The Body Shop are celebrating over 20 years of hemp. Yes, you heard that right. Hemp. As in, the cannabis plant. The Body Shop set the trend for using the plant in their skincare products in 1992. The brand even has to keep their suppliers confidential so it’s not confused with another type of hemp – possibly the one that more people are familiar with. They weren’t always praised for their use of Hemp seed oil. In 1998, one of their French stores was raided by police, and a bunch of their products were seized because of the use of hemp. Now you barely see a skincare product without this key ingredient.
I know I did a massive double-take when I saw all the images of what I thought were cannabis plants hanging around The Body Shop. But believe it or not, hemp actually has super beneficial properties for your skin. It contains essential fatty acids, like Omega 3, 6 and 9. These help restore natural oils that keep our skin moisturised and nourished. It’s also been known to reduce the effects of dermatitis and eczema. What more could you possibly want?
In true Body Shop fashion, all the products are affordable, travel-safe, and incredibly environmentally-friendly. To celebrate over (4)20 years of killing the hemp seed oil game, they’ve released a stack of new products.
Here are our favourites from the line:
Hemp Hand Protector – $20 (100 mL)
I am the world’s biggest advocate for a good hand cream. They keep your hands moisturised and healthy, and make your nails as tough as… well, nails. Do I forget to put it on every day? Absolutely. But it’s still the most important part of your skincare routine. Available in both 100 mL and 30 mL, the Hemp Hand Protector is the best thing for your hands, especially during the colder months. For those of you that work with your hands for a living, this product is a dream to reduce cracks and prevent bleeding and sores. Farmers, gardeners and labourers – get around it! This stuff is a lifesaver. The only thing missing is a 420 mL sized tube. But we’re already starting a campaign to make it happen, don’t you worry.
Top Tip: A little goes a loooong way, so use it sparingly to make it last a mile. Get the 30 mL cream for your handbag, and the 100 mL for your bedside table.
Hemp Hard-Working Foot Protector – $20 (100 mL)
If the thought of feet and toes creeps you out, feel free to skip right past this. We won’t judge you too hard.
A foot cream is not the first thing you would think you’d need in your life. But how wrong we were. This BLAZING-ly amazing cream is designed for super dry, cracked feet that are just looking a little dull. Hemp is not the only unique ingredient in this foot saviour. Cacao Seed Butter works alongside the hemp to restore antioxidants and moisturise to the max. We didn’t even know Cacao had seeds. You learn something new every day!
Top Tip: Put this on right before you go to bed and then stick some socks on over the top. Sounds a little bizarre, but that way the product sticks straight to your feet and has a chance to soak in, rather than rubbing off on your bed sheets.
Hemp Heavy-Duty Face Protector – $20 (50 mL)
The facial moisturiser is a dream of a product for those of you with eczema, or super-duper sensitive skin. It’s incredibly gentle and so anti-inflammatory you won’t believe it. It’s great for all skin types, even you oily-skinned gals. Don’t be fooled: oily skin does not mean moisturised skin. You still need a good moisturiser that needs to be used on the daily. Get around this amazing product and then just try and tell us we were wrong. We dare you.
Top Tip: Hemp oil-based products are thick. Be careful about how much you apply – it’ll still do the same job even if you only apply a little bit. Squeeze a pea-sized drop of moisturiser on your hand and then lather on your face. Stunning.
And we know you’re all thinking it, so before you ask: no you cannot get high off these products. Don’t even try.
Stay tuned for more beauty news!
