What Body Shop Hemp Hand Cream is (and what it is not)

Body Shop Hemp Hand Cream is best thought of as a rich, barrier-supporting moisturiser that uses hemp seed oil (and typically other emollients) to help soften and protect very dry hands. Hemp seed oil is widely used in skincare because it is a good source of fatty acids that can help support the skin’s moisture barrier.

Where people get tripped up is the word “hemp”. In the UK, “hemp” on a cosmetic label usually refers to hemp seed oil or hemp seed derivatives, which are great moisturisers but do not automatically mean the product contains meaningful cannabinoids like CBD. So if your search terms include things like “cbd cream body shop” or “body shop cbd cream”, it is worth double-checking the ingredient list and product description.

Another common angle is searching for “hemp cream for pain relief UK”. Hand creams are cosmetics, not medicines. They may help your hands feel more comfortable by improving dryness and irritation from frequent washing or cold weather, but they should not be marketed as treating pain or medical conditions. If you have persistent pain, inflammation, dermatitis, or broken skin, it is sensible to speak to your pharmacist or GP for proper advice.

Key features to check before buying (especially if you want “hemp” or “CBD”)

1) Hemp seed oil vs CBD extract

Hemp seed oil is moisturising and can be brilliant for dry skin. CBD is a cannabinoid extracted from the aerial parts of hemp and is used in some topicals for people who want a cannabinoid-rich formula. They are not interchangeable. If you want a CBD topical, look for terms like “CBD”, “cannabidiol”, or “hemp extract” (and ideally a third-party lab report from the brand).

For context, our CBD Face Cream Complete+ uses full spectrum hemp extract and is third-party tested, whereas many “hemp” hand creams on the high street are primarily hemp seed oil moisturisers.

2) Texture and finish (daytime vs overnight)

Hand creams vary a lot. If you want something for daytime, you probably want fast absorption and minimal greasiness. For overnight use, a heavier occlusive feel can be a positive, as it reduces water loss while you sleep. If you hate sticky hands, pick a product that explicitly claims quick absorption, and consider using a smaller amount more often rather than one big application.

3) Fragrance and sensitising ingredients

Dry hands are often more reactive. If you are fragrance-sensitive, check whether the cream is scented. Even “natural fragrance” or essential oils can irritate some people. If you are prone to eczema or contact dermatitis, a simpler formula can be safer, and patch-testing is wise.

4) Packaging and portability

Tube packaging is ideal for a handbag, desk drawer, or travel. It is more hygienic than a jar and easier to dose. If you wash your hands frequently (healthcare, hospitality, parenting), you may want one tube at home and one at work so you actually use it consistently.

5) Value for money (cost per ml, not just headline price)

Two creams can look similar on a shelf but be very different value. Compare price per ml, and consider how much you need per use. Thicker formulas can last longer if a pea-sized amount covers both hands. Also factor in delivery fees if you are buying online.

Pros and Cons

Strengths

• Moisture-barrier focus: Hemp seed oil-based creams are typically strong on dryness support and can be very satisfying in winter.
• Easy to buy in the UK: Body Shop is widely available, so you can often pick it up quickly or reorder without hassle.
• Good “daily habit” product: A dedicated hand cream (kept by the sink or in your bag) can improve consistency, which matters more than most people think.
• Comfort-first use case: For many people, the biggest win is simply softer hands and less tightness after washing.

Considerations

• Not necessarily a CBD cream: “Hemp” often means hemp seed oil, not CBD. If you want cannabinoids, you may need a different product category.
• Fragrance may not suit everyone: If the formula is scented, sensitive skin may prefer fragrance-free alternatives.
• Not a treatment for pain or skin conditions: Hand creams are cosmetics. If you are buying for “pain relief”, set expectations and consider medical guidance.
• Value depends on size and usage: Without checking cost per ml and how much you apply, it is easy to overpay for convenience.

