The lack of nationwide regulations in the cannabis industry leads to brand misinformation and consumer confusion, especially when it comes to comparing products like hemp oil vs. CBD oil. 

What is hemp oil, and is it the same thing as CBD oil? Although the two products come from the hemp plant and often are marketed similarly within the health and wellness industry, they’re not one and the same, which is a disservice to consumers who could benefit from the differing properties of both products.

Here’s everything you need to know about hemp vs. CBD so you can make informed decisions about your cannabis experiences:

Type of oil	Plant origin	Contains some THC	Contains cannabinoids	Can be purchased on Amazon	Psychoactive properties
Hemp Oil	Industrial hemp variety of Cannabis Sativa plant	No	No	Yes	No
CBD Oil	Various varieties of the Cannabis Sativa plant	Yes	Yes	No	No

 

Is hemp oil the same as CBD oil?

Hemp oil is not the same as CBD oil, although it’s easy to mix the two up because they come from the same plant. The various chemical compounds found within the Cannabis Sativa plant impact our bodies in different ways, and that includes hemp,cannabidiol (CBD) and even tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). 

 

The difference between hemp oil and CBD oil is that they come from different parts of the plant, which means these compounds have different makeups, effects on the body and benefits. 

 

So when you see CBD oils including misleading buzz words like “hemp extract oil” it’s important to differentiate that from “hemp seed oil” because they represent entirely different products. Hemp seed oil is hemp oil, and CBD oil can be a variety of “hemp extract oil,” “CBD isolate” and other variations, like “CBD vape oil.”

 

What is hemp oil?

Hemp oil is a nutritious oil extract rich in antioxidants and essential omega-3 and -6 fatty acids. This health and wellness ingredient is derived from hemp seeds rather than the resin of the Cannabis Sativa’s flowers, which is where the cannabinoids, terpenes and all other compounds in hemp are contained and extracted.

 

This means hemp oil does not contain THC or CBD. Once the seeds are harvested, they are cold-pressed and processed into an oil for cooking ingredients, beauty products and supplements.

 

In contrast to its trending CBD counterpart, hemp oil has been widely available on the market for years since it doesn’t contain any traces of THC and doesn’t require as many restrictions to sell legally. 

 

What is CBD oil?

CBD oil is a natural substance that is known for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. This oil is extracted from the flowers, stalks and leaves of the Cannabis Sativa plant, which means that some CBD products may contain secondary cannabinoids, terpenes and other phytonutrients. 

 

Some CBD products may contain traces of THC depending on the extraction process, but according to thefederal 2018 Farm Bill, all legal CBD products must contain less than 0.3 percent of THC. 

 

Cannabinoids can be extracted in a variety of ways, and then suspended in various oils for easier consumption. When consumed, CBD oil has the potential to interact with theEndocannabinoid System (ECS), which leads to a variety of benefits for your physical and mental health. 

 

CBD oil vs. hemp oil: The ingredients

The most efficient way to decipher between hemp oil and CBD oil is by researching the labels and ingredients of each product. Here’s what to look for: 

 

When purchasing hemp oil, trusted brands will always use “hemp seed oil” as an active ingredient because true hemp oil is only derived from the seeds of the Cannabis Sativa plant.

 

While “cannabidiol” will always be an active ingredient in CBD products, these products may also have a little more variety in their ingredients list because this substance can be derived from hemp or any other cannabidiol-rich strain of the Cannabis Sativa plant. 

 

When purchasing CBD oil look for primary ingredients like “CBD isolate,” “CBD full-spectrum,” “CBD broad spectrum” or “phytocannabinoid-rich CBD.” 

 

Remember that when you come across any usage of hemp you want to look for “seed” when purchasing hemp oil, and most other usages will be referring to CBD products. 

 

Hemp oil vs CBD oil: The production method

From harvest to product, hemp seed oil and CBD oil are manufactured completely differently. 

 

For instance, hemp seed oil is produced through thecold-press extraction of hemp seeds.

 

When it comes toprocessing CBD, CBD extraction methods are more complicated and varied. CBD oil is produced using the entirety of the hemp plant through more high-tech and involved extraction techniques. CO2 extraction and solvent-based extractions are the most popular and safest means of producing CBD oil. 

 

CBD vs. hemp oil: The uses

The uses, consumption methods and benefits of hemp oil and CBD oil are just another way these two cannabis substances differentiate. 

 

You will generally find hemp seed oil as a topical for beauty products like hair and skin care. TheUS National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health found that the topical application of hemp oil helps strengthen the skin to better resist infection and to mitigate the effects of skin issues, like eczema and psoriasis. The fatty acids associated with hemp oil play a crucial role in this product’s effectiveness. 

 

While hemp oil is more popular as a topical, CBD oil is most commonly used as an oral tincture where you directly apply drops under your tongue. CBD oil is also common in products like vape cartridges, which are then used tovape CBD oil. 

 

Tinctures and vapes are effective tools for consuming CBD since they reach the necessary parts of the body quicker since CBD can be effective in helping managepain,anxiety and other internal health issues. 

 

Although both products impact our overall health and wellness experience, CBD oil’s properties more so impact the health of our body’s internal systems, while hemp oil benefits are more commonly associated with wellness routines like beauty and skincare. 

 

To sum it up

To sum it up, hemp oil, which is commonly referred to as hemp seed oil, is vastly different from CBD oil. Although the cannabis industry’s lack of regulations can be intimidating, this should not stop you from reaping the benefits of both products. Plus understanding how the two are different will not only elevate your consumer experiences, but it may also influence brands to be more transparent and reputable, thus elevating the quality of the industry.