20 hemp-based products vs. their regular counterparts. Is it worth the hype?
Hemp legalization in the U.S. created a new consumption trend among health and organic enthusiasts and the mainstream audience. There is a hemp version for so many products that you’ll be surprised. This happens because hemp is a highly versatile plant. Hemp-based products can be applied to the skin, ingested, used as hemp clothing or accessories, and even as a composite.
Although we are hemp enthusiasts, we take pride in bringing you information that helps you make the best purchasing decisions. This article will show you an unbiased view of hemp products versus their traditional version. We analyzed these products to understand the difference and see if hemp is worth the hype.
Topicals
Hemp seed oils are a booming success in topical products for numerous reasons. This oil is not only abundant in antioxidants and essential fatty acids, but it’s also non-comedogenic with amazing moisturizing properties.
Body Butter
Finding the perfect body lotion depends on many different factors, including your skin type, the weather of the place where you live, and the current season. If you have a dry skin type and are going through the winter, a body lotion with high hydration properties will do wonders for your skin.
One of the most praised properties of hemp as a skin product is its moisturizing capability. Hemp oil is highly hydrating and nourishing and has lots of antioxidants. Choosing a natural skincare product with this ingredient can benefit any skin at any time of the year.
Shea butter also contains high concentrations of essential fatty acids, which are fantastic for healthy skin. Just like hemp, shea has anti-inflammatory properties. The increased amount of fat present in shea butter makes it highly emollient. Some studies claim that shea butter can remove dark spots on the skin and help address issues like stretch marks.
Hemp Oil Body Butter
- Plenty of antioxidants
- Anti-inflammatory properties
- Fatty acids profile: linoleic acids (50- 70%)
- It can help treat eczema and other skin conditions
- Suitable for extremely dry skin
- Price Range: $$$
Shea Body Butter
- Plenty of antioxidants
- Anti-inflammatory properties
- Fatty acids profile: stearic and oleic acids (90%)
- It can help remove dark spots and stretch marks
- Suitable for dry skin
- $$ :Price Range
Face Moisturizing Cream
What’s essential in a lotion that you would apply to your face? Anti-aging properties and the comedogenic rating are certainly a must. The comedogenic rating measures how likely a substance is to clog your pores. This information is highly valuable for people who suffer from acne because using a comedogenic product could worsen your skin condition.For example, coconut oil, cocoa butter, flaxseed oil, and palm oil have ratings between 4 and 5, meaning they highly clog your skin pores, which could cause blackheads and pimples.
In the comedogenic scale, hemp seed oil ranks 0, which means it will not clog pores. This rich oil also acts as a powerful cleanser with anti-acne and anti-rash properties. But by far, the most exciting benefit of hemp seed oil is that the presence of antioxidants prevents skin aging. So, you have the perfect combo of an ingredient that can rejuvenate your skin, clean it, and hydrate it.
Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is vital in synthesizing collagen and even antioxidant properties. By promoting collagen production, vitamin C-based products will help you have firmer and younger skin. Besides the anti-aging properties, this ingredient can help brighten your skin and remove darker spots. The best form to apply vitamin C to your face is by using serums.
Hemp Oil Face Cream
- Non-comedogenic
- Plenty of antioxidants to prevent skin aging.
- Has powerful anti-acne and anti-rash properties
- Hydrates the skin without making it oily.
- Price Range: $$$
Vitamin C Face Cream
- Non-comedogenic
- Promotes collagen production for firmer skin
- Brightens the skin and removes dark spots
- Enhances the natural glow of the skin.
- $$ :Price Range
Lip Balm
Having healthy and good-looking lips can make a difference in anyone’s appearance. Using a high-quality lip balm daily will prevent dry or chapped lips, even when the weather changes drastically. Lip balms can be applied before lipstick or gloss to ensure healthy, protected, and soft lips.
Beeswax has been among the world’s favorite cosmetics since ancient Egypt. Why does everyone love using beeswax as a lip balm? This natural product has many antibacterial agents and can create a protective layer over the lips. It works as a humectant, attracting water and keeping your lips hydrated and protected.
