Hemp

There's a lot of buzz lately about hemp oil, CBD, and their benefits. One of the benefits being mentioned is that hemp oil and CBD can help with rosacea skincare. Could hemp oil or CBD oil be the solution to rosacea irritation and flare-ups?

Differences and Similarities Between Hemp and Cannabis

Hemp is a strain of Cannabis Sativa. The plants look similar, but one big difference is the THC found in cannabis - pot or marijuana if you will. The THC levels in cannabis are much higher than in hemp. Hemp does not have more than 0.3% of THC, while cannabis has up to 20%. Hemp isn't going to get you high.

Here's the second big difference. Hempseed oil is extracted only from the seeds on the hemp plant. CBD oil is cold-pressed from the entire plant. CBD oil comes from the flowers, the stems, etc.

CBD helps with two things. One, it's believed to help relieve anxiety. This could help with your rosacea if anxiety and stress are a known rosacea trigger for you. Second, it has some anti-inflammatory properties. As rosacea is an inflammatory skin condition, it makes sense that people are having great luck easing the irritation and redness rosacea causes by using products with hemp oil and CBD.

Laws Are Worth Considering

While hemp is popping up everywhere, the government isn't fully agreeable to hemp products and CBD oil. The USDA just released rules regarding industrial hemp. This is an expansion of the 2018 Farm Bill that allowed for the production of hemp as long as the THC is below 0.3%. Crops have to be tested within 15 days of production. If the THC content is higher than 0.3%, the federal government says the crop must be destroyed.

As a result hemp farmers are worried. If they have to destroy crops, insurance coverage for the loss is unlikely. There have also been cases where truck drivers hauling hemp have been arrested when passing through a state where CBD is banned. The change to the 2018 Farm Bill may ease that, but for now, no one is certain if states like Idaho, Nebraska, and South Dakota will start allowing CBD oil and products or if they'll remain banned. Some states only allow CBD products if the user needs them for a specific medical reason and has a doctor's approval.

What Should You Look For?

Hemp oil and CBD oil are available in oral drops that you add to food, beverage, or on its own. Hemp seeds can be eaten plain or turned into hemp milk. The raw seeds are especially popular in cereals like granola. There are beers, seltzer products, and other beverages with CBD oil, too.

Topical lotions, ointments, and serums can have hemp oil or CBD oil added to the topical product. As it goes right onto the skin, this may be the best way to treat rosacea with hemp and CBD. You'll need to watch the other ingredients in the product. If you know glycerin is a trigger, make sure the product you choose doesn't have glycerin in it.

Rosacea Affects Everyone Differently

The problem with rosacea is that it affects everyone differently. While one person may have positive results with manuka honey for rosacea, it doesn't work for everyone. That's just how rosacea goes. It's hit and miss.

Some think this may be related to the cause of rosacea. There are still mixed feelings about what causes the skin condition. You have experts who think it may be a reaction to the microscopic mites that live on your skin. Others think it could be an issue with yeast, your body's inflammatory response, bacteria, or even fungus.

Will hemp oil treat rosacea for you? Could CBD skincare products treat your red skin and irritation? It may work well for you. It may not. The only way to know for sure is to try it and see how your rosacea skin reacts.

Over the next month, I'll be testing a hemp oil face serum and CBD face wash to see what happens. My rosacea has been worsening since the heating system was turned back on. My usual products are not helping. I'm curious to see if hemp and CBD could be the best way to treat rosacea. Check Red Face Solutions on Facebook to see how it's going.

Questions People Have About CBD and Hemp for Rosacea - Hemp Seed Oil for Rosacea

You probably have questions about CBD oil and hemp for rosacea. You're not alone. As hemp and CBD oil are growing in popularity, there's a lot to learn about the benefits of these natural products for improving rosacea flare-ups. Here are answers to some of the common rosacea and hemp questions.

Can Truck Drivers Use CBD Oil?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is pressed from the leaves, stems, and flowers of hemp (cannabis) plants. As both hemp and marijuana are cannabis plants, there is some concern. To hold a CDL, drivers cannot test positive for drug or alcohol use. One of the drugs tested for is THC, which is the compound in cannabis that makes you feel high. If you have THC in your bloodstream, you can lose your CDL.

CBD doesn't make you feel high. It's safe, but that doesn't mean you can use CBD oil for rosacea and be safe. Government standards are that CBD oil cannot have more than 0.3% THC. Industrial hemp farms are supposed to destroy any crops that have a higher THC content than 0.3%. Could a mistake be made? Most CBD oil companies have disclaimers saying they cannot guarantee their hemp oil products won't lead to positive drug tests. It's a risk to use CBD oil if you rely on your license for work.

That's the oral drops. If you use a topical hemp CBD oil serum for your face, isn't it safe? CBD is absorbed through the pores. There still is that risk of the hemp oil getting into your bloodstream, though it is less likely. An article in Fortune stated that a lab in Denver, Colorado, discovered noticeable amounts of THC in almost half of the most popular CBD oils. Again, if you are a truck driver concerned about THC in hemp oil, you may want to try Manuka honey for rosacea instead.

What Is Dermalex?

Dermalex is a British skincare product designed to help with eczema and acne rosacea. Dermalex does not contain any antibiotics and boasts the ability to relieve the itchy, irritated skin and prevent flare-ups. Dermalex Acne Rosacea helps strengthen the skin's natural barrier. In just eight weeks, your skin is supposed to improve.

While I have yet to try it, the majority of users say their redness diminishes within eight weeks of using it. Some claim it didn't help at all, but they also say they have only been using it for a couple of weeks. The manufacturer does say to allow eight weeks.

Dermalex acne ingredients are:

  • Tri-Solve - A mixture of ceramides and lipids
  • Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate - Organic compound found in sunscreens and lip balms
  • Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane - Protects against UVA and UVB rays
  • Bisabolol - An oil derived from a variety of cannabis
  • Esculin - Antioxidant from the horse chestnut
  • Triticum Vulgare - Wheat germ oil
  • Echinacea Extract - Flower extract that helps the immune system
  • Boswellia Serrata Extract - Resin from Indian frankincense that eases inflammation
  • Zanthoxylum Bungeanum Fruit Extract - Szechuan pepper extract that helps tighten and tone skin

What About CBD and Hemp for Ocular Rosacea?

Some companies are starting to produce eye drops with CBD. It's being touted as a way to treat eye discomfort and pain. A study released in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science tested out CBD eye drops on mice. The eye pressure within almost 20% of these mice increased within four hours. It's best to talk to your eye doctor before using CDB eye drops.

If you're looking for a way to ease ocular rosacea discomfort, stick to recommended drops and ointments for dry eyes. GenTeal eye drops for rosacea is one of my favorites. Purchase the drops in single-use vials or buy a two-pack of GenTeal Tears and keep one bottle at home and one in your purse, briefcase, or laptop bag.

If your ocular rosacea symptoms are severe, use the GenTeal Severe ointment. The three active GenTeal ointment ingredients are mineral oil and white petroleum. Anhydrous liquid lanolin is the inactive ingredient. These drops may affect your vision, but I find it usually clears up within 15 to 20 minutes. Use them at bedtime or before you'll be driving.