Does Hemp Lotion Contain THC?

Today, hemp lotions can be found in drugstores across the United States, standing next to some of the best-known beauty products in the world. Many are branded with instantly-recognizable images of the cannabis leaf or exotic taglines like “made with pure cannabis sativa seed oil.” This packaging often leads to consumer confusion, with some wondering: Does hemp lotion contain THC? Can it get you high?

The answers? No and no.

Since THC is still a controlled substance under federal law, any product that contains it must be clearly marked and only sold in licensed establishments. So, there’s little chance of accidentally picking up a THC-rich lotion while strolling through your local pharmacy, whether your state has legalized cannabis or not.

But even skin care products that do contain THC won’t get you high, since they contain insufficient amounts to cause psychoactive effects. In the case of hemp lotions, though, there’s simply no THC to start with.

That’s because hemp lotions are made from hemp seed oil, which is a completely different than CBD oil (which won’t get you high, either) or THC-rich cannabis oil (which can, but only when smoked, vaped, or eaten). Hemp seeds don’t contain either of those cannabinoids, which is why you should remember CBD products made only from hemp seed oil are not effective.

While hemp lotions might not ease your anxiety or make you more excited to go to the gym, they do have their advantages (aside from not turning up on a drug test). There’s a reason they’ve been around for years — here’s why they might be worth a try.

The Benefits of Hemp Lotion

It’s not going to be useful to you if you’re looking for a high, but if clear, healthy skin is your goal, then hemp lotion could be perfect. It has a wide range of health benefits for all skin types, from those prone to pimples to those with severe eczema.

It’s Great For Dry Skin
One of the best ways to treat dry skin is to use a non-comedogenic product (this means an oil that doesn’t clog the pores) with a rich fatty acid and essential oil content. For this, you need look no further than hemp lotions. Hemp plants are packed with these important nutrients, which have been clinically proven to reduce dryness. You can also use hemp lotion as a body moisturizer to soften stubborn patches of dry skin, such as on the knees or elbows.

It Could Treat Acne
Hemp plants have powerful antibacterial properties and, although most people don’t know it, acne is a bacterial skin infection. Excess oil clogs the pores and bacteria grow inside them as a result. Studies have shown that hemp oil can kill even the most stubborn bacteria and, if used in topical skin care products, could act as an effective treatment for those that cause acne.

It Can Reduce Redness
Hemp-based lotions can reduce redness in the skin thanks to the anti-inflammatory abilities of hemp oil. This is useful for people dealing with chronic skin problems like rosacea whose symptoms include heavy pigmentation. Used as a daily moisturizer, a good hemp lotion can help to calm the immune system’s inflammatory response and restore a balanced skin tone to the face.

It Soothes Sensitive Skin
Between 40 and 50 percent of Americans have sensitive skin. This is the most difficult skin type to treat, as most products irritate it further. But hemp lotions aren’t likely to have that effect — especially organic and/or vegan products derived from plants grown without harsh chemicals — since they’re rich in Vitamin E, which helps strengthen the skin’s protective barriers and protect it against sun damage, pollution, and other irritants.