Is Hemp Oil the Same as CBD Oil? The Key Differences
Is Hemp Oil the Same as CBD Oil? The Key Differences
Hemp oil and CBD oil sound alike but they’re different products. Here’s what each one is, how to read the label, and which to buy for what you want.
Is hemp oil the same as CBD oil?
No. “Hemp oil” usually means hemp seed oil, pressed from seeds, which contains little or no CBD. It’s a nutritional oil for cooking and skincare.
CBD oil is made from an extract of hemp flowers and leaves and states a CBD amount on the label. If a bottle doesn’t list CBD in mg, it probably isn’t a CBD product.
If you’ve bought a cheap bottle of “hemp oil” online expecting CBD, you might have been disappointed. That’s because hemp seed oil and CBD oil are different products. They come from different parts of the plant, contain different compounds, and are used for different things. This guide explains the difference and how to read a label so you know what you’re buying.
Is hemp oil the same as CBD oil?
No. “Hemp oil” usually means hemp seed oil, which is pressed from hemp seeds and contains little or no CBD. CBD oil is made from an extract of the hemp plant’s flowers and leaves, which contain cannabidiol, blended into a carrier oil.
| Hemp seed oil | CBD oil | |
|---|---|---|
| Made from | Hemp seeds | Extract from hemp flowers and leaves |
| CBD content | None or only traces | A stated amount of CBD |
| Main use | Cooking, nutrition, skincare | CBD food supplement |
| Label shows CBD in mg? | No | Yes |
| UK regulation | Ordinary food oil | Novel food — subject to FSA rules |
What hemp seed oil is
Hemp seed oil is a nutritional oil, similar to other seed oils. It contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and is used in salad dressings, smoothies and skincare. Its benefits are nutritional — it isn’t a source of CBD.
What CBD oil is
CBD oil starts with an extract taken from the cannabinoid-rich parts of the hemp plant, usually using CO2 or ethanol. That extract is blended with a carrier oil such as MCT oil, olive oil — or sometimes hemp seed oil.
That last point causes confusion: a genuine CBD oil can list hemp seed oil as an ingredient because it’s the carrier. What matters is whether the label states a CBD amount, such as 500mg or 1000mg.
How to tell them apart: a label checklist
| On the label | What it means |
|---|---|
| “CBD” or “cannabidiol” with an amount in mg | Good sign — a CBD product |
| CBD per serving or per drop | Good sign — easy to measure |
| Batch number and lab testing | Good sign |
| Only “hemp oil” or “10,000mg hemp extract” with no CBD figure | Warning — may be seed oil |
| Talks only about omegas and nutrition | Hemp seed oil, not CBD |
| Price that seems too good to be true | Warning |
Big “mg” numbers on hemp oil listings often refer to the amount of hemp seed oil or extract — not the CBD content.
CBD Oral Drops
Full Spectrum CBD OilWhy some people think “CBD doesn’t work”
Some people who say CBD did nothing for them were actually using hemp seed oil without realising it. If a bottle contains no meaningful CBD, it can’t tell you anything about how CBD suits you.
Which should you buy?
- Hemp seed oil if you want a nutritious cooking oil or skincare ingredient.
- CBD oil if you want a CBD food supplement — and then check the CBD per drop, stay within the Food Standards Agency’s 10mg-a-day guidance, and choose lab-tested products.
Comparing brands? See Holland & Barrett vs Haze CBD and our CBD oil dosage guide.
Keep reading: you may also find CBD Oil for Sleep UK, How Long Does CBD Take to Work? and Can You Overdose on CBD? useful; for a related topic, see What Are CBD Gummies?.
Key takeaways
- Hemp seed oil and CBD oil are different products.
- Hemp seed oil contains little or no CBD.
- A genuine CBD oil states the CBD amount in mg.
- Hemp seed oil can be the carrier in a real CBD oil.
- Big “mg” figures on hemp oil may not refer to CBD.
CBD is a food supplement, not a medicine. Nothing in this article is medical advice. CBD products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The Food Standards Agency advises healthy adults to take no more than 10mg of CBD a day. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, speak to a healthcare professional before using CBD.
Hemp oil vs CBD oil — frequently asked
Hemp seed oil contains little or no CBD. CBD is found in the flowers and leaves of the hemp plant, not the seeds.
It’s usually hemp seed oil, which is inexpensive to produce. Extracting CBD costs much more, so genuine CBD oils are typically pricier.
Yes. Hemp seed oil is sometimes used as the carrier for CBD extract. It’s still a CBD oil if the label states a CBD amount.
Usually the amount of hemp seed oil or extract in the bottle — not the CBD content. Look for CBD or cannabidiol in mg.
It’s a nutritious oil containing omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, like other seed oils. It isn’t a source of CBD.
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