Ruth Griffin: Why CBD and hemp is the new luxury beauty trend
Meet the new luxury beauty ingredient
Ruth Griffin by Taine King
According to a recent article in Allure magazine, such is the popularity of CBD, they claim we're now living in The Marijuanaissance. The fashion tome reckons that CBD is swapping its surfer-stoner image for one of a luxury wellness and beauty ingredient.
CBD stands for cannabidiol. It is the second-most prevalent of the active ingredients of cannabis (marijuana). It's derived from the hemp plant - a cousin of the marijuana plant. CBD oil comes from the flowers, leaves, and stems, while hemp seed oil uses extract from the seeds of the cannabis plant. Hemp oil and CBD have been found to be beneficial for our skin, hair and even gums.
The skincare benefits of CBD and hemp oil come from it being so rich in fatty acids and natural emollients that help hydrate and smooth skin. The last few months has seen skincare brands like Garnier, This Works, The Inkey List and Aussie Haircare launch hemp oil- and CBD-based beauty products.
The Oil
Hemp oil contains a high content of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which deeply moisturise and nourish skin. This oil is richly nurturing but feels lightweight on the skin - it's not heavy and greasy to touch. If your skin is particularly thirsty or dry this autumn, adding this oil to your night-time routine will act as a lovely skin plumper for thirsty faces. The addition of green tea extract, an antioxidant, helps to further protect skin. The Inkey List Hemp Oil, €11.50 from Arnotts and pharmacies nationwide.
Leading Experts
The CBD Skincare Experts
Elixinol Skin are one of the leading experts on CBD- and hemp-based skincare - and they have just launched in Ireland. Their whole range is 100pc vegan, cruelty-free and natural, with fully recyclable packaging. I've been road-testing their products and fancy this serum as their star product (and their Cleansing Balm €34.95 is lovely too) Elixinol Rejuvenating Serum, €39.95 from Boots nationwide.
The Organic Range
Garnier Organics has been on my radar since its launch, as it's a fully credited organic skincare line that is also super affordable. They've just launched a range of hemp products that are COSMOS Organic certified and vegan. Included in their new hemp-infused line is this gem. This hemp seed oil is obtained by cold pressing the seeds (ie no dilution), to get the purest extract - all at a brilliant price point. Garnier Organic Hemp Restore Gel Cream, €7.50 from pharmacies nationwide.
Hero Product
Celtic Wind is a company that uses CBD as their hero ingredient. They supply CBD food supplements, but I'm focusing here on their skincare. Their standout product is their lipbalm, which is a blend of their hemp-based CBD and nourishing shea butter (known for its elasticity and moisturising properties), with the delicious tasting sweet vanilla oil. Celtic Wind Natural Skincare CBD Lip Balm, €12.95, celticwindcrops.com and health stores nationwide.
The Skin Booster
Why not customise your evening skincare regime by applying this CBD detox treatment to your skin? One per cent hemp-derived CBD is blended with a trio of 98pc natural acids (lactic, citric and tartaric) to gently decongest pores and get our glow on. For anyone suffering from troubled sleep, this beaut also has an aroma therapeutic fragrance to help us get our zen on. This Works has launched a whole range of CBD Boosters that you can customise to suit your own skin needs. See thisworks.com for more. This Works CBD Booster Evening Detox + AHA, €48 from Arnotts and pharmacies nationwide.