There are beauty products that come and go and some that stand the test of time. L'Occitane's Shea Butter Hand Cream was first introduced to the beauty world over 30 years ago, but has stood the test of time and is now so iconic it can be identified by its luxurious silver tube.
The bestselling hand cream has now reached a new following thanks to its rise on TikTok, where the aesthetically pleasing ASMR squeeze shows off the product's rich consistency, gaining thousands of likes on the popular social media platform.
I've personally been a fan for years, and it's one of the first products I think of when asked for a hand cream recommendation. But why? Let me explain...
The background
Made with 96% natural origin ingredients and vegan friendly, each tube of L'Occitane's hand cream includes 20% Shea Butter (organic and sustainably sourced through fair-trade partnerships with female producers in West Africa) as well as a nourishing blend of argan and coconut oil. Infused with jasmine and ylang-ylang, the signature packaging is made from 95% recycled aluminium.
As for the formula, the French brand describes it as a "fast-absorbing" cream that nourishes, hydrates, soothes and softens hands. Tested under dermatological supervision and microbiome-friendly, one of its most raved about qualities is the non-greasy feel.
First launched in the winter of 1993, the hand cream's aluminium packaging has become synonymous with the brand. Having been inspired by founder Olivier Baussan's childhood, specifically his mother, a keen oil painter. It was this memory, over 30 years ago, that inspired Olivier to house the Shea Butter Hand Cream in the now iconic aluminium tubes.
L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream - our verdict
I've personally been a fan of this hand cream for years. The recent cold weather we've had in the UK meant I could put the cream - and it's claims - to the test. I'd say the biggest selling point is the non-greasy formula; it sinks in beautifully without any of the tell-tale oil feel sometimes experienced with other products I've tried in the past.
© L'Occitane
It left my hands soft and supple without a greasy-feeling residue, and kept them smooth despite the adverse weather and the increased central heating.
One of my favourite things about this hand cream is the tube; it is chunky, hardy and I carry one in my handbag come rain or shine. I love that I can use it on the go without wanting to wipe my hands clean afterwards - one of the counterproductive qualities I often find with other products of the same ilk.
"The shea butter and coconut oil formulation is a dream for nourishing hands, leaving them soft, supple and deliciously hydrated for hours."
Another plus, it lasts ages. The standard 150ml is sizeable, and you'll be hard pressed to get through a tube all winter. There is a smaller, more handbag friendly 30ml size made from 100% recyclable Greenleaf mono-plastic, but I prefer the aluminium tube for my bag (and bedside).
Having used the hand cream for a while now, I've found my hands look much more hydrated and feel so unbelievably soft. Is it getting my hands through winter? You bet.
HELLO!'s Director of Lifestyle and Commerce Leanne Bayley is now a convert too: "I'm not a hand cream girly. In fact, I usually avoid them because I don't like the feel of them. But that was until I tried this one.... it's a game changer. I don't feel any residue, and my hands are now super soft. I'm someone who loves to have a manicure, and I've noticed that my nails look in much better condition since using this every day. It's worked wonders on my cuticles. My hands have never felt so nourished since using this."
© L'Occitane
Hollie Brotherton, HELLO's Lifestyle & Commerce Senior Writer has also been testing the hand cream as well. "The combination of the cold weather and office heating has made my hands so dry in recent weeks, so I've been looking for a hydrating cream I can use daily and I'm loving this from L'Occitane. I usually hate the feeling of anything on my hands but this was surprisingly fast-absorbing despite its rich texture. My skin felt so soft and nourished after just a couple of applications, and a little goes a long way so I expect this tube will last me ages."
The reviews on L'Occitane echo our thoughts too. "A life saviour" reads one, while another called it "the best hand cream I've ever used."
"I've been using this for years, it's simply the best hand cream around. It gives instant relief from dryness and has the most beautiful, subtle scent. Wouldn't use anything else!"
Shop L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream 150ml, £23
We hope you love the product within this article created in collaboration with our affiliate brand partnerL'Occitane. We will receive compensation for this article, and commission when you click on the links or purchase. Prices accurate and items in stock at time of publication.
