As a term “cannabis” is like an umbrella, under which both hemp and marijuana fall. They are two different varieties and used for different purposes. Short and simple:

1. Hemp -> CBD -> calming 

2. Marijuana -> THC ->  intoxicating

CBD (cannabidol), is a compound extracted from hemp and intoxicates the user just as much as walking in hemp shoes would — not at all. 

THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), is a compound extracted from marijuana and it gives the feeling of being high.

Looking more closely, both hemp and marijuana contain both CBD and THC — but in very different concentrations: hemp contains a lot of CBD and very little THC, while marijuana contains a lot of THC and little CBD. This means that when CBD is extracted from hemp, there may still be a small trace of THC present.

Depending on country, CBD used in consumer products is allowed to contain 0,2%-0,3% of THC. This varies in different market areas and in some countries the legislation is stricter — for example in the Netherlands it is 0,05%.

In our products, the THC content is either 0% or 0.01%, and this is verified by our raw material supplier located in Croatia. You can find the certification documents on our website. Additionally, every CBD batch is tested by the University of Turku to confirm the THC content in our products. You can also find the reports from the University of Turku on our website. 

When used internally, CBD helps calm the body and mind, aids concentration, reduces overstimulation, and eases pain.

In skincare, CBD is anti-inflammatory, soothing, balancing, helps regulate sebum production, and is especially beneficial for sensitive skin. Whether you use CBD internally or externally, one word sums it up best: calming. And that is also where the name Blank& (“blanket”) comes from.

Blank& produces cosmetic products, and we focus on skin well-being — soothing, moisturizing, and making your skin glow beautifully.

CBD has been approved as a safe, cosmetic ingredient since 2021, which is why you may not have encountered it in skincare products until recently. 

Read more about CBD in skincare on our website.

Hemp is one of the oldest cultivated plants, with numerous varieties. In Finland, both oil and fiber hemp are grown, and CBD can be extracted from both. However, industrial-scale CBD extraction is not yet taking place in Finland. We would be happy to use domestically produced CBD in our products if it were available, but for now, we source our CBD from Croatia, where we have found a highly reliable and high-quality raw material supplier. That said, large-scale CBD production could thrive in Finland, as the growing conditions here are ideal for hemp cultivation.

Hemp is a climate crop

Not only is our climate well-suited for hemp, but hemp also benefits the climate itself. It is seen as a promising solution in the fight against climate change: hemp improves soil health, requires no pesticides, and is an excellent carbon sink. In one year, hemp can sequester as much carbon as a 10-year-old forest — all without the need for chemical inputs. Around midsummer, hemp grows at its fastest, adding up to 10 centimeters in height per day!

As a crop, hemp is highly ecological and also one of the most versatile and sustainable sources of protein.

A complete source of protein: Hemp seeds contain all nine essential amino acids that the human body cannot produce on its own. The protein content is high, approximately 25–30%.

Rich in healthy fats: Hemp seeds are packed with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, particularly linoleic acid (LA) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which are important for heart and brain health. The ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 is ideal (around 3:1), which is optimal for preventing inflammation.

High in fiber and gluten-free: Whole hemp seeds contain a significant amount of both soluble and insoluble fiber, which supports gut health, stabilizes blood sugar, and helps manage cholesterol levels.

Packed with vitamins and minerals: Hemp contains vitamin E (an antioxidant), magnesium (for muscle and nerve function), phosphorus, iron, zinc, potassium, and B vitamins.

Highly versatile: Hemp seeds can be added to porridge, smoothies, or sprinkled on salads. Hemp seed flour can be used in baking or as a protein supplement. Hemp seed oil is perfect for salad dressings. Hemp protein powders and plant-based hemp drinks are also available.

Versatile, ecological, healthy — so what’s holding hemp back?

As a raw material in cosmetics and as a food ingredient, hemp is excellent — but it can be used for much more: textile fibers, building materials, paper, biocomposites, furniture, fiberglass, soil, growing mediums, fuel... As one headline puts it: “Hemp — the forgotten superplant that could revolutionize agriculture.”

So why hasn’t that revolution happened yet? Why isn’t hemp Finland’s next Nokia?

