Hemp oil and CBD - do they really have miraculous effects?

One of the most popular topics and fashion trends, especially in the cosmetics market, in 2019 was hemp oil and cannabidiol, abbreviated as CBD. People, believing in the new fairy tale about hemp and its benefits, rushed to produce and buy cosmetic products with hemp oil or the active substances it contains. The promised effects were equated with treatment, medicine and almost a miracle. Use products with hemp oil and CBD and you will see unprecedented results! Without any serious research and evidence, the miraculous power of hemp for the skin was credited. Sales of cosmetics with hemp oils and the active substances they contain soared.

Cannabidiols - have their therapeutic effects been proven?

As always, I am quite skeptical about all the news, especially those lacking objective evidence. The situation with hemp and CBD in the cosmetics market is still very vague. Neither the EU nor the US authorities responsible for the cosmetics market have yet given a clear opinion on these substances, only certain restrictions and prohibitions on use have been established. Also, there are no scientific studies yet proving their positive effects on the skin and confirming that there are no negative side effects. Although some manufacturers are already comparing hemp and CBD products to drugs and, in violation of the law, promising therapeutic or other unproven effects.

Hemp oil - what is this substance?

So what is cannabis and why has it received so much attention? The cannabis plant itself contains more than a hundred active chemical compounds, the most famous of which are CBD and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol, a psychotropic substance). The cannabis species marijuana contains THC, which is why it is prohibited. Another type of cannabis, called hemp in English, can contain only up to 0.3% THC, and it is allowed to be grown. All cannabis is rich in the compound CBD, which has been the subject of the biggest fuss recently. For some time now, cannabinoids (CBD) have been allowed to be used to treat certain diseases, but there are only a few legal medicines containing this substance. It is the therapeutic effects of CBD that have "hooked" cannabis growers and cosmetics manufacturers, and so the era of "therapeutic cosmetics with cannabis" has recently begun.

CBD can be toxic and harmful to the skin and body

The saying “The dogs bark, the caravan moves on” would be very appropriate for this situation. Consumers are already craving cosmetic products enriched with hemp oils, believing in the promised power, while regulatory authorities are trying to control the situation that is getting out of hand. The facts are that with certain restrictions, extracted from certain parts of the plant and depending on the extraction, hemp oil is allowed in the EU, which means that cannabidiol (CBD) is also allowed. But the biggest problem is that the effects of this substance on the skin and the human body have not been studied enough to consider it safe and beneficial, and there are already quite a few doubts about its side effects – it is not recommended to use products with this substance for pregnant and lactating mothers, as well as children. It is also unclear what concentration of this substance is safe and does not have side effects. It is already known that cannabidiol can affect the liver, induce drowsiness, and negative interactions with other drugs have been observed.

Let's not be gullible.

I may have scared you a little too much with these facts, but it is really important, especially when cosmetic manufacturers offer new products with CBD. The only safe substance that can currently be included in a cosmetic product is hemp seed oil, because it does not contain CBD. It is a pity, but it does not have a miraculous effect. This oil is really rich in fatty acids and vitamins that are beneficial for the skin, and it has a soothing and moisturizing effect, but quite a few oils used in cosmetic production have these properties, and many of them work better than hemp seed oil. My advice is the same as every time – be careful with new products, do not rush to try them, do more research. There are no miracles, but there are definitely good and safe cosmetic products.