While you may welcome the cooler temperatures of fall, it can also mean making some changes to your skincare routine. Even if you’re used to adjusting your routine every year to keep your skin healthy, it can’t hurt to explore new options. One option worth considering this fall is hemp oil. There’s some information out there about the potential health benefits of hemp oil, but have you seen what it can do for your skin? Let’s get into it!
Generally, cooler temperatures can narrow the blood vessels, which slows blood flow. When this happens, your skin may have trouble retaining its moisture. When combined with lower humidity, you may experience dry, itchy skin during the fall. That’s why some dermatologists recommend adopting a different skincare routine as temperatures drop.
Interestingly, one review suggests that dry skin isn’t the only thing you may need to worry about. When examining the literature on the effects of climate change, these reviewers considered how changing temperatures may affect the skin. The results suggested that cold and warm temperatures were associated with increased flares in existing skin conditions and more cases of atopic dermatitis, a skin condition characterized by inflammation and irritation.
This was only one review, though, so the results are far from definitive. Even so, it’s good to keep assessing if your skincare routine is still the best it can be.
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According to a recent literature review, Black skincare may need to differ from that of other ethnicities. Even when the researchers acknowledged that defining ‘Black’ as a categorical racial group can be difficult, they noted that there are differences in darker skin. Unfortunately, many of the publications they read focused on those with lighter skin.
Still, they noted that Black people are more likely to deal with skin issues such as acne, eczema, dyschromia (patchy areas of light and dark skin), and dermatophytosis (a fungal skin infection). The researchers also found that those with Black skin developed conditions that were specific to them. These included small black bumps along the face or neck, keloid skin, and ulcers related to sickle cell anemia. When dealing with illnesses such as lupus erythematosus, psoriasis, and vitiligo, Black people tended to exhibit different skin-related issues than those with lighter skin. Even with inflammatory skin disorders, Black people can show different symptoms than others.
Black people are also more likely to experience hyperpigmentation after inflammation has been dealt with. This is known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. In hyperpigmentation, areas of the skin that have experienced trauma, such as bruises, wounds, or inflammation, can produce more melanin. This results in these spots being darker than the surrounding areas.
Although more research is needed to determine why these differences occur and how Black skin may be affected by various factors, this certainly suggests that you may have more issues with inflammation than others. That’s why it’s important to pay special attention to your skin this fall.
Interest in hemp for its potential health benefits is growing, and researchers are exploring its possible antimicrobial, antibiotic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. When used topically, hemp oil may help moisturize dry skin by hydrating it and helping regulate your skin’s oil production. The latter benefit is good for people with dry skin, as sometimes the body produces too much oil in response to dryness.
If your skin is no longer producing excess oil, then you may not have as much trouble with acne. As noted previously, Black people have been shown to have a higher risk of developing acne.
Another way hemp oil may boost your fall skincare routine is through its anti-inflammatory properties. In a previous section, it was noted that cooler temperatures may increase the likelihood of inflamed skin. Given that Black people already have a higher risk of skin inflammation, it’s a good idea to implement measures that will help.
If you have skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis that are characterized by inflammation, adding moisturizing skincare products that can ease this issue may be helpful. Before you incorporate anything new, though, talk to your doctor. Research into the skin health benefits of hemp oil is new, so it’s still hard to say if it will interact negatively with any medications or topical treatments you typically use.
RELATED: Fall Skin Care: Dewey, Fresh & Blemish-Free
You may be wondering if it’s even legal for you to use hemp oil in the first place. The best thing to do is to check your state’s regulations on that. In November 2025, the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) was amended to narrow the definition of hemp. Put simply, Congress changed the federal definition of hemp so it is based on total THC, not just delta-9 THC. Starting November 12, 2026, hemp generally must contain no more than 0.3 percent total THC on a dry-weight basis, including THCA and other THC-like cannabinoids. Federal legislators, however, are debating whether to delay the new hemp rules, while some states have already altered their own hemp regulations.
When looking for manufacturers and distributors of hemp oil, look for a supplement facts label to see the breakdown of the ingredients and third-party quality testing. You can then use that information to compare with your local and federal regulations. It’s also important to note that hemp oil and cannabidiol (CBD) oil are different products. While some people may use the names interchangeably, this isn’t accurate or helpful.
Hemp oil is made from the seeds of the Cannabis sativa plant and doesn’t typically contain high levels of CBD, if any at all. CBD oil, on the other hand, is made from the stalks, leaves, and flowers of the same plant and usually contains CBD. There’s no set amount of CBD that those oils should contain, so the percentage can vary widely. The good news is that any product you intend to buy must clearly list the percentage of CBD.
Once you’re in the clear, you’ll be happy to know that hemp oil is easy to use. For your skincare routine, using the oil directly on your skin is the most recommended route. The first thing you can do is apply hemp oil to the irritated, inflamed, or dry area. If you’ve never used hemp oil before, it’s best to try it on a small area of your upper arm to check for a potential allergic reaction.
When doing this check, apply a small amount of pure hemp oil to the chosen spot and cover it with a bandage for 24 hours. You should take care not to get the bandage wet. After the allotted time has passed, remove the bandage to check for any redness, burning, itchiness, or irritation. Of course, if you start feeling discomfort before the 24-hour mark, you should remove the bandage and clean the area with soap and water. If you don’t have a reaction, the product may be safe for use. However, watch out for any signs of an allergic reaction in other areas, as the issue may not occur exactly where there was contact.
If you don’t have a reaction, apply the oil to the affected area as directed by the product instructions or your doctor. If you’d like to combine hemp oil with another soothing or anti-inflammatory oil, such as coconut oil, it’s best to do the allergy test with the combination of oils you intend to use. For those with sensitive skin or existing skin conditions, it’s best to talk to your doctor before making any changes to your skincare routine. The last thing you want to do is throw off your current medical regimen.
If you’ve noticed that the cooler temperatures of fall usually dry out your skin, then it’s a good idea to change your skincare routine to account for that. While various products can help, hemp oil may be worth a shot too. The research is still in the early stages, but the results so far are promising. Make sure to talk to your doctor before you try it, though, so you know how to identify if it’s affecting you adversely.
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