Who Body Shop Hemp Hand Cream is best for

This type of hemp hand cream tends to suit you if your main goal is straightforward moisturising: dry hands from frequent washing, cold weather, DIY, gardening, or workplace environments that dehydrate skin. It is also a sensible pick if you want something mainstream, easy to repurchase, and familiar in look and feel.

If your search is specifically for “CBD cream shop” or “body shop CBD cream”, and you are trying to find a cannabinoid-rich topical, you may be happier choosing a dedicated CBD topical with clear CBD content and accessible lab testing.

CBD One alternative (if you want CBD, not just hemp seed oil)

If what you really want is a topical that includes cannabinoids, consider a full spectrum CBD topical. At CBD One, our topical range is designed for people who want clearly-labelled hemp extract in a cosmetic formula, with third-party testing where stated on the product page.

A simple place to start is CBD Face Cream Complete+ (£44.99). Despite the name, it is positioned as a face and body cream, uses full spectrum CBD, and includes a blend of plant extracts in a paraben and SLS-free formula. If you prefer a non-cream format and want measured use, our CBD Patches [30 x 15mg] | Release (£29.99) are a topical option with lab verification and slow-release tech (they are CBD isolate and THC-free).

And if you are building a broader routine, pairing topical care with an oral product can be convenient. For example, 5% CBD Oil [500mg CBD] (£33.99) is a full spectrum entry-level oil, but remember the UK FSA advises healthy adults not to exceed 70mg CBD per day from food supplements.

Limitations worth saying out loud: CBD One is a smaller, premium-focused brand with a tighter range than the big high-street names, and we do not offer CBD gummies. If you want the cheapest possible hand cream, a mainstream hemp moisturiser may win on price.

Buying guide: how to choose the right hemp hand cream (or CBD topical)

1) Decide your primary goal: moisturising vs cannabinoid topical

If your hands are simply dry, prioritise moisturisers: humectants (like glycerin), emollients (oils and butters), and occlusives (ingredients that help “seal” hydration). Hemp seed oil fits well here. If you are exploring CBD topicals, choose products that clearly state CBD content and whether they are full spectrum, broad spectrum, or isolate. If you are curious about what “full spectrum” means, our blog on The Entourage Effect is a helpful explainer.

2) Check transparency: ingredients, CBD content, and lab reports

For hand creams, a full ingredient list is the minimum. For CBD topicals, look for: CBD amount (mg), spectrum type, and a third-party Certificate of Analysis where available. This is the difference between “hemp vibes” marketing and a product you can actually assess.

3) Consider sensitivity: fragrance, essential oils, and allergens

If your hands crack easily, react to soaps, or you have a history of irritation, go gentle. Fragrance is a common trigger, and even botanical oils can be irritating for some. Patch test on a small area first, especially if you will be using the product multiple times per day.

4) Match the format to your lifestyle

For desk work and frequent handwashing, choose a tube cream that absorbs quickly. For night-time repair, go thicker and apply after your final wash. For targeted, measured application, topical patches can be convenient for some people (they are not “better”, just different). If you want to learn about patch-style products, see our guide: CBD Patches: Everything You Need To Know.

5) Don’t buy a cosmetic to solve a medical problem

Searches like “hemp cream for pain” are common, but be careful with expectations. CBD is not a medicine, and creams should not claim to treat pain or medical conditions. If you have persistent pain, neuropathy, arthritis concerns, or skin symptoms that do not settle, speak to a clinician. If you take medications and are considering oral CBD alongside topical use, read CBD and Medication and check with your pharmacist or GP.

Understanding hemp ingredients on labels (seed oil, “Cannabis sativa seed oil”, hemp extract)

Here is the thing: a lot of the confusion comes from the way hemp shows up on an INCI list (the official ingredient names used on cosmetics). Two products can both look “hempy” on the front label while being completely different underneath.

Hemp seed oil can appear under a few names

Most mainstream hemp hand creams are built around hemp seed oil, which you might see listed as “Cannabis sativa seed oil”. That is normal, and it does not mean the product is intoxicating or that it contains meaningful levels of cannabinoids. It is simply the standard way the ingredient is described.

