Reviews · L'Occitane · Body care
Is L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream worth it? Who it suits, and who should skip it
Shea Butter Hand Cream is one of L'Occitane's best-known products: a rich, scented hand cream built around shea butter. This is a research-based guide rather than a hands-on test. It covers what's in it, how to use it and who it's worth it for, using L'Occitane's own product information and UK retailers' listings.
L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream 150ml
What works
- Made with 20% shea butter, according to L'Occitane, so it is a rich cream rather than a light lotion
- Aimed at very dry hands, which makes it a sensible winter choice
- Comes in a small tube for a bag or pocket as well as a larger tube for a desk or sink
- The listing describes it as vegan and suitable for all skin types
- Instantly recognisable packaging, so it works well as a gift
Worth knowing
- It contains fragrance, so it is not the choice for very sensitive or fragrance-reactive skin
- Rich creams can feel a little greasy for a few minutes, especially if you apply a lot
- It is a lot to spend on a hand cream compared with a plain, unscented one
- It treats dryness on the surface; it will not fix hands that are cracked, inflamed or sore
Who it's for
It's worth it if your hands get dry and tight in cold weather and you like a rich, lightly scented cream, or if you want a gift that suits almost anyone. Skip it if you react to fragrance, if you want a fast-absorbing lotion for use at a keyboard, or if your hands are sore or cracked and need advice from a pharmacist or GP.
Hand creams get a harder life than most skincare: hands are washed, sanitised and exposed to cold air all day. A rich cream helps by sitting on the surface and slowing moisture loss. Shea butter is the classic ingredient for this, which is why L'Occitane built its best-known hand cream around it.
L'Occitane says the cream contains 20% shea butter, a plant fat it describes as nourishing and protective. Ingredient lists for hand creams of this type usually also include glycerin, which draws water into the skin, and a fragrance blend, so read the list on your tube for the exact formula, because formulas can differ between sizes and countries. The scent is soft and creamy rather than floral or sweet.
To use it, apply a small amount to clean, dry hands and massage it in, including the backs of the hands and the cuticles. Reapply after washing and before bed. If you want a heavier treatment, a thicker layer under cotton gloves overnight is a common tip for very dry hands, though that is general advice rather than something the brand specifically claims.
There are two sizes on this site. The link on this page is for the larger 150ml tube, which is generous and good for a bathroom or desk. The 30ml tube is the better choice for a handbag or stocking, and it is featured in my luxury beauty stocking fillers guide. The 150ml tube also appears in my luxury beauty gifts guide for Christmas.
The cream contains fragrance, so patch-test it if your skin is sensitive. If you want to compare, the Molton Brown Orange & Bergamot Hand Cream in my stocking fillers guide is a fresher, citrus-scented option, and Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream is a heavier, herbal-smelling multi-tasker for dry patches. For hands that are cracked or sore, a plain fragrance-free ointment or advice from a pharmacist is a better route than any scented cream.
How this page was written: I haven't tested this hand cream myself. Everything here comes from L'Occitane's product information and major UK retailers' listings. If I test it, I'll update this page with a hands-on verdict.
The verdict
Shea Butter Hand Cream is worth it if you want a rich, comforting cream for dry winter hands, or a gift that suits nearly anyone. If you react to fragrance, or want something light that absorbs at once, a fragrance-free lotion will suit you better.
L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream 150ml
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