The beauty and cosmetics industry has long embraced natural oils, and hemp seed oil has steadily joined the ranks of trusted botanical ingredients. Yet, despite its growing presence, hemp seed lip balms still face lingering hesitation from certain brands and retailers—mainly due to continued confusion surrounding cannabis terminology and evolving marketing regulations.

From a regulatory standpoint, hemp seed oil has a clear pathway in cosmetic formulation. In the United States, cosmetics—including lip balms—do not require pre-market FDA approval as long as they are safe for consumer use and accurately labeled. This makes hemp seed oil no different from other plant-based emollients like jojoba or sunflower oil. Across Europe, it’s even more defined, with Cannabis sativa seed oil listed as a recognized cosmetic ingredient in the EU’s CosIng database, giving manufacturers confidence in its compliance.

Industry experts have also made an important distinction between hemp seed oil and CBD. Hemp seed oil, which is cold-pressed from the seeds of the hemp plant, contains little to no cannabinoids such as THC or CBD. This separation has helped large-scale beauty manufacturers treat hemp seed oil as a conventional moisturizer rather than a regulated substance. As a result, it’s now common to see hemp seed oil listed on the ingredient labels of lip care products sold by established brands like Burt’s Bees and eos, which have achieved mainstream retail success.

However, some hesitation persists in parts of the industry for two main reasons.

1. Consumer confusion around CBD:

Despite the clear chemical differences, many consumers still associate “hemp” with “CBD.” This overlap often forces retailers to set stricter policies on any hemp-related products. Major beauty chains have established their own testing and labeling standards for CBD products, and even though hemp seed oil doesn’t fall under those requirements, it often gets caught in the same web of caution. Additionally, ongoing regulatory discussions about CBD’s status in consumer goods have made retailers more careful about any product linked to cannabis in name or branding.

2. Marketing claim restrictions:

Cosmetic brands must adhere to clear boundaries when describing their products. Claims about hydration, softness, and protection are allowed, but any promises that suggest healing, treatment, or therapeutic effects cross into drug territory and risk enforcement. Hemp seed lip balms fit comfortably within cosmetic definitions, but the need for cautious language has led some companies to understate the ingredient’s benefits to stay compliant.

That said, hemp seed oil’s reputation continues to improve. The ingredient’s safety profile has been validated by industry reviewers, and it is widely recognized as a non-intoxicating, nutrient-rich oil high in omega fatty acids. Even the FDA’s prior recognition of hemp seed-derived ingredients as safe in food products has indirectly boosted confidence across beauty and wellness categories.

In Summary

Hemp seed lip balms have achieved broad acceptance across the beauty industry. The resistance that remains has less to do with the oil’s safety or efficacy, and more with branding confusion and regulatory caution around cannabis-related terminology. Brands that focus on transparent labeling, compliant messaging, and ingredient education are finding that hemp seed oil not only belongs in mainstream lip care—it enhances it.