When it comes to hemp and skincare, there are still a lot of misconceptions out in the market. But new skincare brand, Hemptuary, is here to spread the word of the amazing benefits of this wonder ingredient.
Developed by skincare industry veteran, Louise Clayton, Hemptuary is just over 12 months old and already receiving rave reviews from consumers about the efficacy, texture, colour and smell of its products.
To break down all the myths, we spoke to AFT Digital Marketing and Product Manager, Bruna Keller, about Hemptuary’s range, the benefits of using this ingredient in our skincare, and the difference between hemp and CBD oil.
Can you tell us a bit about Hemptuary and how it was founded?
Hemptuary was born in April last year after AFT’s Director of International Business, Louise Clayton, discovered the amazing benefits of hemp seed oil on the skin whilst evaluating the hemp plant as part of a larger Pharmaceutical project.
We identified a consumer need for a simple to understand, easy to use range based on top selling formats within the skincare industry worldwide.
Louise has over 20 years experience in the skincare industry, and has managed and led successful natural skincare brands, such as Trilogy.
What's the brand's beauty philosophy?
Creating our beautiful, hemp-based brand was driven by a simple philosophy – to harness the best of nature to nurture your skin.
By monitoring industry trends and researching the most remarkable ingredients nature has to offer, our team of skincare experts loves nothing better than creating simple, effective formulations that work, like Hemptuary.
The range uses hemp seed oil in its formulations. Can you talk us through what drew you to have this as your star ingredient?
It was important to use a strong efficacious foundation ingredient throughout the range, so we naturally focussed on organic hemp seed oil for its rich antioxidant properties that calms, hydrates and revitalises your skin. All three products have extremely high quantities of this super ingredient.
It was important to ensure we used organic hemp seed oil, as the organic properties deliver a high quotient of nutrients to the skin – green is good! In addition we infused all products with manuka oil known for its natural healing properties.
What are the main benefits of using skincare made with hemp?
Cannabis sativa oil (otherwise known as hemp seed oil) is a rich antioxidant that is gentle on the skin. This super moisturiser calms, hydrates, and revitalises your skin and is rich in vitamins A and E.
Hemp seed oil also contains omega 3 and 6, which encourages skin health by reducing fine lines and wrinkles whilst preventing the signs of ageing.
What is your hero product, and why should media be across it?
Our hero is our Face & Body Oil - this lightweight oil infused with hemp and manuka oil is rich in essential fatty acids to boost your skin. Sea buckthorn gently calms and soothes skin, while avocado oil deeply nourishes.
The packaging is 99 per cent recyclable and we love animals – all our products are cruelty-free, and this beauty is vegan-friendly.
What are the key differences between hemp oil and CBD oil?
Hemp oil contains omega 3 and 6 and fatty acids; CBD oil contains mostly CBD. The CBD content in hemp seed oil is little to none, and it doesn't contain THC (which gives the psychedelic effect).
Hemp seed oil potential benefits: it's a source of plant-based protein, reduces inflammation, reduces the severity of skin conditions, it's anti-bacterial and helps to clear up acne-prone skin. It's extracted only from hemp seeds.
What are the main misconceptions you find people have around hemp as an ingredient?
Consumers can get confused about hemp seed oil, cbd oil and the drug marijuana. They all come from the same plant, but it's extracted differently.
The main difference between hemp seed oil vs CBD oil, is that hemp seed oil has little to no CBD content and doesn't contain THC (which gives the psychedelic effect).
Hemp Oil is made by cold-pressing the hemp seeds into omega-rich skincare. CBD oil is made by extracting the compound CBD from the leaves, flowers and stalks of a hemp plant.
What do you wish consumers knew about skincare with hemp oil?
We want to educate consumers about this beautiful plant and its properties. The hemp plant has being widely used from ancient times to make rope, textiles, clothing, shoes, food, paper, bio-plastics, building materials, and fuel.
We want to bring the essence of this plant into our skincare. By cold-pressing the seed, we obtain a rich and natural oil that does great things for our skin, from nourishment to soothing sore muscles and tired skin. We want to demystify common conceptions. Hemp seed oil is good, will not cause any harm to anyone, and comes 100% from nature.
The brand also has its '4 practices for good' - can you take us through these and why they were important for the brand's values?
While Hemptuary is focused on delivering benefits to the skin, we’re also passionate about delivering benefits to the earth’s skin: our environment. Responsibility and sustainability are at the heart of our brand – or as we call it, our 4 Practices for Good:
Good ethics - We expect and support ethical practices from our suppliers of seed oils, extracts and other natural ingredients.
Good packaging - Our packaging is minimal and 98% recyclable.
Good testing - We’re absolutely, resolutely against animal testing. All of our products are tested on humans (and they loved them!).
Only good ingredients - Our skincare products are made from only natural ingredients, with no GMO, parabens, silicone, sulphates, or harsh chemicals. Where possible, our ingredients are organic (like our organic hemp seed oil).
What's coming up next for Hemptuary?
This is very exciting for us! We have developed an organic hemp conditioning lip balm and a hemp soap for everyday use. Both products will be available in both NZ and Australia this year.
To view the Hemptuary product range and to download hi-res images, click here.