What Is the Difference Between CBD Cream and Hemp Cream?

Jar of lime green CBD cream with a hemp leaf laying on top and the lid laying on the ground to the right.

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Learning about each cannabis product before you make a purchase can be confusing without the right assistance. In this article, we’ll discuss the differences between CBD cream and hemp cream. 

A few main differences between CBD cream and hemp cream include:

  • Hemp products come from the seeds of the cannabis plant, while CBD comes from the stalk, leaves, and flowers.
  • Hemp cream is used as a moisturizer and for treating different skin conditions.
  • CBD cream goes farther than skin-deep. It can treat other issues like muscle pain and arthritis.

      As the cannabis industry grows, so do the product options. There is a lot of commonly used lingo that the average customer is expected to use and understand in order to make a purchase, which can be confusing to those new to the world of cannabis. To bring clarity and comfort to the user experience, we’re going to break down the differences between these two common products, and explain the benefits, as well as other lingo you might need to keep in mind.

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      Is hemp cream the same as CBD cream?

      Both the hemp plant and the marijuana plant are in the same family. The primary difference is the percentage of THC present in one vs the other. THC is less common in hemp vs in marijuana. 

      Hemp and CBD come from different parts of the cannabis plant. To go further into detail, hemp products are derived from the seeds of the plant while CBD products are derived from the stalk, leaves, and flowers of the plant. Still, you might wonder, what is hemp?

      Well, industrial hemp comes from the Sativa strain of the cannabis plant that can actually be used for a number of things such as making clothes, textiles, printer ink, and other eclectic daily use items. If you notice that hemp is referred to as industrial hemp, that is what it means. 

      Hemp seed oil is another method by which hemp is derived and produced. Hemp seed oil is what makes hemp cream possible. Likewise, CBD oil is used to produce CBD cream. 

      If you notice literature on any CBD or hemp related website that refers to the creams in this manner – “hemp oil” or “CBD oil” – that generally means that the cream was made from hemp oil extraction or CBD oil extraction. 

      The confusion between the two products is common, but it is important to understand that they are very different. If you see sellers referring to CBD cream and hemp cream in terms of CBD oil and hemp seed oil, that is only because the product is originally made from those two items.

      Hemp cream vs CBD cream

      Hemp cream and CBD cream are made using similar methods but are used for different things. The topical use of these two products are both beneficial to your health, but for slightly different reasons. 

      One commonality that you might see across the board is certain lingo that can pertain to both. For example, the phrases, “full spectrum” or “broad spectrum” or “isolate”, are ways to describe how pure the product is or the likelihood of it containing other parts of the cannabis plant. 

      For example, if you see a hemp cream that is made from broad spectrum hemp oil extract, that means that it contains a few other parts of the cannabis plant, rather than being made from pure hemp oil extract.

      One common misconception about both hemp cream and CBD cream is that they contain a psychoactive component. On the contrary, neither hemp cream nor CBD cream contain psychoactive components. THC is the component in this family that causes psychoactivity such as potential increased anxiety, delusions, or hyper awareness. Hemp cream contains no THC, and CBD cream might contain small traces of THC at most.

      Another common misconception is that hemp cream and CBD cream are essentially the same product. They are not. In addition to the differences in how they are derived, as previously mentioned, you might best understand the differences between hemp cream and CBD cream when looking at what they are used for.

      Hemp Cream:

      • Can act as a moisturizer
      • Can aid inflamed skin
      • Relief for very dry skin
      • Anti-aging help
      • Can also help with dry skin and conditions such as eczema and psoriasis 

      CBD Cream:

      • Capable of treating issues beyond the skin
      • Can help with joint pain, arthritis pain, inflamed muscles
      • Can also help with dry skin and conditions such as eczema and psoriasis 
      • Can relieve redness and acne
      • Can potentially help heal bruises
      • In conjunction with these benefits, CBD cream has the same benefits on the skin that hemp cream has, such as anti-aging, moisturizing, and helping with inflamed or dry skin
      Mans hand reaching into a jar of 1:3 CBD to THC relief cream.

      Does Hemp Cream have CBD in it?

      That slight detail in which each product is derived is what differentiates CBD from hemp. Since one comes from the stalk and the leaves of the cannabis plant, and the other comes from the seeds, they come from different areas of the plant for different reasons. 

