Why Hemp Plays Nicer with Skin Than Coconut, Jojoba, or Argan
Skincare loves a hero.
A buzzy oil. A miracle plant. Something new to obsess over.
Hemp seed oil rarely gets that role—and that’s exactly why we trust it.
While other oils cycle in and out of the spotlight, hemp seed oil has quietly stayed put in our formulations. Not because it’s trendy. Not because it photographs well. But because when skin is overwhelmed, reactive, or simply tired of being pushed around, hemp tends to cooperate where other oils don’t.
Let’s talk about why.
The Problem with “Hero Oils”
Most plant oils aren’t bad. But they’re also not interchangeable—and skin doesn’t respond well to one-size-fits-all solutions.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is highly occlusive and rich in lauric acid, a saturated fatty acid that creates a strong seal on the skin. That sealing power can help prevent moisture loss—but it can also work against the skin by trapping heat, oil, and debris underneath. For acne-prone or compromised skin, this often leads to congestion rather than calm.
Olive Oil
Olive oil is deeply nourishing and very high in oleic acid, a fatty acid that softens the outer layers of the skin. In healthy skin, that can feel comforting. But in already-stressed or sensitive skin, too much oleic acid can loosen the structure of the skin barrier, making it more permeable—and, over time, more reactive.
Argan Oil
Argan oil is prized for its antioxidant content and silky feel. Like olive oil, it leans toward oleic-acid dominance, which is why it feels so conditioning. While it can improve softness and elasticity, it doesn’t always provide enough linoleic acid, which is crucial for reinforcing a weakened skin barrier—especially in reactive skin types.
Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil is technically a wax ester, not a true oil, and its structure closely resembles human sebum. This makes it excellent for surface-level balance and lubrication. However, mimicking sebum doesn’t automatically translate to rebuilding the skin barrier—it supports the skin’s surface behavior more than its deeper structural repair.
Each of these oils can be beneficial in the right formulation and for the right skin type. The trouble begins when they’re treated as universal solutions—because skin biology is far more nuanced than skincare marketing tends to admit.
Where Hemp Seed Oil Is Different
Hemp seed oil behaves differently because its fatty acid profile is different.
It contains a near-ideal balance of omega-6 (linoleic acid) and omega-3 fatty acids, which closely mirrors what healthy skin needs to maintain its barrier. It also naturally contains gamma-linolenic acid (GLA)—a rare fatty acid that plays a role in calming stressed, reactive skin.
What does that mean in real life?
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It absorbs easily without sitting heavy on the skin
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It supports the skin barrier instead of overwhelming it
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It plays well with sensitive, acne-prone, or reactive skin
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It hydrates without clogging pores
In other words: it doesn’t try to take over. It supports what your skin is already trying to do.
A Closer Look at GLA: Why This Fatty Acid Matters
One of the most quietly powerful components of hemp seed oil is gamma-linolenic acid (GLA)—and it’s rare for a reason.
GLA is an omega-6 fatty acid, but it behaves very differently from the omega-6 fats most people are familiar with. In fact, most oils don’t contain GLA at all. Instead, the body is expected to make it.
Why GLA Is Rare
Most plant oils contain linoleic acid (LA). For LA to become GLA, the body must convert it using an enzyme called delta-6 desaturase.
That conversion process is fragile.
Stress, aging, inflammation, blood sugar imbalances, nutrient deficiencies, and certain medications can all slow or impair this enzyme. When that happens, the body may have plenty of omega-6 fats on hand—but still be functionally low in GLA, especially in tissues like the skin.
In other words: having the raw materials doesn’t guarantee the end result.
Very Few Oils Contain GLA Naturally
Only a small handful of plant oils contain pre-formed GLA, including:
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Hemp seed oil
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Evening primrose oil
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Borage oil
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Black currant seed oil
Many of these oils are unstable, heavy, or difficult to work with in everyday skincare formulations. Hemp seed oil is unique because it delivers GLA alongside a balanced omega-6 to omega-3 ratio, in an oil that is lightweight, stable, and well tolerated by a wide range of skin types.
Why GLA Behaves Differently
Omega-6 fats often get labeled as “inflammatory,” but that’s an oversimplification. GLA doesn’t act like typical omega-6 fatty acids.
In the skin, GLA plays a role in:
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Supporting a healthy skin barrier
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Regulating inflammatory signaling
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Maintaining flexibility and moisture balance
Rather than overstimulating the skin, GLA tends to help calm systems that are already under stress.
Why This Matters for Skin Health
Skin that is sensitive, reactive, or barrier-impaired often shows:
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Low linoleic acid levels
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Reduced ability to convert fatty acids efficiently
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Increased water loss and reactivity over time
Providing GLA directly, instead of relying on the body to convert it, can offer more consistent support—especially when applied topically as part of a balanced formulation.
This is one of the reasons hemp seed oil performs so well in long-term skincare. It doesn’t force results. It supports the skin’s underlying structure so it can function more resiliently on its own.
GLA is rare not because it’s exotic—but because the body has to work to make it, and often can’t keep up when skin is under stress.
Why Hemp Rarely Gets the Spotlight
Hemp seed oil doesn’t give instant drama.
It doesn’t create that slick, glossy finish.
It doesn’t smell exotic.
It doesn’t plump skin in 30 seconds for a before-and-after photo.
What it does is help skin behave better over time.
That makes it a terrible influencer oil—and a fantastic long-game ingredient.
Skin that’s been overtreated doesn’t need more stimulation.
It needs cooperation.
Why We Chose Hemp—and Kept It
When we were developing Gypsy Cream, we tested a wide range of plant oils. Some were popular. Some were expensive. Some came highly recommended.
Hemp seed oil stayed—not because it made bold promises, but because it consistently supported the skin barrier and worked across a wide range of skin types without causing issues.
That’s why you’ll find hemp seed oil throughout our line—from Gypsy Cream to Oil Change and Montana Mud Scrub. Not as a marketing headline, but as a foundational ingredient that earns its place.
We don’t use hemp because it’s trendy. We use it because it works.
The Takeaway
Hemp seed oil isn’t misunderstood because it’s ineffective.
It’s misunderstood because it doesn’t perform on command.
It doesn’t plump, tingle, or shout.
It supports. It steadies. It gives skin what it needs to function better over time.
For skin that’s sensitive, reactive, or worn down from doing too much, that kind of support matters more than instant drama.
It doesn’t demand attention.
It earns trust.
How to Use Hemp Seed Oil in Your Routine
Incorporating hemp seed oil into your skincare routine is easy! Here are a few ways to use it:
- As an exfoliant: Use our Montana Mud Scrub, packed with hemp seed oil and natural exfoliants, to slough off dead skin cells and reveal a radiant complexion.
- As a facial moisturizer: Apply a few drops directly onto damp skin after cleansing, or use our Gypsy Cream for deep hydration.
- As a cleanser: Our Oil Change cleansing oil gently removes dirt and makeup while nourishing the skin.
- Add it to your Age Rebelling Routine: Add a couple of pumps of Looking Sharp after applying Gypsy Cream for an extra antioxidant boost and to lock in hydration.
- As a makeup remover: Its lightweight consistency makes it great for gently dissolving makeup without stripping your skin.
Final Thoughts
Whether you have dry, oily, sensitive, or aging skin, hemp seed oil is a powerhouse ingredient that offers incredible benefits without the risk of irritation. Its natural ability to hydrate, soothe, and protect makes it a must-have in any skincare routine.
Ready to experience the benefits for yourself?
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