What’s slowing hemp’s rise to stardom are mostly outdated and skeptical perceptions. Hemp is often associated with intoxication, even though industrial hemp is non-intoxicating (i.e., it contains only trace amounts of THC). Legislation has long been restrictive, and while industrial hemp is now legal to cultivate in many countries (including Finland), it still involves licensing procedures, monitoring, and bureaucracy — all of which deter farmers. In addition, processing and refining hemp requires specialized equipment. Finland currently lacks the infrastructure needed for large-scale hemp processing, and logistics and value chains are not yet developed in the same way as they are for grains or oil crops.

Still, the future of hemp looks bright. As climate change, sustainability, and regenerative agriculture become increasingly important, interest in hemp continues to grow. Consumers are showing rising interest in hemp oil, hemp protein, hemp textiles, and biocomposites.

And what about cannabidiol (CBD)? In 2024, the CBD market in Europe reached approximately €2.11 billion (Statista), and by 2029, it's projected to grow to €2.23 billion. We have ideal growing conditions for this sustainable crop, and there’s already a ready and growing market in Europe — so what are we waiting for?

Read more on the European Comission´s website

Its antioxidant effects help aging skin look more youthful: cannabidiol makes skin appear healthier, more balanced, and more hydrated.

CBD is suitable for stressed, sensitive, and oily skin alike.

CBD helps with:

• calming irritated and stressed skin

• reducing itching and redness, e.g. after shaving

• repairing small skin damages

• balancing sebum production, which supports acne care

• fighting free radicals, thanks to its antioxidant properties — helping to preserve skin’s youthful appearance

Where does CBD come from?

CBD is extracted from hemp. It is non-psychoactive and does not cause intoxication. Hemp also grows in Finland, but the cannabidiol we use comes from Croatia, as Finland currently lacks the production infrastructure required for CBD oil.

Cannabidiol is an official cosmetic ingredient and is listed in the EU’s Cosing cosmetics database.

Is CBD the same as hemp seed oil?

No. While hemp seed oil is an excellent moisturizer, it does not contain the active compounds of CBD, nor does it have the same versatile benefits.

How can you tell CBD oil and hemp seed oil apart?

Products with CBD oil are usually more expensive than those containing only hemp seed oil. On the INCI list, CBD appears as “Cannabidiol - derived from extract or tincture or resin of cannabis” or simply “Cannabidiol.” Hemp seed oil is listed as Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil.

How do I use CBD cosmetics?

Just like any other cosmetic products: Our face oils are easily applied with fingertips. Amio is designed to awaken skin and mind in the morning, while Evie is a soothing evening ritual.

Veya is a face mist used like a toner and/or as a setting spray.

Neo is a targeted booster: apply directly on itchy, irritated, or dry skin, or mix a few drops into your usual cream.

Etna is both a lubricant and a care for your vulva, applied directly to mucous membranes.

Glisa is a natural lubricant especially designed for anal sex.

Pro tip: Blank&’s popular CBD lubricants Etna and Glisa not only increase pleasure but also reduce skin friction. Apply a little to rubbing heels or chafing thighs — your skin (and feet) will thank you!

Can CBD show up in a drug test?

CBD can be used internally or externally. In cosmetics, there’s absolutely no risk of it appearing in a drug test.

Our products are cosmetics, and their use cannot show up in tests since they contain no intoxicants. The THC content is either 0% or 0.01% (the EU legal maximum is 0.2%). Drug tests only detect THC, not CBD.

And to be clear: drug tests only look for THC. CBD itself never shows up. The only time to be mindful is with ingestible CBD products, where THC levels may vary.

Can CBD products be stopped at customs if I travel with them?

Outside Europe, this depends on the country you’re traveling to, as legislation varies. Within Europe, there is no risk — you can safely bring CBD cosmetics with you.

Is CBD safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding?

Using CBD cosmetics is safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Ingestible CBD products are, for now, recommended to be avoided out of caution — though no health risks have been identified.

Can I use Blank& products on children’s skin?

