When shopping for cannabis skincare products, it’s important to know that not all cannabis-derived ingredients are equal. In fact, Cannabis Oil, CBD Oil and Cannabis Seed Oil have very different properties and are not interchangeable names for the same ingredient. These cannabis ingredients can be found in skincare, topical and ingestible products which is why we’ve laid out the basics for you in an easy-to understand way.

Let’s start off with the plant. After all, without the plant, all of these ingredients wouldn’t exist.

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What is Cannabis sativa?

Cannabis sativa is the International Code of Nomenclature name of a plant species that includes both the high THC variety, often referred to as ‘marijuana’ and the low THC variety sometimes called ‘hemp’. Both plants are Cannabis sativa.

‘Cannabis’ refers to the genus Cannabis (Hemp, Family Cannabaceae), while the word ‘sativa’ describes the species of low THC producing plants.

Now, let’s look at three popular Cannabis ingredients and how they differ:

Cannabis Oil

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What is it?

Cannabis oil can refer to any type of oil made from various parts of cannabis plants, such as the flowers, stems, and leaves. Depending on what part of the plant was used, cannabis oils will contain different concentrations of the cannabinoids THC, CBD and/or other cannabinoids.

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What is the skincare benefit?

Because the term Cannabis oil covers a broad range of ingredients, it is hard to say yes or no. See below for the benefits of CBD and cannabis seed oil to the skin.

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Where do I buy it?

You will most likely find these oils, extracts, or tinctures at legal medical and/or recreational cannabis dispensaries if they contain THC.

CBD Oil

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What is it?

CBD oil is made from cannabis plants with very low levels (less than 0.3%) of THC. CBD is another common cannabinoid that has potential health benefits.

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What is the skincare benefit?

The cannabinoid CBD has only begun to be researched by the scientific community, therefore there is little scientific evidence of proven benefits to the epidermis (aka skin) on it’s own. However, it has been proven to affect the body’s internal endocannabinoid system. In some cases, CBD is suspended in cannabis seed oil, which does have documented skincare benefits as described below.

Beware that the unclear legal status of CBD has resulted in a lack of regulation and quality control. In addition, some companies use harmful chemical solvents to extract CBD which can in turn, be absorbed through the skin into the body.

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Where do I buy it?

CBD products are more widely available than products that contain THC. While dispensaries may sell CBD oils and products, they can sometimes also be purchased at health food stores or other locations, varying depending on the state or country you live in.

Cannabis Seed Oil (Cannabis sativa seed oil)

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What is it?

Cannabis seed oil is made by cold pressing the seeds of low THC producing cannabis sativa plants, instead of using flowers or other parts to extract oil.

This method does not involve any chemicals or solvents and preserves the nutrient content of the seeds which are naturally free from the cannabinoids THC and CBD. Cannabis seed oil is considered safe by the FDA, and it is legal.

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What is the skincare benefit?

Cannabis sativa seed oil is frequently used in skincare products, beauty products and food products because of its numerous skin and health benefits. Cannabis sativa seed oil is composed of vitamins, minerals, and polyunsaturated fatty acids that are essential for skin health. The seed oil demonstrates moisturizing, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging properties on the skin.

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Where do I buy it?

Cannabis seed oil products are more widely available than THC or CBD products, often at your local grocery store labeled as “hemp seed oil”. It is the same cannabis seed oil ingredient, derived from Cannabis sativa seeds.

While there are certainly more widely known cannabis ingredients like CBD and THC, High Beauty is formulated without CBD or THC in favor of Cannabis sativa seed oil for it’s scientifically-proven benefits to the skin. As always, High Beauty recommends doing your own research to make sure that you choose the skincare ingredients that are right for you. You can read more about High Beauty’s formulations here.

We hope you found this blog post helpful and informative. Please feel free to email us at info@highbeauty.com, or DM us on social @highskincare if you have any questions!