Hand cream is one of those products where I can be quite fussy. My hands can get quite dry and cracked in the colder months and so I want something that genuinely deeply moisturises my hands. I’ve tried so many hand creams and I think the worst feeling is when they leave a satin like film. You know the feeling: your hands are soft and smooth to the touch, but somehow they still feel dry underneath.
The Body Shop’s Hemp Hand Protector is designed for very dry hands, with a rich formula containing hemp seed oil, shea butter and glycerin. It’s certainly a thicker hand cream than many of the lighter lotions available, but how does it actually perform?
Here’s what I think of it, including a few things worth knowing before you buy it.
The Packaging
The Body Shop Hemp Hand Protector comes in a squeezable aluminium tube, which makes it easy to dispense the amount of product you need. I prefer this to a jar, particularly when I’m using hand cream regularly, as I can squeeze out a little without having to dip my fingers into a pot. I do find pots can end up getting a bit grimy after a while.
There are a couple of drawbacks, though. The lid can be a little fiddly to deal with, and the tube itself does tend to become misshapen as you use it. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it does make the packaging feel a little less practical than it could be.
The tube is functional enough. It doesn’t leak, can be thrown in a bag and I like being able to control how much cream comes out. Just don’t expect it to stay looking pristine once you’ve been using it for a while.
The Scent: An Unusual Earthy Smell
I’ll be honest: the scent is probably the most distinctive thing about this hand cream.
To me, it smells a little like wet soil. I realise that probably doesn’t sound particularly appealing when you’re talking about a beauty product, but it’s not as off-putting as it might sound.
The scent is earthy and quite unusual compared with the sweet, buttery or nutty fragrances you tend to find in hand creams. However, I find it relatively subtle, and it fades fairly quickly after application.
If you’re sensitive to smells or prefer your skincare to be fragrance-free, this might be something to consider before buying. But if you don’t mind a slightly earthy scent, I don’t think it’s a major drawback.
Personally, I’d rather have a hand cream that does its job than one that smells delicious.
The Texture: Thick, Rich and Nourishing
This is where The Body Shop Hemp Hand Protector really stands out.
The formula is thick and rich, with a dense consistency that feels more like an intensive treatment than a lightweight hand lotion. You don’t need much product, either, a little goes a long way.
The downside is that it takes a while to settle into the skin. If you’re looking for a hand cream you can apply generously and immediately get back to typing, handling your phone or doing other tasks, this probably isn’t the most convenient option. I find for a while after applying it, touching my phone screen etc tends to leave marks.
How I Like to Use It
Because the cream is so rich, I prefer to use it as an overnight hand treatment or apply a small amount to particularly dry areas.
Before bed is a convenient time to use it. You can apply the cream, massage it into your hands and let it work while you sleep, rather than worrying about whether your hands feel slippery afterwards.
If I want to use it during the day, I’d recommend starting with a very small amount and concentrating on the areas that need the most attention.
One little trick I’ve found helpful is using my wrists to rub the cream into the backs of my hands, rather than immediately using my palms and fingers. This helps keep the product away from my fingertips while I’m working it in, which is useful when I don’t want to coat everything I touch in hand cream.
I find this method makes it easier to incorporate the cream into everyday use.
Does It Actually Moisturise Your Hands?
For me, the answer is yes.
What I like about The Body Shop Hemp Hand Protector is how my hands feel after using it. They feel moisturised and comfortable, rather than simply smooth on the surface.
As I’ve mentioned before, I’ve tried hand creams that initially make my skin feel lovely and soft, but leave me with the impression that my hands are still thirsty underneath – it almost makes my hands feel chalky. It’s difficult to explain, but there’s a difference between a product that makes your skin feel silky for a short time and one that leaves it feeling properly moisturised.
The Body Shop Hemp Hand Protector gives me more of the latter feeling.
Its rich consistency is part of what makes it appealing, especially when my hands are particularly dry. Although it takes longer to settle in than a lightweight lotion, I think the resulting comfort makes that trade-off worthwhile. It also promises 96H
Of course, everyone’s skin is different, and I wouldn’t expect every person to have the same experience. But if you find that lighter hand creams don’t quite do enough for you, this is the sort of formula I’d consider trying.
Is The Body Shop Hemp Hand Protector Worth It?
I’d recommend The Body Shop Hemp Hand Protector if your hands tend to get very dry and you prefer a rich, substantial cream over a lightweight lotion.
Its main strengths are the moisturising feel, the thick texture and the fact that my hands feel comfortable afterwards, without that superficial softness that doesn’t seem to last.
The drawbacks are the unusual earthy scent, the time it takes to settle into the skin and the tube, which can become misshapen with use. It’s also not the hand cream I’d reach for if I needed something to absorb almost immediately.
My advice would be to use it overnight or apply it sparingly to dry areas during the day. Used that way, its rich texture becomes much more of an advantage than an inconvenience.
It’s not the most elegant hand cream in terms of packaging or fragrance, but for me, the important thing is how my hands feel after using it. And that’s where it earns its place in my routine.
It’s also worth mentioning that The Body Shop Hemp Hand Protector is vegan, which may be a useful consideration if you prefer to choose vegan skincare products.
The Body Shop Hemp Hand Protector is available to buy from The Body Shop website and costs £18 for 100ml.
*This post contains affiliate links. This means I may earn a small % commission on anything purchased through the links above. This is of no extra cost to you.
