Hemp oil and CBD oil sound similar, come from the same plant, and are often marketed side by side. No wonder so many people confuse them. But the truth is, these two oils are completely different—both in how they’re made and what they actually do.
Hemp oil is a nutritional oil made from hemp seeds. It contains healthy fats, vitamins, and antioxidants, but no CBD or THC. CBD oil, on the other hand, is a wellness extract made from hemp flowers and leaves. It contains CBD and other cannabinoids that interact with your body’s endocannabinoid system.
Knowing the difference helps you avoid buying the wrong product—especially since many brands use similar packaging and vague labels.
In this guide, we break down exactly how hemp oil and CBD oil differ, what each one is used for, and how to choose the right one for your needs.
What Is Hemp Oil?
Hemp oil—often called hemp seed oil—is a nutritional oil made by cold-pressing the seeds of the hemp plant. These seeds contain zero cannabinoids, which means hemp oil does not include CBD, THC, or any other active compounds found in hemp extracts.
Instead, hemp oil is rich in essential nutrients such as:
Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
Vitamin E
Antioxidants
Healthy plant oils
Because it’s nutrient-dense and has a mild, nutty flavor, hemp oil is commonly used in:
Cooking
Smoothies
Salad dressings
Skincare products
Hair oils and serums
Hemp oil is a food and skincare ingredient, not a wellness extract. It does not provide the calming, balancing, or ECS-supporting effects associated with CBD oil.
How Is Hemp Oil Made?
Hemp oil (hemp seed oil) is made using a simple, natural process that preserves the nutrients found in hemp seeds. It starts with cleaning and selecting mature hemp seeds, which naturally contain zero cannabinoids.
The seeds are then fed into a cold-press machine, where mechanical pressure extracts the oil without heat or chemicals. This cold-press method protects the delicate omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that make hemp oil nutritionally valuable.
After pressing, the oil is lightly filtered to remove seed particles. Some brands bottle it as unrefined hemp oil, which has a deep green color and a nutty flavor, while others refine it for a lighter taste and clearer appearance, often used in skincare.
The final product is a clean, nutrient-rich oil suitable for cooking and topical use — but it contains no CBD or THC, making it completely different from cannabinoid-rich CBD oil.
What Is CBD Oil?
CBD oil is a hemp extract made from the flowers, leaves, and stems of the hemp plant, where cannabinoids naturally occur. Unlike hemp seed oil, CBD oil contains cannabidiol (CBD) along with other beneficial plant compounds.
CBD oil may include:
CBD (the main active cannabinoid)
Minor cannabinoids like CBG and CBN
Terpenes
Flavonoids
Trace, legal amounts of hemp-derived Delta-9 THC (in full-spectrum products)
These compounds work together to support your body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS)—the system that helps regulate mood, stress, sleep, and overall balance.
CBD oil is commonly used for:
Calming and relaxation
Stress support
Mood balance
Sleep improvement
General wellness
Unlike hemp seed oil, CBD oil delivers actual effects because of its cannabinoid content. The strength of CBD oil varies widely based on extract type (full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or isolate) and total milligrams of CBD per bottle.
How Is CBD Oil Made?
CBD oil is made through a more advanced process that focuses on extracting cannabinoids from the hemp plant. Everything starts with harvesting the hemp flowers, leaves, and stems, which naturally contain CBD, minor cannabinoids, and aromatic terpenes. These plant parts are dried and prepared for extraction.
Most reputable brands use CO₂ extraction, a clean and efficient method that pulls cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant without leaving behind harmful solvents.
Other brands may use ethanol extraction, which is also effective when done correctly. Both methods separate a thick, cannabinoid-rich concentrate from the plant material.
This concentrate is then purified and blended with a carrier oil—usually MCT oil or hemp seed oil—to create a stable, easy-to-dose CBD oil. At this stage, manufacturers determine whether the final product will be:
Full-spectrum CBD (CBD + other cannabinoids + trace Delta-9 THC)
Broad-spectrum CBD (CBD + cannabinoids, 0% THC)
CBD isolate (pure CBD only)
Once blended, the final product undergoes third-party lab testing to verify its cannabinoid profile, purity, and safety. Only after passing these checks is the CBD oil bottled and labeled for consumer use.
Differences Between Hemp Oil and CBD Oil
Hemp oil and CBD oil come from the same plant, but they serve completely different purposes. Their sources, benefits, chemical makeup, and effects differ.
Here’s a simple breakdown of how they differ.
Composition: Nutrition vs. Cannabinoids
Hemp oil is extracted from hemp seeds, which means it is rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, vitamin E, antioxidants, and minerals—but contains little to no cannabinoids, including CBD or THC.
Because seeds do not produce cannabinoids, hemp oil is a nutritional oil, not a wellness extract.
CBD oil is completely different. It is extracted from the flowers, leaves, and stalks of the hemp plant, where cannabinoids naturally occur. CBD oil is formulated to deliver cannabidiol (CBD) and sometimes other cannabinoids, such as CBG, CBN, or CBC.
These compounds interact with your endocannabinoid system (ECS), influencing balance, mood, sleep, and overall well-being.
Hemp oil feeds the body. CBD oil supports the ECS.
Therapeutic Benefits: General Wellness vs. Targeted Effects
Hemp oil’s benefits come from its nutrient profile. Healthy fats may support heart health, nourish the skin, and contribute to overall nutritional balance.
But hemp oil does not offer targeted therapeutic effects, since it contains no CBD or measurable cannabinoids.
CBD oil, however, is widely used for its potential calming and balancing effects. Many users take CBD oil for everyday stress relief, improved sleep readiness, mood support, or general relaxation.