You can count on all goods like antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and non-comedogenic moisturizing. Another advantage that hemp-based products have is that they’re vegan-friendly. They are also antibacterial and can help.
Hemp Oil Lip Balm
- Comedogenic Rating – 0
- Hydrates the lip skin
- Antibacterial properties
- Vegan-friendly
- Price Range: $$$
Beeswax Lip Balm
- Comedogenic Rating – 2
- Hydrates and protects the lip skin
- Antibacterial properties
- Not vegan-friendly
- $ :Price Range
Soothing Salve
Soothing salves are what your grandmother would apply to a skin rash you had as a child. Although these products are usually related to childhood memories, they have remarkable properties. The most common base for a soothing salve is beeswax, shea butter, and essential oils and fragrances.
Herbal soothing salves can have many different ingredients and purposes. However, the most commonly used are lemon balm and calendula, widely known for their calming properties when applied to the skin. Lemon balm has a slightly sedative effect and can help treat cold sores. Calendula has calming effects, can act as a mild analgesic, and helps treat skin inflammation.
Hemp soothing salves with cannabidiol (CBD) can have an enhanced soothing effect due to this compound’s properties. Research has shown that CBD can have anti-inflammatory benefits when applied to the skin and relieve itching and pain.
CBD Hemp Soothing Salve
- Calming properties
- Anti-inflammatory benefits
- Can help relieve pain
- Can help relieve itching
- Price Range: $$$
Herbal Soothing Salve
- Calming properties
- Mild sedative effect
- Mild analgesic
- Can help treat cold sores and skin inflammation
- $ :Price Range
Herbal Bath Bombs
If you’re a fan of long tub baths with different scents and colors, then using bath bombs may be your ultimate indulging ritual. The variety of ingredients available in these fizzy and palm-sized spheres is immense, and you could get different results on your skin. However, it is advised to avoid bath bombs that contain chemical coloring, glitter, and other substances that may harm sensitive skin.
The ingredients of a bath fizzy will clean your skin, pamper, and soothe it. Besides the fun element of seeing your bath water get colored and fizzy, you can also enjoy the benefits of essential oils if you choose herbal blends. The oils will evaporate as the fizzy bath dissolves in warm water, and you’ll enjoy the benefits.
Many CBD bath bombs promise to provide calming and soothing effects from this cannabinoid. Don’t worry; you will not get high using a CBD bath fizzy. Many people report feeling calmer and more relaxed after soaking in the tub with these CBD bath bombs, as others gave pain relief testimonials.
CBD Bath Bombs
- Moisturizes and indulges the skin
- People reported pain relief effects
- People reported soothing and calming effects
- 100 mg of CBD per bomb / no THC
- Price Range: $$$
Herbal Bath Bombs
- Moisturizes and indulges the skin
- Aromatherapy benefits
- Sodium bicarbonate: smooths the skin
- Citric acid: antioxidant that reduces skin aging
- $ :Price Range
Herbal Shampoo
Shampoos are an essential cosmetic for almost everyone, and the variety of products and ingredients is staggering. The best way to choose a shampoo that fits your needs is by paying attention to your hair texture, health, and goals. Do you want to help hair growth? Are you suffering from scalp conditions? Answering these questions will help you choose the best shampoo for your needs.
Some oils added to shampoo formulas, such as argan oil, can help your hair and scalp health immensely. This oil is widely known for helping promote hair growth and improving scalp health. Argan oil can help prevent hair loss and can protect the hair from sun and heat damage. This ingredient is essential in your shampoo if you want long and healthy hair.
Hemp seed oil, as we already mentioned, has numerous benefits for the skin, and those also apply to the scalp. The essential fatty acids omega-6 and omega-3 are known for promoting hair growth. Scalp conditions and inflammations can also benefit significantly from the use of shampoo with hemp seed oil.
