Hemp and CBD in Cosmetics – Update of the EU Cosmetics Regulation

CBD Natural Cosmetics – Skin Care with Hemp Oil, CBG & CBN

In addition to hemp oil and CBD, other representatives of lesser-known hemp components and cannabinoids can now also unfold their skin-caring properties in cosmetics. CBG (Cannabigerol) is, so to speak, the "mother" of all cannabinoids. From this precursor, the hemp plant can build the other cannabinoids contained within it. Cannabigerol works, like CBD, with our body's own endocannabinoid system, which regulates and influences a variety of biological processes in our body. Cannabigerol interacts, among other things, with the CB1 and CB2 receptors in our skin, thus promoting and supporting its healthy function. When it reaches deeper skin areas through the epidermis, our outermost skin layer, it can, for example, act against impurities and ensure better cell exchange. CBN (Cannabinol) still stands in the shadow of the already more well-known cannabinoids, especially CBD. The female hemp plant contains it only in very small amounts, so it must be carefully extracted. Studies conducted so far indicate, among other things, a soothing and antibacterial effect. CBN also seems to show promising potential in the medical treatment of symptoms of the rare genetic skin disease Epidermolysis bullosa. The skin of those affected is extremely vulnerable, often leading to extensive wounds and rapid blistering.

Cared for with Hemp – from Head to Toe

Not only the flowers and leaves of the hemp plant contain valuable active ingredients and substances for cosmetic care, but they can also be extracted from the stems, roots, and seeds. Whether cannabinoids, terpenes, vitamins, or high-quality fatty acids, hemp is wellness for skin and hair. In the CANNABIS SATIVA EXTRACT, the ingredients are obtained from the fresh or dried parts of the whole hemp plant through extraction with various solvents or different methods. They protect the skin, act antioxidatively against microorganisms, and prevent excessive sebum production. The CANNABIS SATIVA FLOWER EXTRACT is obtained only from the flowers, while CANNABIS SATIVA LEAF EXTRACT is exclusively obtained from the leaves. Both nourish the skin and keep it soft and supple. The extract from both the flowers and leaves (CANNABIS SATIVA FLOWER/LEAF EXTRACT) also shows sebum-reducing properties. If the stems are also used (CANNABIS SATIVA FLOWER/LEAF/STEM EXTRACT), its entire skin-caring and protective, as well as antioxidative effect unfolds. The extract from the callus tissue of hemp, which plants naturally form when injured, can also be used as an antioxidant. However, it is usually obtained from cell cultures (CANNABIS SATIVA CALLUS EXTRACT). In the CANNABIS SATIVA CALLUS LYSATE or the CANNABIS SATIVA CALLUS CULTURE LYSATE EXTRACT, the cultured callus cells of Cannabis sativa are lysed, meaning the cell membranes are dissolved to obtain the cell sap. Both have nourishing properties for skin and hair. The essential oil (CANNABIS SATIVA FLOWER/LEAF/STEM OIL), obtained from the green plant parts of hemp through steam distillation, is also used in cosmetic products due to its skin-caring, antioxidative, and antimicrobial properties. The aqueous solution that arises during steam distillation (CANNABIS SATIVA FLOWER/LEAF/STEM WATER) is also well-suited for skin and hair care, even when the flowers are not used (CANNABIS SATIVA LEAF/STEM WATER). The dried low-lying stem parts of the hemp plant can also be used in powdered form (CANNABIS SATIVA STEM POWDER) as a skin-caring component.

Flower, Leaf & Root Extracts for Intensive Skin Care

Care from the earth? There is also powerful power hidden in the roots of the hemp plant. The CANNABIS SATIVA ROOT EXTRACT obtained from them is antioxidative and effective against microorganisms. The small hemp seeds are fundamentally packed with benefits. Thanks to their high content of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, as well as vitamins and minerals, they are not only a valuable contribution to a healthy and high-quality diet but also pamper our skin. The extract obtained from the seeds (CANNABIS SATIVA SEED EXTRACT) nourishes the skin, just like the hemp seed oil pressed from them (CANNABIS SATIVA SEED OIL), making it soft and supple. Hemp seed oil is also well-suited for natural hair care. The residue from the oil pressing, known as "press cake" (CANNABIS SATIVA SEEDCAKE), as well as the finely ground powder from it (CANNABIS SATIVA SEED CAKE POWDER), can also be used in skin-caring cosmetic products. Its abrasive properties can support the removal of dead skin flakes as a peeling. Even the germinated seeds (CANNABIS SATIVA SPROUT) or the extract obtained from them (CANNABIS SATIVA SPROUT EXTRACT) are suitable as a nourishing addition for skin and hair and a protective antioxidant.
Now it gets "chemical": CANNABIS SATIVA SEED OIL DIMER DILINOLEYL ESTERS or CANNABIS SATIVA SEED OIL DIMER DILENOLEATE COPOLYMER is obtained through a transesterification of hemp seed oil and linoleyl alcohol. Here, the organic group of an ester is replaced by the organic group of an alcohol. They nourish and protect the skin and also act as binding, film-forming, and surface-modifying agents, meaning they can regulate the suppleness of the skin. CANNABISAMIDORPORYL DIMETHYLAMINE is an organic substance with antistatic and hair-caring effects. It can be used as an emulsifier and regulates the viscosity of cosmetic products. CANNABISAMIDORPORYL HYDROXYSULTAINE also has emulsifying and viscosity-regulating properties and additionally acts as a cleansing and skin-caring agent and promotes foaming.

Cosmetics with the Best from the Hemp Plant

It is therefore worthwhile to pay attention to CANNABIS SATIVA in all its diversity of valuable active substances in the ingredients of our cosmetic products. Let us make a visibly and tangibly good choice for our skin and our hair.

Sources:
CosIng - Cosmetics - GROWTH - European Commission (europa.eu)
Cannabinol as a Drug • Arznei-News
Giovanni Appendino 1, Simon Gibbons, Anna Giana, Alberto Pagani, Gianpaolo Grassi, Michael Stavri, Eileen Smith, M Mukhlesur Rahman: Antibacterial cannabinoids from Cannabis sativa: a structure-activity study; J Nat Prod. 2008 Aug; 71(8):1427-30. doi: 10.1021/np8002673. Epub 2008 Aug 6.

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