“Hemp extract” is not the same as seed oil

If you are looking for a cannabinoid-rich topical, you are typically scanning for language like “hemp extract” or “cannabidiol/CBD” rather than seed oil alone. Even then, it is worth checking whether the brand states CBD content (mg) and what type of extract it uses, because “extract” can be used very loosely in marketing.

Quick reassurance: hemp seed oil will not make you feel “high”

A hand cream made with hemp seed oil is a cosmetic moisturiser. It is not designed to have psychoactive effects, and it is not positioned like ingestible cannabis products. If you are avoiding THC entirely for personal reasons, your best bet is still to read labels carefully and, for CBD products, look for third-party testing information where available.

What “hemp hand cream” can and cannot do (comfort vs claims)

What many people overlook is that the feel of your hands is often a “barrier problem” before it is anything else. When the barrier is dry and rough, everything feels worse: cold air, soaps, sanitiser, even water.

A good hemp hand cream can help by supporting hydration and softness, and by leaving a protective film that reduces that tight, papery feeling after washing. That is the real-world win most people notice day-to-day.

On the flip side, a hand cream is not a fix for every scenario. If you have broken skin, bleeding cracks, signs of infection, or a persistent rash that keeps flaring, it is sensible to get proper advice rather than cycling through stronger and stronger cosmetics. The same goes if you are buying a cream with the expectation it will “sort out” pain in the hands. Comfort support is one thing, but medical issues need medical input.

How to use hand cream for best results (a simple routine)

From a practical standpoint, hand cream works best when you stop thinking of it as a once-a-day product and start treating it like a small, repeatable habit. Most people do not need huge amounts, they need better timing.

Try this “three touchpoints” approach

First: after your first hand wash of the day (or after your morning shower), when your hands are clean and slightly damp. Second: after any heavy handwashing block, like cooking, cleaning, or childcare. Third: before bed, which is often the easiest moment to use a thicker layer without caring about greasiness.

If your hands are very dry, apply to slightly damp skin

Hand creams tend to perform better when there is a bit of water on the skin to “hold on to”. Pat your hands so they are not dripping, then apply cream. If you apply to bone-dry skin in a cold room, you can sometimes feel like you are chasing the dryness rather than getting ahead of it.

Do not forget the bits that crack first

Pay attention to knuckles, the web spaces between fingers, and around the nails. These areas often dry out before the palm does, especially if you are using detergents, doing manual work, or spending time outdoors.

Storage, shelf life, and travel tips

If you have ever bought a hand cream you liked, then found it smelled odd or separated halfway through the tube, storage is usually the reason. Most formulas are fine in normal conditions, but extremes can make them unpleasant to use.

Keep it out of heat where possible

Leaving a tube in a hot car, on a sunny windowsill, or next to a radiator can change texture and scent over time. If you carry one in a bag, that is usually fine, but avoid the “baking in the glovebox” scenario.

Check the PAO symbol, not just the expiry date

Many cosmetics include a little open-jar icon with a number like 6M or 12M. That is the “period after opening” guidance. If you have several half-used hand creams scattered around, that symbol can help you decide which one to finish first.

Travel idea that actually helps

If you are travelling, a small tube is often more realistic than trying to decant creams into random pots. And if you are a frequent handwasher, keeping one cream by the sink and another in your bag often beats carrying the same tube everywhere and forgetting to use it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Body Shop Hemp Hand Cream a CBD cream?

Not necessarily. In the UK, “hemp” in skincare often refers to hemp seed oil, which is moisturising but does not automatically mean the product contains CBD. If you want a CBD topical, check for “cannabidiol/CBD” in the ingredients and look for clear CBD content (mg) and, ideally, third-party lab testing information from the brand.

What is the difference between hemp seed oil and CBD in skincare?

