits of the oils extracted from hemp or cannabis, however. Hemp oil and CBD oil are both ingredients used topically in skincare products. They’re the “in” thing in skin care and with good reason.

Hemp oil doesn’t clog skin pores, has powerful anti-inflammatory properties and provide superior moisturization to keep the skin looking and feeling supple. It can be used within a product or even dabbed on the skin as a face oil.

The fatty acids in hemp oil can benefit skin health. The abundance of fatty acids makes hempseed oil an excellent choice for nourishing the skin and protecting it from inflammation, oxidation and other causes of aging. A 2014 study looking into the lipid profile of hempseed oil found it to be rich in healthful oils and fatty acids.

CBD oil has been shown to be a powerful anti-inflammatory agent that helps in healing acne, rashes, eczema and psoriasis. It also packs a ton of antioxidants.

Many people use CBD oil as a form of natural pain relief, especially if the pain is a result of inflammation. A 2018 study on mice notes that CBD and other cannabinoids show promise for the treatment of many types of pain.

Current research also suggests CBD could be a helpful natural treatment for pain, but more human studies could give these results more credibility.

Oddly, consumers are willing to pay more for CBD oil, which probably has a lot to do with more effective marketing on the part of those pushing CBD oil.

So, how will you know if the product you’re buying is hempseed oil or CBD oil? In most labeling, hempseed oil will be listed as cannabis sativa seed oil. On the other hand, CBD will be listed as cannabidiol, full-spectrum hemp, hemp oil, PCR (phytocannabinoid rich) or PCR hemp extracts.

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