Hemp oil is referred to as the most perfectly balanced oil created by nature. This is due to the perfect balance of unsaturated Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids that cannot be found anywhere else. Hemp oil is also rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and other health beneficial substances. However, this only applies if the oil is cold pressed, as only unrefined hemp oil preserves all the nutrients contained in the hemp seed.
How is unrefined hemp oil made?
Unrefined, cold pressed hemp oil is obtained from hemp seeds with mechanical extraction at a low temperature that doesn’t exceed 40 degrees Celsius. Cold pressed hemp oil is not chemically cleaned or bleached and the sediments are removed mechanically using filtration.
The shorter shelf life of cold pressed oil
Due to the lack of chemical treatment and absence of high temperatures, the active substances found in the seeds of the plant are also preserved in cold pressed oils. Because of this, the oil has a shorter shelf life and needs to be stored in cold places, and the supply chain between the manufacturer and the end consumer needs to be shortened as well. Incorrect storage and irregularities in transportation can make the cold pressed oil go bad faster. The first sign alerting you to any irregularities will be an unusual odor. Properly stored, fresh cold pressed hemp oil has a strong green color, as well as a strong but pleasant smell that resembles a mixture of freshly mowed grass and nuts.
Why is unrefined oil better than refined oil?
Refined oil has a cleaner appearance, with a lighter color, and does not contain small particles. Refining is a relatively complex process that includes treatment with chemical compounds and at high temperatures, reaching up to 270 degrees Celsius. The process removes most of the vitamins contained in the oil, as well as other health beneficial substances. Also lost in the process are Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, which are the ingredients that give hemp oil the title of the most balanced oil. Refined hemp oil is primarily used in cosmetics, the production of various ointments and even plastics.
Two main reasons most cosmetics manufacturers decide to use refined oils
- Refined oils last longer allowing for a longer supply chain between production and the end consumer, higher volumes of stock and lower risk for the manufacturer
- Refined hemp oil is significantly cheaper than unrefined oil
At Hemptouch, we swear by unrefined, Cold Pressed Hemp Oil
All our products are based exclusively on cold pressed hemp oil. This is the only way to preserve all the beneficial substances that make hemp oil so popular in skin care. We realize this makes the shelf life of our products much shorter and that it affects the supply chain, which is a challenge in business, however, this helps us ensure our products are always fresh and of the highest quality.
Because we want to have full control over the ingredients used in our products, we make the cold pressed oil from our own hemp, grown on our field in Novo mesto, where we can observe its growth from seed to full-grown plant.