Healing Powers of Hemp
About Hemp
Hemp Seed Oil
Hemp seed oil is nature's perfectly balanced oil. It contains 80% of the essential fatty acids required by our skin to maintain its integrity and function. It also contains methionine and cysteine which are amino acids required in the production of healthy skin, hair, and nails. The essential fatty acid - linoleic - found in this oil, as well as its metabolite, gamma-linolenic acid, have proven to confer very beneficial therapeutic effects on the skin. These fatty acids contain glycerides, sterols and phospholipids.
Hemp Seed Oil production is eco friendly; the plants require no fertilizer, no insecticides, and are naturally mildew resistant. The oil contains no psychoactive chemicals and is not banned by any state or the federal government. Hemp seed oil’s fatty acid composition and lipid profile closely resembles that of our own skin making this the perfect moisturizer.
Hemp Seed Oil
How Hemp Seed Oil Positively Impacts Skin Hydration
The skin performs many functions for us, most importantly it controls water loss. To limit this passive water loss, the epidermis (or upper most layer of the skin) must possess adequate amounts of the necessary lipids and fats to hold the cells together in their respective layers. Polyunsaturated fats in the skin include essential fatty acids like Omega-6, Omega-3, and Gamma-linoleic acids along with constituent components such as ceramides.
The skin replaces itself from the inside out about every 28 days and does so based on various chemical signals that control cell replication beginning in the stratum germinativum (or basal layer of the epidermis). It is here that ceramides are produced and essential fatty acids are incorporated in order to serve as a strong water-retaining layer as they migrate towards the skin surface. Given that skin is 70% water, it is easy to understand the importance of maintaining proper adhesion of the skin cells in order to prevent water loss and imbalance.
External factors can dehydrate and disrupt the skin: UV radiation, exposure to dry air, excessive use of soaps, and exposure to organic solvents can all reduce the skin's ability to retain moisture. Aging itself decreases the ceramide production in the basal cell layer rendering the mature stratum corneum (or outer most layer of the skin) unable to perform its moisture retention function efficiently. However, hemp seed oil is the perfect base for most any skin care product.
The rich Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids in hemp seed oil are available for direct absorption into the skin. Hemp Seed Oil also contains vitamin-E and carotene anti-oxidants which assist the skin with repairing damage incurred from external sources and said to stimulate cell growth making it remarkable for healing skin conditions and dry or mature skin.
While other purported moisturizers containing petroleum jelly and mineral oils simply lay on the skin's surface, Hemp Seed Oil directly penetrates delivering essential fatty acids and anti-oxidants to the deeper layer while restoring function and appearance. Studies have specifically shown cracking or scaling reversed by skin care products containing these omega-6 fatty acids.