Hemp Seed Oil Shampoo
- Promotes hair growth
- Can help treat scalp inflammations
- Can prevent hair breakage
- Price Range: $$
Argan Oil Shampoo
- Promotes hair growth
- Can improve the scalp’s health
- Protects the hair from heat damage
- $$ :Price Range
Health Supplements
The craze around herbal health supplements follows many trends, and as new scientific evidence appears, new and more exciting products help your daily lives.
Sleep Aid
Insomnia is a massive problem that affects at least 25% of Americans. Some people require environmental changes, and others need the help of remedies to get a whole night of sleep. In many cases, natural remedies can help greatly without the groggy feeling in the morning after.
Multiple studies support the fact that melatonin helps people get better sleep. It can help people fall asleep faster and get better sleep quality. It is considered safe to be taken long-term, but anyone who has needed sleep aid for years should seek medical guidance.
Many people are seeking alternatives to get better sleep and are choosing CBD supplements. Although there is no scientific evidence that CBD can improve sleep quality, many people report positive results because CBD can help relieve anxiety. Studies show that different CBD dosages can keep you awake or promote sleep. When you choose a CBD product, please always look for a third-party lab-tested one.
CBD Sleep Aid
- No scientific evidence
- Can help decrease anxiety long-term
- Possibly safe
- Take 30 minutes before bed
- Price Range: $$$
Melatonin Sleep Aid
- Plenty of scientific evidence
- Helps decrease anxiety short-term
- Possibly safe
- Take 2 hours before bed
- $ :Price Range
Pain Relief Cream
Pain is one of the experiences that every human being feels during a given period of their lives. Some people even go through a lifetime dealing with pain. So, finding a pain relief product that can be applied directly to the skin with immediate results can make all the difference.
CBD is gaining a lot of attention due to its properties, and one of the most positively reported is its ability to soothe pain. Early research shows that cannabinoids can help treat difficult-mil manage pains. However, this evidence is new, so scientists have not reviewed cannabis products. In the meantime, many people are using CBD products with pain relief properties with some great results.
Chemicals present in the arnica plant also have numerous benefits linking it to pain relief and as an anti-inflammatory. This plan can help soothe pain and reduce swelling, and it’s excellent for inflammatory pain. However, arnica is considered unsafe to be taken orally.
CBD Pain Relief Cream
- No scientific evidence
- Anti-inflammatory properties
- Possibly safe
- Price Range: $$
Arnica Pain Relief Cream
- Some scientific evidence
- Anti-inflammatory and anti-swelling properties
- Possibly safe, but not safe to be ingested.
- $ :Price Range
Foods and Drinks
Hemp seeds are praised and loved by many people who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet because they are a healthy source of proteins, amino acids, nutrients, and fiber. Despite the nutty flavor, they are not as allergenic as nuts, but only some are fond of their taste.
Tofu
Vegans and vegetarians are always looking for ways to enrich their diet with protein; tofu is among the favorite options. This gluten-free food has low calories, no cholesterol, and is highly versatile. There are many different consistencies in which you may find tofu: from silken to extra firm. The firmer version can be grilled or fried, while the silken one is suitable for blending.
Traditional tofu is made from coagulating soymilk into curds, which are pressed into blocks. This food has numerous research indicating health benefits, including reducing LDL cholesterol, preventing cancer, liver damage, osteoporosis, and much more. However, high daily soy intake has some controversies about possible health risks. In sum, you can eat it in moderate amounts.
Other vegetal sources can be used to create tofu; one great example is hemp. Hemp tofu or hempfu is made from hemp milk, consisting of blended hemp seeds with water. Hemp tofu has a firm consistency and is great for grilling or frying. However, if you need something with a creamier texture to blend or add to a dip, or a pudding, you should opt for soy tofu.
Hemp Tofu
- Consistency is firm.
- Plant-based and soy-free
- Texture is crumbly
- Price Range: $$$
Soy Tofu
- Consistency can be from silken to firm
- Plant-based
- Texture is creamy
- $ :Price Range
Non-Dairy Coffee Creamer
Finding the best creamer can make a difference in your daily coffee. The most popular non-dairy options include coconut milk or soymilk. However, coconut has a distinct flavor that some people may not enjoy, and others are allergic or prefer to avoid soymilk. There are plenty of other non-dairy creamer options made from nuts and seeds.
