Cannabis is a highly versatile plant. Besides medical and recreational properties, it can offer multiple benefits, including skin cell repair, antibacterial effects, and even UV protection.
Understanding how hemp can help protect your skin from the sun is key to acting responsibly during hot summer months. Let’s take a closer look at using hemp for sun protection purposes.
Understanding Hemp as Sunscreen
A significant part of using hemp as sunscreen entails understanding its two key benefits: natural UV protection properties and nurturing effects. The oils derived from hemp seeds contain essential fatty acids that act as an effective sunblock. Not only do these oils help in filtering UV rays, but they also preserve your skin’s moisture which often gets stripped away in the sun.
Hemp oil is nourishing for the skin and rich in Vitamins A, C, and E. It creates an antioxidant effect which helps in cellular repair and slows down aging caused by sun-related damage.
While hemp sunscreen may not match the high SPF ratings of some chemical sunscreens, its efficiency lies in its broad-spectrum properties and dual action as a sunscreen and moisturizer.
However, it's crucial to remember that the SPF rating of hemp sunscreen varies from product to product and rarely exceeds 7, so you must be aware of the protection level you're getting.
Hemp vs Traditional Sunscreen
Chemical sunscreens contain synthetic compounds that, while they offer high SPF, can lead to skin irritation, inflammation, and even long-term damage. Some people develop allergic reactions that often ruin their vacation plans.
On the other hand, mineral sunscreens, being natural, are less likely to cause skin reactions. However, they tend to leave a white residue and do not absorb into the skin as well as hemp sunscreen does. Besides, hemp sunscreen offers long-term skin health benefits, thanks to its nourishing and moisturizing properties.
How to Use Hemp Sunscreen
Before applying hemp sunscreen, cleanse your skin thoroughly and use makeup and other moisturizing creams you usually take advantage of. The sunscreen always goes on last.
Apply a liberal amount to all exposed skin areas and wait at least 30 minutes before sun exposure to give it a chance to properly absorb into the skin. In terms of skin types, hemp sunscreen is quite versatile and works equally well for dry, normal, and oily skin.
Since hemp sunscreen provides limited protection, consider using it together with products that have a higher SPF. In most cases, you need at least an SPF 30 sunscreen to achieve the desired protection results.
Keep in mind that similar to other sunscreen types, the product made from hemp has to be reapplied every two hours because it loses its UV protection properties over time.
Benefits of Choosing Hemp Sunscreen
Hemp is a sustainable and eco-friendly crop that requires fewer resources and pesticides compared to conventional sunscreens. Hemp is also biodegradable, so it reduces the environmental impact of skincare products.
Meanwhile, hemp sunscreen supports ethical and responsible farming practices. Cannabis is often grown organically, avoiding harmful chemicals and promoting soil health.
By opting for hemp sunscreen, you can enjoy effective sun protection while supporting responsible farming practices and reducing the carbon footprint.
Using Hemp Sunscreen Responsibly
As a sunscreen product, hemp demonstrates its vast potential, offering natural, nourishing sun protection that is both kind to your skin and the planet. If you decide to use hemp sunscreen, keep in mind that it offers limited protection and should be complemented by other products even when the weather is cloudy.
At Kind Seed Co., we stay on top of the latest uses of hemp that involve improving your quality of life. Our seed selection is created specifically to suit your cannabis-growing needs.