      With that information, you can understand why hemp cream does not contain CBD. They are different entities, and while some brands will misadvertised hemp cream as CBD cream or vice versa, they are different products with different ingredients and different usage. If a hemp cream does advertise that it contains CBD, it is not a pure hemp seed oil extracted cream. 

      Skincare can be tough, especially if you have sensitive skin. When trying a new product, especially a product like hemp cream or CBD cream, you should take it slowly. Ease your skin into this new product so that you can monitor the results properly. While hemp cream and CBD cream are both usually safe for sensitive skin, it is best to take precaution when trying something new.

      To ensure that you are getting the best product in either case, check that the company you are purchasing from is enlisting the assistance of a third party lab. 

      Because the cannabis industry is under regulated, many cannabis-related companies will bring in a third party lab to provide an unbiased analysis of the practices and products a company produces, and will approve the methods and results of said company if they are in good standing. 

      At the moment, this is the best way that the cannabis industry can practice checks and balances on its products, in addition to the reviews that customers write and the assessments made by fellow professionals.

      What is hemp cream good for?

      Hemp cream, like many moisturizers, is really good for hydrating the skin and helping with anti-aging efforts, and relief for super dry skin. It can help repair the skin in a natural way that leaves you feeling fresh and rejuvenated. 

      Likewise, certain hemp creams can be good for eczema, psoriasis, and can act as an anti-inflammatory for irritated skin. It is certainly a step up from your average moisturizer, and can act as a significant healer for a lot of common skincare issues. 

      As previously mentioned, hemp has a lot of benefits outside of skincare. When referred to as “industrial hemp”, that means that it is used for other manufacturing purposes. That said, hemp has made a splash in the skincare world for its healing properties. 

      In some cases, hemp cream can also be helpful for pain relief. When looking for a hemp cream that works for you, make sure to check that the company uses all natural practices, and is transparent about the active ingredients in the product.

      Hemp cream is quite safe and is usually okay to use on a daily basis, although you should follow the directions the company suggests.

      What is CBD cream good for?

      Many people are familiar with the benefits of CBD as it comes in smoking form, and edible form, but it seems to be that topical forms of CBD are less commonly known. In the similar ways that CBD can help with relaxation when consumed orally, CBD that is applied topically can soothe the skin. 

      In addition to assisting with common skincare conditions such as eczema and psoriasis that hemp cream can also help diminish, CBD cream can be used for a wide range of physical pain and difficulties.

      For example, CBD cream can help ease the pain that comes from arthritis. It’s relaxing component helps with the joint pain that arthritis causes.

      Likewise, CBD cream can help with intense jaw pain such as for those who experience TMJ. Joint pain and muscle relaxant are a few ways that CBD cream can make an impact on your body.

      CBD cream can also help with temporary relief for things like acne, inflammation, itching, and scarring. 

      While all these positive effects are seen in many cases, it is still important to be weary of the way companies advertise CBD cream. For example, if a company is making extraneous claims about how CBD cream can be a complete and holistic healing option, beware. 

      While CBD cream can certainly help with treating many of these things, it is not necessarily capable of healing each and every problem. For example, CBD cream cannot heal arthritis. Likewise, CBD cream cannot heal TMJ. However, it can help ease the side effects of the physical difficulties listed above. 

      Generally speaking, CBD cream is safe to use every day, although it is important to denote the dosage and the directions outlined on the CBD product you purchase. Some products will have a higher dosage than others, in which case the effects of the CBD cream might be more intense. For the sake of your skin, follow the guidelines to ensure that you are taking safe measures.

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      Josh Murdoch

      I was born with Cystic Fibrosis, and although it is incurable, CBD and THC have been allowing me to live my life as a healthy adult now for years. For that reason, I’ve dedicated my career to spreading the good news about cannabinoids. Currently, I work for a cannabis distribution company called Humble & Fume which operates in California. Previously, I worked on two cannabis farms in northern California, one of which was located in the famous Humboldt County. I’ve also managed a medical cannabis delivery service in Marin County, California. I created CBD Facilitator to share what I’ve learned, and to recommend the best products that I have found in this chaotic market.

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      Our Mission

      Our goal is to educate you on all things CBD, enabling you to navigate this vast unregulated industry like a pro. We know all too well how overwhelming it can be to find trustworthy brands in this crowded market, so we’re here to help!

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      Our Favorite Brands

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