Plant oils are nature’s precious gifts, often referred to as liquid gold, and hempseed oil is definitely one of them. It is one of the most active natural ingredients and its composition is, according to experts, unique, so the beneficial effects of hempseed oil should be harnessed in many different ways.
As with most plant oils, hempseed oil is also extracted from the seeds of the plant, and the process by which it is extracted plays an important role in its characteristics and quality. There are several different processes of extraction that ultimately determine the quality of the oil we then buy in a bottle.
Methods of extracting plant oils
COLD PRESSING is carried out using a press at a temperature of 75 °C and it produces plant oil with a typical taste, smell and colour.
HOT PRESSING is similar to cold pressing, only the seeds are heated up prior to the process. This produces more oil, but the high temperatures also create harmful trans fatty acids which can be removed by a refining process - however, the latter also eliminates the “good” fats, vitamins and nutrients.
Main components of plant oils
Plant oils are largely made up of triglycerides (over 90%). They consist of three fatty acids linked together by glycerol.
They contain tocopherols, flavonoids, carotenoids, phytosterols, phospholipids and squalene. Each of these ingredients gives the oil a specific character, which is the basis for using the oil according to its purpose and needs.
Oils therefore differ from one another and one of the key reasons for it lies in the structure of fatty acids; we divide these into saturated and unsaturated - the properties of the oils are determined by the length of the individual fatty acids and the number and location of the bonds.
Hempseed oil is one of the most active oils
It contains 57% linoleic acid and 16% alpha-linolenic acid and is therefore characterised by a remarkably balanced content of omega 6 (linoleic acid) and omega 3 (alpha-linolenic acid). On top of that, it also contains stearidonic acid (4x unsaturated, omega 3), which accelerates the production of prostaglandins - human tissue hormones.
Hempseed oil is known for its restorative effect; it stimulates microcirculation of the skin, nourishes, hydrates and softens, works in an anti-inflammatory and regenerative way, and is particularly beneficial for the care of inflamed, oily and atopic skin.
All of these characteristics make hempseed oil an indispensable source of essential fatty acids for the body, both in terms of nutrition and care. We will focus on the beneficial effects of hempseed oil in skin care, but don’t forget to add a spoonful of it to your daily diet - your body will be extremely grateful.
Wholesome and complete, courtesy of nature
At this point, even the birds are chirping about the importance of healthy, varied and local diet for the well-being of our skin. It can be the star of the show, so long as everything is balanced behind the scenes, which is why it is worth making sure you get all the nutrients, vitamins and minerals you need. Consuming hempseed oil is also beneficial for atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, imbalances in skin oil secretion, eczema and many more. There are studies that have shown the beneficial association too. Hempseed oil is truly exceptional when it comes to protecting the skin from inflammation and building a strong and healthy skin barrier.
Why does our skin love hempseed oil?
Cold-pressed plant oils are rich in active ingredients our skin needs to maintain the protective role of its hydrolipidic layer, as well as ingredients it needs to maintain balance and ingredients that are intrinsic to the skin. But the advantage of plant oils is that due to their skin-like composition, they blend with it extremely well and are great at supporting its vital functions.
Properties of hempseed oil on the skin:
- Does not clog the pores, because it is a non-comedogenic oil.
- Traps moisture in the skin; the ideal ratio of omega fatty acids supports renewal of the skin barrier and creates a layer that prevents moisture from evaporating too quickly.
- It is an excellent moisture trap.
- Anti-inflammatory; omega fatty acids are known to prevent inflammatory processes in the skin.
- Soothes and calms the skin; rich fatty acids also contribute to a soothing and calming effect with their hydrating and anti-inflammatory activity.
- Balances skin oil production; hemp is the master of balance and all of its extracts produce exceptional results when it comes to disordered skin oil production.
If anyone, we here at Hemptouch know just how remarkable hempseed oil is. It is worthy of admiration and the highest praise, because it literally works like a miracle. Our oil is locally sourced, extracted from seeds that have little short of slipped through our own palms and were tended by the loving and caring hands of our growers and friends, which is by far the greatest treasure. It’s important to realise that nature contains everything we could possibly need and often offers us the solutions to our problems on a silver platter - we just need to surrender to its flow and let ourselves be guided to the right, natural answer, which is, at the end of the day, the goal and passion of our company. We want to bring the remarkable effects of hemp closer to our customers and uncover all the myths surrounding this wonderful natural treasure.
Hempseed oil is the red thread of all Hemptouch products, because we simply cannot imagine a product without this precious ingredient.
Source:
Efficacy of dietary hempseed oil in patients with atopic dermatitis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16019622/
Nina Medved: Rastlinska olja v aromaterapiji