Almond milk creamer is one of the favorites for those who love cappuccinos because it has just the right thickness and makes a nice foam. If you choose an unsweetened version, this creamer is low in sugar and calories. This creamer is rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and a great source of calcium and vitamin E.
Hemp creamer is something relatively new in the range of non-dairy products. It has all the benefits from hemp seeds, including abundant antioxidants and essential fatty acids. It’s an excellent alternative for people who can’t eat dairy, either nuts. Hemp creamer has a slightly nutty flavor and creamy texture to your coffee.
Hemp Creamer
- Safe for nut allergies
- Can have hemp seed taste
- Won’t separate when warmed up
- Price Range: $$
Almond Creamer
- Not safe for nut allergies
- Can have an almond taste
- Will separate when warmed up
- $$ :Price Range
Calming Tea
Teas are many people’s chosen drinks for many reasons: for the taste, for calming, to alleviate nausea, to help digestion, to treat mild cold symptoms, and many others. The secret to a perfectly brewed tea is finding the right temperature for steeping it. It would help if you never poured boiling water into loose tea or a teabag. The water temperature will burn the herbs, so wait for them to cool down before pouring.
Most recipes for calming teas contain herbs such as chamomile or lemon balm. Chamomile is known for its mild tranquilizing effect and ability to induce sleep. Lemon balm can soothe stress and adverse mood effects and reduce feelings of anxiety, according to a study. Another plus side of these herbs is that most people appreciate their minty and sweet flavor.
Hemp teas from the plant’s flowers and leaves can have plenty of beneficial substances such as cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. Hemp tea’s taste is also milder than other CBD products, such as CBD oil or tinctures. By cooking the tea for longer, you could increase the amount of CBD naturally present in hemp. It is possible that you could feel the mildly soothing effects usually related to CBD.
Hemp Tea
- Mild grassy flavor
- Can have calming and soothing effects
- Rich in antioxidants and terpenes
- Price Range: $$$
Herbal Tea
- Mildly sweet and minty flavor
- Can have calming and soothing effects
- Rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties
- $ :Price Range
Coffee
For many people, starting the morning with coffee is crucial for a successful day. This drink can improve energy levels, activate a cognitive function, and sharpen memory. Coffee is a trendy drink with numerous health benefits and great taste, whether brewed, espresso, with milk, or creamer. A nicely brewed cup of gourmet coffee is excellent for many reasons: it has many anti-inflammatory properties and is packed with antioxidants. Decaffeinated versions also share the same health benefits.
One of the most optimal ways of increasing coffee’s benefits is by correctly preparing a high-quality product. Specialists advise that the best way to enjoy the full benefits of coffee is by drinking black coffee, and the lighter the roast, the more natural substances it retains. Avoid adding too much sugar or full-fat dairy products, such as full-cream or condensed milk, to ensure maximum benefit.
The newest exciting trend in CBD-infused products is CBD Coffee. Many reviewers say it will make you feel calm and alert without the jitters and edginess many people get from regular coffee. In addition to that, you’ll get increased anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits naturally present in hemp. Some people also reported feeling anti-anxiety and pain-relieving effects, although no scientific evidence supports that.
CBD Coffee
- Natural antioxidants and anti-inflammatory benefits.
- Improves energy levels with a mild calming effect.
- Can reportedly have anti-anxiety or pain-relief effects.
- Price Range: $$$
Gourmet Coffee
- Natural antioxidants and anti-inflammatory benefits.
- Improved energy levels and sharpens the memory.
- Can cause jitters and edginess.
- $ :Price Range
Water
If there’s one thing that has only benefits and should be consumed by everyone, this is water. Drinking the right amount of water daily is crucial for a healthy body. On average, people should drink at least eight glasses of water daily, equal to 2 liters. The benefits include increased energy, relieving fatigue, promoted weight loss, improved skin condition, and more.