Hemp seed oil is pressed from hemp seeds and is commonly used as an emollient to help soften and support the skin barrier. CBD is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid extracted from hemp and is added to some topical formulas as part of a cannabinoid-rich product. Both can sit in skincare, but they serve different roles and are not interchangeable.

Can hemp hand cream help with pain?

Hand cream is a cosmetic, so it should not be treated as a “pain relief” product. That said, improving dryness can make hands feel more comfortable, especially if tight, chapped skin is part of what is bothering you. If you have ongoing pain, inflammation, or reduced hand function, speak to your GP or pharmacist for appropriate support.

Is CBD cream legal in the UK?

CBD products are legal in the UK when they meet relevant regulations, including THC limits and product compliance requirements. For ingestible CBD, the UK has Novel Food rules and the FSA provides guidance for consumers. For topical cosmetics, brands still need to comply with UK cosmetics regulations and avoid medicinal claims. Always buy from reputable sellers.

What does “full spectrum” mean in CBD topicals?

Full spectrum generally means the hemp extract contains CBD plus other naturally occurring cannabinoids and terpenes, with trace THC within legal limits. Some users prefer full spectrum products because of the so-called “entourage effect”, where multiple compounds may work together. If you need THC-free options, look for broad spectrum or isolate.

Are CBD topicals better than standard hand creams?

Not automatically. A great hand cream is mainly about moisturising ingredients and whether the formula suits your skin and lifestyle. CBD topicals can be a good option if you specifically want a cannabinoid-containing formula, but you should still judge them like any cosmetic: ingredients, feel, fragrance, value, and whether the brand provides transparent product information.

How often should I apply hand cream for very dry hands?

Most people do best with small, frequent applications: after washing hands, before going outside in cold weather, and before bed. If your cream feels greasy, use less but apply more often. If you are dealing with cracking, soreness, or suspected dermatitis, consider medical advice rather than simply increasing product use.

Can I use CBD oil on my hands instead of a hand cream?

You can apply oils to skin, but oils alone do not always perform like a proper hand cream because they may lack water-binding humectants and may feel greasy. If you want CBD for topical use, a purpose-made CBD cream can be easier to apply and more cosmetically elegant. If using oral CBD oil, follow label guidance and FSA advice on daily intake.

Will CBD cream show up on a drug test?

Topicals are less likely to be an issue than ingestible products, but no brand can guarantee outcomes for every testing method. If you are regularly drug tested, choose THC-free options (usually CBD isolate or broad spectrum) and keep documentation. For example, CBD isolate patches are designed to be THC-free, but always check product details and lab verification.

What is a good alternative if I want a CBD topical in the UK?

Look for a UK seller that clearly states CBD content, spectrum type, and provides third-party testing where possible. Within CBD One, CBD Face Cream Complete+ is a full spectrum topical option, and CBD Patches [30 x 15mg] | Release offer a THC-free isolate format with lab verification.

Is “Cannabis sativa seed oil” the same as CBD?

No. “Cannabis sativa seed oil” is the INCI name for hemp seed oil. It is used as a moisturising, skin-softening ingredient. CBD is usually listed as “cannabidiol” and is a different ingredient category.

Does hemp seed oil hand cream contain THC?

Most hemp seed oil cosmetics are not intended to contain meaningful cannabinoids. That said, you should always rely on the ingredient list and the brand’s testing and compliance information, especially if you are sensitive to THC for personal or professional reasons.

Can I use hemp hand cream on cracked or broken skin?

If skin is mildly dry and rough, a moisturiser can be helpful. If you have deep cracks, bleeding, or signs of infection, it is safer to speak to a pharmacist or GP before applying fragranced cosmetics or active-heavy formulas, because broken skin can be more reactive.

Why do some hemp creams smell strong or feel “heavy”?

Heavier creams often use richer oils, butters, and occlusives to reduce water loss. That can feel comforting at night, but too much for daytime. Scent varies with fragrance, essential oils, and the natural aroma of some plant oils. If you are sensitive, fragrance-free or low-fragrance formulas can be easier to stick with.