Gels

Hemp gels in this category are two groups of cosmetics. The first is massage preparations: cooling gels and ointments, warming gels, and those with dual action. The second is cleansing cosmetics, namely shower gels, creamy gels, and bath foams. Most contain hemp seed oil or CBD, and below we explain how the forms differ and how to read the label.

Cooling, warming, and duo

The cooling effect is provided by menthol and camphor, often with eucalyptus or peppermint oil. This is how the Medicprogress Extra cooling hemp ointments in 100 ml and 250 ml packages and the Palacio Hemp Sport Gel Forte cooling gel in a 200 ml tube are formulated.

Heat comes from capsaicin or extract from pepper. The Palacio Hemp Sport Gel Forte warming combines capsaicin with sunflower oil, Laurocann Forte Hot 175 ml with clove oil and shea butter, and the Kombinat Konopny ointment 100 g with aloe gel, horse chestnut, and comfrey. Ortho Help Duo Effect, a 175 ml gel, first cools and then gradually warms up.

Gel or ointment: the base determines the feeling

The name on the package does not always indicate the consistency. The blue Medicprogress Extra cooling ointment lists water and denatured alcohol at the beginning of the ingredients, making it light, evaporating quickly and leaving no greasy layer. The red warming version of the same brand is an emulsion with cetearyl alcohol, shea butter, and petroleum jelly, which spreads more slowly.

Choose a water-alcohol-based gel when you want to put on clothes immediately. A richer emulsion works better for longer massages. With dry skin, pay attention to denatured alcohol high on the list, as it can dry it out.

Hemp oil and CBD on the label

The percentage of hemp seed oil is provided by some manufacturers: Medicprogress hemp ointments contain 5%. The oil itself appears in the INCI list as Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil.

CBD, or cannabidiol, is listed in milligrams for the entire package. The warming and cooling massage gels contain 500 mg each, the warming Kombinat Konopny ointment has 500 mg in 100 g, and the CBD Medicprogress ointments have 125 mg in 125 ml. To compare two products, relate the content to the capacity, as the number of milligrams alone without the package size says little.

Shower gels and bath foams

Palacio shower gels usually come in 500 ml bottles and differ by their additives: rosemary in Cannabis Rosmarinus, Dead Sea salt, goat milk with honey, argan oil, or a synthetic equivalent of snake venom. Two 3-in-1 gels for men wash the body and hair, one has a pump, the other a cap. For travel, there are 250 ml versions in a bottle and a tube.

The Medicprogress hemp shower gel 200 ml contains hemp oil in the form of water-soluble esters intended for cleansing cosmetics. Alongside are panthenol, glycerin, and vitamin E, with a base made of mild coconut surfactants. For bath use, Palacio foams 500 ml are available, including lavender, goat milk, and argan oil, as well as a hemp bath cream.

Hemp gels: how to use and what to watch out for

Apply the massage preparation in a thin layer to clean, undamaged skin and massage until absorbed. After the massage, wash your hands, as capsaicin, menthol, and camphor sting the eyes, and do not apply the preparation to mucous membranes. Before first use, perform a patch test on a small area of skin.

Also check for restrictions on the label. The warming Kombinat Konopny ointment is not intended for children under 6 years old, and the red Medicprogress ointment and Ortho Help Duo Effect contain methyl salicylate, so if allergic to salicylates, choose another preparation. Fragrance allergens such as limonene, linalool, or coumarin usually appear at the end of the INCI list.

Read more about usage in the guides how to use hemp massage gel and guide to Palacio cosmetics. Creams, serums, and oils can be found in the Cosmetics category.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between cooling and warming gel?

The ingredients that provide the sensation. Cooling gels use menthol and camphor, often with eucalyptus or peppermint oil, while warming gels contain capsaicin or extract from pepper. Ortho Help Duo Effect combines both directions: first it cools, then gradually warms. After the massage, wash your hands, as menthol, camphor, and capsaicin sting the eyes.

Is ointment always greasier than gel?

No. The Medicprogress Extra cooling ointment has a base of water and denatured alcohol, so it behaves like a light gel and evaporates quickly. The red warming version is an emulsion with shea butter and petroleum jelly, which spreads more slowly. The consistency is indicated by the first items on the INCI list, not the name on the package.

How to compare CBD content in two preparations?

Relate milligrams of CBD to the package capacity. The Kombinat Konopny ointment has 500 mg in 100 g, while the CBD Medicprogress ointments have 125 mg in 125 ml, so per unit of capacity, the first contains significantly more. The hemp seed oil, given in percentages, is separate information.

Which shower gel is suitable for children?

The manufacturer of the Medicprogress gel 200 ml describes the formula as gentle enough for washing children’s skin. It contains mild coconut surfactants. An adult should perform the application, and for skin that reacts to fragrances, it is advisable to start with a patch test.

Is there real snake venom in the snake venom gel?

No. Palacio uses a synthetic equivalent of snake venom, not a substance taken from an animal. The manufacturer also states the gel has a neutral pH and is directed towards all skin types. This is one of the Palacio shower gels, which differ by their additives, such as rosemary, Dead Sea salt, or argan oil.