The Hemp Oil Hype: Why it’s ideal for cosmetics, nutricosmetics & health food applications

Hemp oil as an ingredient in health and beauty has surged over the past few years – and its popularity is not slowing down.??

According to Market Data Forecast, the CBD and hemp-infused beauty product category is estimated to reach $1.253.51mn by 2026, with a CAGR of 37.3%(1). Due to its excellent health benefits, CBD and hemp oil has fast become a hit with global consumers. In 2019, it was estimated that somewhere between 8 and 11% of the UK population had used CBD or hemp-based products(2), this has since increased to 20% of UK adults in 2022(4). While in the US, approximately 60% of adult consumers have tried it before(4) and in India, cannabis and marijuana has gained a ‘positive image’, according to insight from GlobalData’s 2021 consumer survey(5).??

However, this sudden uptake in hemp-based products is not all for show. As reported in the Forbes 2022 Health Survey, consumers often use CBD to reduce stress (62%), relieve pain (60%), improve sleep quality (58%), and alleviate anxiety (51%)(4). This is backed by recent data from Euromonitor which states that 15% of consumers treating stress or anxiety are following a special diet(6).??

With many consumers turning to their diet to reduce stress and feel good about themselves, it is no wonder CBD and hemp-infused products are one of the hottest trends in health and beauty today.??

What is hemp oil???

Hemp oil is obtained by gently extracting the seeds through the art of cold pressing, which helps to preserve the entire nutritional composition of the seeds. Rich in omega 3 and omega 6, the oil can provide many health benefits to consumers, including protection of the skin cell membrane and prevention of cardiovascular or cognitive diseases(7). It is also rich in tocopherols – one of the best-known natural antioxidants. According to the tocopherol profile of hemp oil, vitamin E has no biological activity but an antioxidant activity instead.??

Food as medicine??

Consumers are now more concerned than ever regarding what they put into their bodies. Euromonitor research reports that as many as 62% of consumers want a healthy immune system(6). Health-boosting ingredients that can be incorporated into food and beverages to aid digestion and improve satiety are fast becoming the new industry norm.??

For example, innovation in the bakery aisle now incorporates hemp-fortified bread combined with flaxseed to provide a new ‘triple threat’ in health – protein, fibre, and omega 3 sources. In soft drinks, hemp is also increasingly on trend with manufacturers as they look for new flavours to stay ahead of the competitive curve.??

For the food and beverage industry, it is worth noting that the European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA) has now set maximum levels of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta-9-THC) in hemp seeds and derivatives to 3.0mg/kg for dry products – such as flour, proteins, seeds, and snacks – and 7.5mg/kg for hemp seed oil. This is great news for manufacturers who can now abide by the new European market standards when creating products with hemp oil.?

Skincare and cosmeceuticals??

Alongside food and beverage, the cosmetic industry also widely incorporates hemp in its products due to the ingredient’s natural ability to act as both a hydrator and anti-inflammatory for skin. Great for moisturisation as a natural emollient, hemp oil leaves the skin feeling soft and supple.??

Often used in retinoids to soothe acneic or overly oily skin, hemp oil can be used in applications like moisturisers, lip balms, oils, and liquid soaps. Consumers love using the ingredient in the bath and shower too, with melts and salts being particularly popular.??

How Novastell can help?

Brands looking for an expert in hemp oil processing need look no further than Novastell. The hemp oil we extract is 100% French – from the seed to the oil. Our gentle extraction method is perfect for preserving the composition of the nutrients that are essential in better-for-you food and beverage products or for skin health.?

For more information on hemp oil or the science behind our processes, simply talk to our team of experts for advice on how to formulate the perfect skincare, or food and beverage product for your brand today!?

References:?

1. Market Data Forecast, Hemp Oil Market, January 2022: https://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/hemp-oil-market?

2. Centre for Medicinal Cannabis, CBD in the UK, June 2019?

3. The Grocer, Fifth of UK adults have used CBD or cannabis oil for health, says new research, June 2022 ?

4. Forbes, Forbes Health Survey 2022, April 2022?

5. New Food Magazine, Is hemp about to take off in India?, November 2021?

6. Euromonitor International, Consumer Health in 2022: Priorities, Opportunities and Concerns, July 2022?

7. Medical News Today, Hemp Oil Benefits, https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324450