While individual results vary, CBD oil offers benefits that hemp oil simply cannot provide because of its interaction with the ECS.
Legal Considerations
Both hemp oil and hemp-derived CBD oil are federally legal in the United States, as long as the hemp extract contains no more than 0.3% Delta-9 THC by dry weight.
However, a few states place restrictions on full-spectrum CBD oil due to its trace THC content. Hemp seed oil, since it contains no cannabinoids, faces almost no legal restrictions and is widely accepted everywhere.
Flavor and Aroma Differences
Hemp oil has a mild, nutty, earthy flavor, which makes it a popular choice in the kitchen. It complements salads, smoothies, sauces, and cooked dishes without overpowering the taste. Its aroma is subtle, similar to other plant-based oils.
CBD oil tastes very different. Because it includes hemp extracts, its natural flavor is often described as earthy, herbal, or grassy, which not everyone enjoys.
Many brands flavor their CBD oils with mint, citrus, berry, or vanilla to make them more palatable. Taste varies based on the extraction method and terpene content.
Availability and Product Variety
Hemp oil is widely available in grocery stores, supermarkets, health shops, and online retailers like Amazon. It comes mostly in two forms—refined and unrefined—and is sold similarly to other cooking oils.
CBD oil is also easy to find, but is sold more selectively because of cannabinoid regulations.
CBD oil comes in a wide range of potencies and extract types (full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, isolate), giving users more flexibility. You’ll also find CBD in forms like:
tinctures
capsules
gummies
softgels
topicals
drinks
The variety of CBD products is far greater than that of hemp seed oil.
Side Effects and Tolerability
Hemp oil is generally well-tolerated and rarely causes side effects. In some people, large amounts may cause mild digestive discomfort due to their fatty acid content.
CBD oil is also considered safe for most users. Some may experience mild effects such as dry mouth, drowsiness, or appetite changes—usually when using high doses or low-quality products.
With proper dosing and clean third-party-tested CBD, these issues are rare.
Types and Strength Variations
Hemp oil comes in one primary form—hemp seed oil—though the level of refinement can vary. Some brands market extremely high “mg” numbers (like 500,000 mg or 1,000,000 mg), but these numbers reflect oil volume, not CBD content.
Hemp oil does not contain CBD, regardless of how high the mg number appears to be.
CBD oil, by contrast, comes in three extract types:
Full-spectrum: CBD + other cannabinoids + trace legal THC
Broad-spectrum: CBD + other cannabinoids, 0% THC
Isolate: Pure CBD only
CBD oil potencies can range widely—from 100 mg to 10,000 mg per bottle, giving users complete flexibility over how much CBD they take.
Which One Should You Choose?
Choosing between hemp oil and CBD oil comes down to understanding what you want the product to do. Even though both come from the same plant, their uses are completely different — one is a nutritional oil, and the other is a wellness extract.
If you’re looking for general nutritional support, hemp oil is the better option. Its omega-rich profile makes it great for heart health, skin nourishment, and everyday dietary balance.
You can use it in the kitchen or as part of your skincare routine. It’s not meant to relax you, improve sleep, or support stress relief — but it’s an excellent nutritional supplement.
CBD oil is the right choice if your goal is wellness support, especially for calmness, balance, sleep readiness, or everyday stress. Because CBD interacts with your endocannabinoid system, it provides benefits that hemp seed oil cannot offer.
If you want something that actually influences how your body feels, responds, and unwinds, CBD oil is the more suitable option.
The important part is knowing that they are not interchangeable. Hemp oil cannot replace CBD oil when it comes to wellness effects, and CBD oil isn’t designed to serve as a cooking oil or dietary fat source.
FAQs
1. Can hemp oil provide the same calming effects as CBD oil?
No. Hemp oil is a nutritional oil. It does not offer the calming, balancing, or ECS-supporting effects associated with CBD oil.
2. Which oil is better for anxiety or stress?
CBD oil. Hemp oil does not influence stress or mood because it contains no CBD. If you want relaxation or daily calmness, CBD oil is the right choice.
3. Will hemp oil or CBD oil make you high?
Neither will make you high. Hemp oil has no cannabinoids. CBD oil may contain trace Delta-9 THC (within legal limits) but not enough to cause intoxication.
4. Which one is legal in the US?
Both are federally legal as long as they come from hemp. Some states place extra restrictions on full-spectrum CBD oil because it contains trace THC, but hemp seed oil has no legal restrictions anywhere.
5. Which one is stronger: hemp oil or CBD oil?
CBD oil is more effective for wellness because it contains active cannabinoids. Hemp oil offers nutritional benefits only.
6. Can I take hemp oil and CBD oil together?
Yes. Many people use hemp oil for cooking and CBD oil for wellness. They serve different purposes and do not interfere with each other.
Final Thoughts
Hemp oil and CBD oil may sound similar, but their uses couldn’t be more different. Once you understand how each one is made and what it actually does, choosing the right oil becomes easy.
If you want nutrition and healthy fats, hemp oil is the right choice. If you’re looking for relaxation, improved sleep, or everyday stress management, CBD oil is the better fit. Both products can play unique roles in your routine — as long as you know exactly what you’re buying and why.
With this guide, you can now shop confidently, avoid misleading labels, and select the oil that truly matches your needs.
Disclosure:
The information provided in this article is meant for general use only and may not always suit everyone’s individual needs. Your health and wellness are personal, so consult a medical professional for personalized advice before making decisions based on this content.
For more information, please read our Disclosure Policy.