There are a couple of ways you can optimize your water intake, and one of them is by consuming CBD-infused water. Adding this supplement to your daily habits via water is one of the easiest ways to ingest CBD. Usually, the amount of CBD per serving is minimal, and you wouldn’t feel an effect similar to when you consume concentrate products such as CBD oils and tinctures. However, it’s a pleasant way to add this health supplement to your habits.
Pet Products
Pet owners are always looking for ways to improve the life of their furry companions. As hemp products grew in popularity among humans, people started considering this product a safe option for their pets.
Small Pet Bedding
You know the importance of good bedding if you own a small pet like a guinea pig, hamster, or rabbit. This material should be comfortable, absorbent, and clean. The variety of materials is plentiful; the most common are paper and wood chips. To ensure durability, it’s crucial to spot-clean it daily and entirely wash the pet’s home every week.
Paper-based bedding materials are many owners’ favorites due to their softness, dryness, and ability to absorb odors for longer. Paper-based bedding has other advantages like not being palatable – meaning that your pet will not try to eat it – and not containing dust – which can harm the pet’s health.
Hemp-based bedding is a new material that can also be used for pets and other animals. It can stay dry longer than other materials, such as straw and wood chips, and has low dust and palatability. Made from industrial-grade hemp, this bedding material is completely safe for pets, besides being eco-friendly and biodegradable.
Hemp Bedding
- Moderately soft and very dry
- Non-palatable, no dust
- Can last 6 to 8 weeks
- Price Range: $$$
Paper Bedding
- Very soft and very dry
- Non-palatable, no dust
- Can last up to 10 days
- $ :Price Range
Dog Treats
Dog owners widely use treats and other goodies for training purposes. Still, they can also benefit the pet’s body and mouth health. Small-sized chewable treats are great for dogs of any age and are a good fit as training treats. Choosing products without artificial coloring or other possibly harmful ingredients is crucial. But the final choice will certainly have to do with your dog’s taste.
Besides choosing a chewable treat or soft bite without chemical ingredients, allergenic grains, it is crucial to choose a product that has rich sources of protein. Most of the dogs’ favorites come in flavors such as turkey, beet, salmon, lamb, chicken, and others. Grain-free brands with added essential fatty acids can help your best friend to ingest a healthy treat.
Hemp dog treats can also contain protein, nutrients, and essential fatty acids. The amount of omega-3 and omega-6 naturally present in the hemp seed oil – used as the main ingredient – can be highly beneficial for a dog’s health. These essential fatty acids boost the immune system, improve skin and coat, and reduce inflammation. These treats are safe and have high protein if your dog follows a meat-free diet.
Hemp Bedding
- Meat-free
- Essential fatty acids naturally present
- Great for training purposes
- Price Range: $$
Meat Dog Treats
- Comes with meat
- Can have essential fatty acids added
- Great for training purposes
- $$ :Price Range
Tug Dog Toys
Dogs are active pets, energetic, and always eager to have fun. Many toys are indispensable to ensure a happy and mentally healthy dog that will not chew into your shoes and furniture. Playing tug of war is not only a way to create a friendly bond with your dog. It is also a very healthy way to stimulate them physically and mentally. Specialists say that tug-war is a healthy way for dogs to display their predatory nature. Tug war will not make your dog aggressive, but it may not be the best game to play if they already show aggressive behavior.
Rope toys are the most popular ones used to play tug of war. But pay attention and keep the tug toy away if your dog keeps chewing on it. Only let them play under your supervision to prevent them from ingesting parts of the toy. It’s nice to teach your dog some tricks, like dropping it.
Hemp fiber is a remarkably resisting material, which fits perfectly into the requisites for a durable tug toy. Even if your dog is an avid chewer, this toy can certainly last longer and endure many sessions of tug-war. Hemp products are not only a sustainable choice but also hypoallergenic, mold, and mildew resistant.
Hemp Tug Toy
- Can be a bit rough on the dog’s mouth
- Suitable for mild chewers
- Non-toxic and all-natural
- Price Range: $$
Rope Tug Toy
- Soft on the dog’s mouth
- Suitable for aggressive chewers
- Can have chemicals or ink
- $$ :Price Range