Yes - CBD cosmetics can be safely applied to the whole family’s skin. However, keep in mind that Amio and Evie contain high concentrations of active ingredients that children’s skin simply doesn’t need.

Can CBD be harmful?

It’s important to note that when people talk about “CBD use,” they often mean ingesting cannabidiol. Blank& is a cosmetics brand, and our products are for external use, which makes safety concerns unnecessary. CBD is an EU-approved cosmetic ingredient and is not harmful.

For internal use, CBD is also considered safe for healthy adults. Even if someone drank a whole bottle of CBD oil, the worst effect would likely be stomach discomfort or nausea (as with consuming too much of any oil). Around the world, many use CBD drops under the tongue for sleep, focus, PMS relief, or joint pain — but in Finland, CBD cannot legally be marketed as a supplement.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has also declared CBD safe: Read the report here.

Finland is currently an exception in Europe, as CBD still cannot be advertised for internal use.

That said: if you are on medication, always consult your doctor before using ingestible CBD, as it can interact with certain drugs (e.g. blood thinners) through liver enzymes.

Atopic dermatitis affects over a million Finns at some point in their lives, and the condition is partly hereditary. It is linked to irregularities in the immune system and the skin’s structural properties. Environmental factors (such as allergens, stress, etc.) can make symptoms worse.

Why Traditional Atopic Skin Treatments Aren’t Always the Best Choice

We Finns are an atopic nation, and pharmacy moisturizers and cortisone creams are familiar staples for many. Traditionally, those with atopic skin are advised to use exactly those products.

But what if you have atopic skin and want to use natural cosmetics? Pharmacy moisturizers are far from natural — they often contain synthetic and petroleum-based ingredients like paraffin, petroleum jelly, and silicones, as well as plastic-derived compounds that improve texture.

The problem with these ingredients is that they don’t truly help the skin function better or feel healthier. Instead, they act more like temporary band-aids for symptoms — or may even make them worse.

Cortisone creams, on the other hand, should not be used for long periods. Prolonged use can cause skin thinning, dilated blood vessels, discoloration, and inflammation of hair follicles.

CBD – A Natural Alternative for Atopic Skin

So what would be a solution that treats atopic skin without plastic-based ingredients, using raw materials that actually nourish the skin — not just cover up the symptoms, but address the deeper issues?

The answer lies in CBD oil. Cannabidiol, derived from hemp, is naturally anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, moisturizing, soothing, balancing, redness-reducing, and sebum-regulating. Its benefits extend to nearly every skin type — especially atopic skin.

How CBD Helps Atopic Skin: Key Benefits

We call CBD nature’s own multitasker, and for people with atopic skin, it’s a dream ingredient. We’ve tested our CBD oils with dozens of trial participants, and especially among those with atopic skin, we’ve received feedback about visible, positive changes. The most common customer reports include reduced redness, itching, and flaking. Similar results have been observed in scientific studies, which are listed at the end of this article. It’s no coincidence we’ve chosen cannabidiol as the core ingredient in our products — its effects are genuinely impressive.

The calming effects of cannabidiol aren’t limited to atopic skin — it can also benefit people with psoriasis and acne. We wanted to create a natural alternative to pharmacy moisturizers and cortisone creams, and we encourage you to try CBD oil for atopic skin. It has no side effects.

All Blank& products contain CBD, but our facial oils have the highest concentrations. In our Amio and Evie facial oils, the CBD content is just under 10%, and in our Neo CBD Booster it’s 20%. You can use Amio and Evie directly on your face, while Neo is designed for targeted application. You can either apply a few drops to areas with redness, itching, dryness or mix it into your own moisturizer.

You can find Amio, Evie, and Neo on the Blank& online store. As a tip: on each product page, you’ll find reviews from others who have tried them.

