Hemp Oil Is the Perfect Makeup Remover: Here’s Why

Americans are obsessed with all things CBD skin care right now, and for good reason. CBD — which can be derived from both the hemp and marijuana plants — has been shown to reduce anxiety, combat inflammation, and relieve pain (among many other benefits). But what about just plain old hemp oil? It might sound odd, but hemp oil could soon become one of your favorite beauty products, as it makes the dreaded process of makeup removal — arguably the most important step of any skin care routine — easier than you ever imagined.

What Is Hemp Oil, Exactly?

Hemp (or hemp seed) oil is extracted from the seeds of the hemp plant. This is usually done by cold pressing the husks of the seeds until a greenish liquid is produced. Although hemp, like marijuana, is a member of the cannabis sativa genus, there’s an important difference between cannabis oil (which usually refers to products that contain CBD and/or THC) and hemp oil (which contains neither). Some hemp oils are marketed as “cannabis sativa oil” made from the finest hemp seeds — you should avoid these, because they’re not worth your money.

Cannabis oil is best known for the cannabidiol (CBD) that it contains. CBD has seen an incredible explosion in popularity in the last two years across the United States and the world at large. It’s been proven to have many health benefits, which is why brands are scrambling to add it to their products and tap into the fast-growing market.

Hemp oil, on the other hand, doesn’t contain any CBD. This isn’t to say that it has no medicinal value, but rather that customers should be aware of the difference. Unlike CBD, hemp oil has been legally sold in health food stores and online for decades. Seen as a superfood product, hemp oil might be a little less trendy than cannabis oil or CBD, but it doesn’t mean it’s any less useful.

Why Is Hemp Oil Good for Removing Makeup?

The first step of any good skin care regimen begins with removing whatever makeup you’ve worn that day. However, sometimes by the time you get around to even thinking about it, you’re just too tired to follow through. But experts agree that skipping this step is a mortal sin that will place you firmly on the path to pimpleville.

If this sounds like a tedious chore, it’s probably not because you’re lazy — it’s because you’re using a makeup remover that doesn’t work. Hemp oil, on the other hand, could make removing your products as easy as brushing your teeth.

1. Hemp Oil Is Gentle
Laura Mercier, creator of the international beauty brand Laura Mercier Cosmetics, is just one of many skin care experts who emphasize the importance of being gentle when removing makeup. Oils and oil-based products are infinitely better in this regard.

“The process of taking off your makeup should be gentle and should never leave your skin dehydrated or irritated,” Mercier recently told Allure. While some cleansers, gels, and other products require scrubbing, all you need to do with an oil is gently massage it into the skin and eyelashes with your fingertips, then wipe everything away.

2. Hemp Oil Is Anti-inflammatory
Like CBD, hemp oil has a powerful anti-inflammatory effect on the skin. This means that it can help to reduce the symptoms of many different skin conditions including acne, eczema, and psoriasis. It can also reduce the size and severity of breakouts.

3. Hemp Oil Is Rich in Essential Fatty Acids
One of the reasons why hemp oil has been used as a dietary supplement for so many years is its rich fatty acid content. Fatty acids play many vital roles in the body, supporting everything from brain health to hair growth. Their role in the health and appearance of the skin is also hugely important.

Using hemp oil to remove your makeup at the end of each day provides your skin with a much-needed treatment of these acids. Massaging the oil into your skin as you work your makeup off means that they have time to become fully absorbed, too.

4. Hemp Oil is a Great Moisturizer
Lots of people worry that using oils or oil-based products on their skin will cause breakouts. It’s true that breakouts are often caused by excess oil (known as sebum) in the skin, but not all oils are the same. Hemp oil is a specific type of oil that doesn’t stick to the skin and, therefore, doesn’t clog pores.

This means that you can enjoy all of the moisturizing benefits of a facial oil without having to worry about waking up to a breakout — which is perfect for dry skin.

How to Remove Makeup With Hemp Oil

So, now that you know why hemp oil is a great product to use for removing makeup, here are some tips on how you can get the best results from the process.

1. Use Warm Oil
Warming up your hemp oil isn’t necessary, but it will help the oil to work faster. There’s no need to heat it directly, but keep it near a radiator or other source of heat so that the oil warms up gently before you use it.

2. The Right Technique
When removing your makeup with hemp seed oil, apply a few drops of the oil onto your fingertips and begin massaging it onto your face. You can add more oil if you need to but you should find that a little goes a long way. Making small circle-like motions with the tips of the fingers also helps stimulate blood circulation and drain the lymphatic system.

Use the same technique when removing eye makeup. Gently close your eyes and massage your lashes until they feel soft and clean, then wipe away the residue. Remember to always be extra gentle with the skin around the eyes, although the oil should make removing mascara and liners so easy that no pressure is needed.

3. Removing The Oil
To remove the oil once you’re happy that your makeup is fully broken down, all you need is a cotton pad or a clean muslin cloth. Simply wipe the oil away from the face and you’re finished. If using a cloth, though, make sure to only use it once before washing as it could breed bacteria that you don’t want to be applying to your face the next day. Keeping several cloths on rotation is a good way to avoid this.