Review // The Body Shop Hemp Hand Protector

Remember how I said I was going to try more hand creams? Well, as luck would have it, just after I wrote that post, I received this Hemp Hand Protector from The Body Shop. This hand cream is one of their bestsellers but it's been given a limited edition makeover by street artist EINE, all for a good cause.

CHANGE
As you can see, the message of this re-design is "change" and The Body Shop are promoting this in two ways. For every purchase of the limited edition Hemp Hand Protector, £1.50 will be donated to The Body Shop Foundation, which works to protect three causes: animals and people, the planet and the oceans. When you buy one of these special products, you'll be given the opportunity to vote for which cause is closest to your heart then, after the promotion, the funds raised will be split in proportion to the votes. 
PACKAGING
I'll be honest here- I'm not a fan of the packaging. I do like that the material (some sort of thick malleable foil-like substance, but I can't find any information on what it is) keeps it shape so there's no excess air trapped inside as this makes it much easier to squeeze out the product, but it's a big, bulky tube. The lid is also problematic for me as it's absolutely tiny and very fiddly to twist on and off, with only a very small surface area for grip. Trying to put it back on is especially difficult as it needs to balance precariously on the end while I twist it and I keep knocking it off. Maybe that's just me! My last issue is that I can't find any information on how to recycle the packaging, which surprises me for The Body Shop. There is a symbol on the back that I thought was a recycle symbol but actually means "the company has made a financial contribution towards the recycling of packaging" so that's not at all helpful. 
FRAGRANCE
I was dubious when I saw that this hand cream is made from hemp. My first thought was cannabis, as I'm sure many other people would think. However, it turns out that the hemp used to create this hand protector is a non-psychotic variety, use for its seeds, which contain a high level of fatty acids. Thankfully, the cream doesn't make my hands smell like I thought they would! Instead it's an almost sweet, earthy fragrance which is very subtle.
CONSISTENCY & APPLICATION
When I squeezed out the cream for the first time, I was surprised by just how thick it is. Unlike other hand creams which squirt out of the tubes, this one retains its shape as it leaves the nozzle and kind of reminds me of a sausage machine. Seriously. Although this may be an odd comparison, it's actually a really great feature as the cream is super thick and nourishing. A small amount- maybe 1cm in length- is enough to moisturise both hands without leaving them greasy or oily. 
RESULTS
Immediately after use, my hands feel- and look- incredibly smooth and soft. My dry skin is completely nourished and the overall result is of supple, moisturised hands. Interestingly, I have noticed that my hands are getting dryer since I've started using this cream, but I think that's more to do with the weather than the cream. 
Despite my initial misgivings about the hemp, and the awkward packaging, I absolutely love the Hemp Hand Protector. Happy hands and contributing to a great cause. What could be better?
Buy The Body Shop Hemp Hand Protector here
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