CBD Oil vs. Hemp Seed Oil: What's The Difference & Why It Matters

CBD, short for cannabidiol, is one of the main compounds found in the cannabis plant family, which includes both marijuana and hemp.

While CBD is one of the most well-known of these compounds, called cannabinoids, there are over 80 cannabinoids1 in the cannabis plant, each with its own benefits.* 

CBD can be purchased in two ways. One, as an isolated product called CBD oil, which means all of the other cannabinoids have been filtered out and only CBD remains. Two, in hemp oil extract, which contains high concentrations of CBD as well as the other beneficial cannabinoids and terpenes (aromatic essential oils).* 

Both isolated CBD oil and hemp oil contain less than 0.3% THC, the psychoactive cannabinoid, and will not get you high—they are also fully legal in all 50 states.

Hemp seed oil is different from whole hemp extract oil. It comes from the pressed seeds of the hemp plant and is used for cooking, skin care, and other purposes. It is sometimes referred to as "cannabis seed oil" or "Cannabis sativa seed oil." 

"Hemp seed oil is a nutty-tasting oil that contains both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids," Frances Largeman-Roth, RDN, a nutrition and wellness expert and author of Eating in Color, explains. She suggests using it in salad dressing, dips, and smoothies. 

"It's a healthy ingredient that provides beneficial fats and is made sustainably," but, she points out, "culinary hemp oil does not contain CBD."

Hemp seed oil comes from the seeds of the hemp plant, while hemp oil and CBD oil come from the stalk or flower, which are known to be high in cannabinoid content. This means that hemp seed oil won't have the same properties as hemp oil or CBD oil. 

As Rountree puts it, "Hemp seed or hemp seed oil is really good for your skin. But it's not good if you're using it as a source of CBD." Objectively, hemp seed oil is a healthy ingredient; it's just not hemp oil or CBD oil.