References

• Evaluation of Biophysical Parameters of the Skin of Patients With Atopic Dermatitis After Application of an Ointment Containing 30% Cannabidiol and 5% Cannabigerol, 2025

• Improvement in Atopic Dermatitis Using a Novel Topical 2% Cannabidiol (CBD) Application, 2025

• A therapeutic effect of cbd-enriched ointment in inflammatory skin diseases and cutaneous scars, 2019 

• An Observational Study of the Application of a Topical Cannabinoid Gel on Sensitive Dry Skin, 2020 
  

Our mission is to break taboos surrounding CBD — and the same goes for lubricants. Does lube always have to come in a cheap-looking plastic tube that gets hidden in the back of a drawer, something we’re even a bit ashamed of? Or could an intimate product actually be a source of pride — something you’d happily leave out on your nightstand, even in daylight? We believe it absolutely should be. And sexual health is a topic that deserves to be talked about just as openly as mental health.

Holistic thinking means a comprehensive approach, where a person is seen as a whole: physically, psychologically, socially, and spiritually. Sexuality is one of our basic needs and an important part of our identity:

The Body and Pleasure:
Sexuality is not just physical activity — it includes listening to your body, touch, pleasure, and having an accepting relationship with your body.

Emotions and the Psyche:
Sexuality is closely linked to emotions, self-esteem, trauma, and the ability to be present.

Relationships:
Sexuality is about interaction, intimacy, and trust. From a holistic perspective, it connects to how we relate to others.

Spirituality and Meaning:
For some, sexuality has a spiritual dimension — such as feeling connected to something greater, transcending oneself, or experiencing sacredness through sex.

Self-Acceptance:
Holistic sexuality emphasizes acceptance — of your body, desires, boundaries, and identity.

Sex and sexuality benefit us on many levels: sex relaxes and reduces stress, improves mood, increases intimacy and connection with a partner, can boost the immune system (according to some studies), helps with sleep, may relieve pain, supports hormonal balance, and enhances body awareness.

A holistic approach to sexuality is empathetic, accepting, and respectful of humanity. Sexuality is not a separate part of who we are — it’s deeply intertwined with our body, mind, emotions, and relationships. That’s why viewing it holistically can often be both liberating and healthy.

Blank& has launched two lubricants (Etna and Glisa), designed not only to provide a safe and essential option for intimate moments — alone or together — from a chemical perspective, but also to help create moments where we can be freely ourselves, just as we are — without shame about our lubricant.

Read more about sexual wellness here.

Just because a product features a hemp leaf on its label doesn’t automatically mean it contains CBD. CBD is also considerably more valuable as an ingredient than hemp seed oil, so in principle the price of the product can give you a clue. The best way to be sure, however, is to check the ingredient list.

On the INCI list, CBD appears under the term “Cannabidiol – derived from extract or tincture or resin of cannabis” or simply “Cannabidiol”. Hemp seed oil, on the other hand, is listed as "Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil".

Hemp seed oil is extracted from seeds

Hemp seed oil is obtained by cold-pressing hemp seeds, and it does not contain CBD. When used on the skin, hemp seed oil moisturizes, but it is especially when taken internally that it has been scientifically proven to help with conditions such as eczema and even psoriasis, thanks to its omega fatty acid content. Hemp seed oil makes skin feel hydrated and soft, but it does not contain the active compounds of CBD – meaning its effects are not as versatile.

Hemp seed oil can also be used as-is in cooking, for example in salads and smoothies.

CBD is nature’s own multitasker

CBD calms and balances the skin while effectively repairing small imperfections. Its anti-inflammatory properties are particularly helpful for those with atopic or psoriatic skin. CBD also regulates sebum production, which makes it suitable for oily, impure skin and acne-prone skin.

Its antioxidant effects help aging skin appear more youthful: cannabidiol supports skin that looks healthier, more balanced, and well-hydrated.

CBD is suitable for stressed, sensitive, and oily skin alike.

CBD helps with:

• soothing irritated and stressed skin
  

• reducing itchiness and redness, for example after shaving
  

• repairing minor skin damage
  

• balancing sebum production, which benefits acne-prone skin
  

• fighting free radicals thanks to its antioxidant properties, helping skin maintain a youthful appearance
  

Hemp is a versatile plant that benefits both skincare and nutrition in many ways.

Sources:

Efficacy of dietary hempseed oil in patients with atopic dermatitis

Diet and Psoriasis: Part 3. Role of Nutritional Supplements

What Are the Benefits of Hemp Oil?