Hemp Cosmetics

Unconventional though they may sound, hemp cosmetics are being widely used today. Several cosmetics are manufactured using different extracts of the hemp plant, the same plant that yields the drug cannabis. It has taken a lot of historical development to bring hemp cosmetics to their modern form. Today, there are whole lines of hemp cosmetics that are being used by men as well as women.

A Short History of Hemp Use in Cosmetics

Hemp use has had an indeed long history, and it is among one of the earliest cultivated fibers of the world. There are evidences hemp existed even 10,000 years ago in China and Taiwan. The earliest use of hemp was as a textile fiber like linen, and in making materials like ropes and paper. In the medieval periods, hemp was so popular that it was cultivated in almost all countries of the world.

The use of hemp in food began in the latter part of the medieval period. Hemp was rarely cooked much, but it was used in baked dishes and in soups. The food line of hemp has expanded admirably in the last few decades. However, hemp got its official status when both George Washington and Thomas Jefferson advocated the cultivation of this crop. In fact, the Declaration of Independence itself is drafted on paper made from hemp.

The use of hemp thrived from this age till the 20th century, when it began to show a decline. Hemp began to be classified as a narcotic in the 1930s and its cultivation began to be curtailed by legislation. At the same time, cotton emerged as an effective and cheap option for the textile industry. Hemp production virtually came to a standstill.

It was not until the nineties that most governments saw the error of their ways and lifted the restrictions on hemp. Several people lobbied for bringing hemp back into cultivation and they have been hugely successful. This is when hemp was almost resurrected. In its new avatar, hemp emerged as a health supplement and as a cosmetic base. The cosmetic side of hemp is still in development, though there are quite a few manufacturers who have launched their hemp cosmetic lines.

Hemp Cosmetic Products


Hemp is used in making several cosmetics for the skin and hair. Hemp shampoos and conditioners are very popular, and so are products such as body lotions, shower gels, bubble baths and cleansers. A tea-tree cream can be manufactured using hemp. For the face, hemp is used in making lip balms and shaving creams and oils. Hemp is also a vital ingredient in manufacturing deodorants with several kinds of added fragrances.

Benefits of Using Hemp Cosmetics

The popularity of hemp as a cosmetic base stems from several benefits that extracts of this crop can provide to the human body. The active ingredients of hemp cosmetics are generally hemp oil from its nuts and seeds and its flour. The following are some of the benefits that these extracts of the hemp plant, which make them ideal for use in cosmetics:-

Hemp oil is extremely rich in all kinds of fatty acids, including omega-3, omega-6 and omega-9. These are essential fatty acids that help the body’s healing process. They can repair worn out skin cells and replace dead ones with new cells so that the skin begins looking afresh and youthful.

Hemp cosmetics provide the necessary moisture to the skin. This makes the skin supple and even a little lustrous. Shiny skin looks healthier and gives a more youthful look to the person.

Hemp soaps are very good for sensitive skins. They provide natural fortification so that the skin is protected from allergies, rashes, etc. Hemp soaps have an exfoliated effect on the skin.

Hemp can revive and revitalize hair. They revert the hair back to its natural sheen and make them feel bouncy.

More and more uses of hemp cosmetics are being developed in labs across the world. The lines of hemp cosmetics are mostly available by mail order and by online shopping, but they are gradually making their appearances on store shelves also.