CBD Cream vs. Hemp Cream – the Difference Simply Explained

The difference between CBD cream vs hemp cream lies in the part of the plant used: hemp cream contains cold-pressed hemp seed oil from the seeds of the hemp plant, while CBD cream also contains a cannabidiol extract from flowers and leaves. Both come from the same plant but differ in ingredients, labelling and price.

If you buy CBD Cosmetics, you usually face exactly this question. The terms hemp cream, hemp salve, CBD salve and cannabidiol cream are often mixed up in shops – and not every “hemp cream” actually contains CBD. This article puts both product groups into objective context.

The difference at a glance

What is hemp cream?

Hemp cream – often also called hemp salve – is based on hemp seed oil. This oil is cold-pressed from the seeds of the hemp plant and naturally contains no cannabidiol. What it does contain are polyunsaturated fatty acids: linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid in a favourable ratio, plus gamma-linolenic acid and vitamin E.

In cosmetic terms, hemp seed oil is therefore a classic care oil. It absorbs comparatively quickly, does not leave a heavy film and is therefore often used in body lotions and face creams. On the packaging, you can recognise it by the INCI name Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil.

Important for the comparison: the difference between seed oil and extract is the same one that separates hemp oil from CBD oil. Once you have understood this, you will immediately recognise questionable product descriptions.

What is CBD cream?

In addition to the carrier, a CBD cream contains a cannabidiol extract. This is obtained from flowers and leaves, usually by CO₂ extraction. The INCI list then states Cannabidiol or an extract name such as Cannabis Sativa Leaf Extract – not Seed Oil.

For cosmetics, the CBD content is sensibly stated in milligrams per jar, not as a percentage. How percentages for CBD should be read in the first place is explained in the article on the meaning of the percentage for CBD. Whether the extract is used as full spectrum, broad spectrum or isolate also makes a difference – the three variants are compared in the article on full spectrum, broad spectrum and isolate.

In Switzerland, CBD cream is a cosmetic product for external use. It is not a medicinal product and is not sold as one.

CBD cream vs hemp cream in direct comparison

Which cream suits which situation?

The following overview describes what users typically use the two products for. It is not a recommendation for health complaints.

Further reading: what CBD actually does in cosmetics is described in the article on the effects of CBD cosmetics. On individual skin topics, there is also the guide CBD and skin problems and the article on CBD cream and acne.

How to recognise a high-quality cream

With hemp cosmetics, it is not the name on the tube that matters but the labelling. Five points are worth checking before you buy:

● Complete INCI list – if it only says Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil, it contains no CBD, no matter what the front says.

● CBD content in milligrams per jar, not a vague “with CBD”.

● Lab analysis of the extract used, ideally with a batch number.

● Origin of the hemp – Swiss cultivation, ideally with organic certification.

● Packaging: dark glass or an opaque jar, as cannabidiol is sensitive to light.

The warning signs that point to weak products are summarised in the article on inferior CBD products. What certified natural cosmetics from Swiss production look like is shown in the article on organic CBD cosmetics from Zurich.

Application: how to apply the cream

The same procedure applies to both products. Clean and dry the skin, take a small amount with clean fingers and massage it in with circular movements until it is absorbed. Avoid the eye area. When using a new product for the first time, a patch test in the crook of the arm is recommended.

If you want to combine the application with a massage, you will find simple instructions in the article Making your own CBD massage oil. CBD oil is often used as an alternative to external application.

Legal classification in Switzerland

In Switzerland, CBD cream and hemp cream are cosmetic products. They are subject to the Foodstuffs and Utility Articles Ordinance and the Ordinance on Cosmetic Products. This means that a cosmetic product may be advertised for care, but not for the treatment of diseases. As soon as a product promises a healing effect, it falls under the Therapeutic Products Act and would require authorisation.

The Swiss THC limit of one percent also applies to the hemp content. The article CBD legal in Switzerland summarises the legal framework for CBD as a whole.

This article is for information purposes and does not replace medical advice. For persistent skin changes, a dermatological examination is the right course of action.

Frequently asked questions about CBD cream and hemp cream

What is the difference between CBD cream and hemp cream?

Hemp cream contains hemp seed oil from the seeds of the plant and practically no cannabidiol. CBD cream also contains a cannabidiol extract from flowers and leaves. The difference is shown in the INCI list: Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil versus Cannabidiol or Leaf Extract.

Is hemp cream the same as CBD salve?

No. The terms are often used synonymously in shops, but refer to different products. A CBD salve contains declared cannabidiol, a pure hemp cream does not. A look at the ingredients provides clarity.

Does CBD cream contain THC?

CBD cosmetics approved in Switzerland are below the THC limit of one percent. In finished creams, the proportion is so low that it is usually not detectable. Broad spectrum and isolate extracts are practically THC-free.

Does CBD cream get you high?

No. Cannabidiol is not psychoactive in the sense of an intoxicating effect, and cosmetics applied externally hardly reach the bloodstream anyway.

How much CBD should a cream contain?

Common cosmetic products range between 100 and 500 milligrams per 50 millilitres. What matters is that the content is stated in milligrams at all – products without a specific figure cannot be compared.

Is CBD cream legal in Switzerland?

Yes. CBD cosmetics can be sold freely as utility articles as long as the THC content is below one percent and no healing claims are made.

You can find our creams, salves and body lotions in the CBD Cosmetics category. The CBD Shop gives you an overview of the entire range, and you can get personal advice in our CBD store in Zurich-Wipkingen.