Look, I get it. We’re all CBD tired. But if there’s one brand that should be exempt of our collective side-eye, it’s The Body Shop. Back in 1992, they were the first mainstream brand to use hemp oil in their skincare products and since then, the Hemp Hand Protector has grown into a cult product for dry hands (and It lord knows we’ve got some cracked knuckles going on due to all that sanitising right now).
To add to the extensive range of bodycare and specialist hemp oil-infused skincare products, The Body shop recently introduced a 3-part CBD collection. They kindly sent me the new launches to review.
By the way if you clicked on this post from the homepage and are wondering about the purp skurp – this amazing video is what it refers to.
All jokes aside though, CBD will not get you high. What it will do for your skin, you’ll find out below.
What does CBD do for your skin?
First things first. CBD stands for cannabidiol and is a chemical compound derived from the cannabis plant. A “CBD oil” is always a mix of the compound with an oil such as olive, hemp or coconut.
Despite the consensus that more research needs to be done, many studies have shown that CBD has an array of benefits to the skin. CBD is anti-inflammatory, making it an excellent ingredient to use on acne-prone skin. The soothing properties can make reactive and sensitive skin look and feel better. The antioxidants found in CBD make it one of the many ways to protect your skin from premature aging.
The Body Shop CBD Skincare: Review
CBD Soothing Oil-Balm Cleansing Mask
This cleansing mask is described as an “indulgent gel-to milk texture” with a formula that “removes impurities without leaving [the skin] feeling dry”. I expected the texture to be slightly dry, maybe even a bit gritty because of the white clay that’s in it. But oh boy, I was happy to be wrong.
The CBD Soothing Oil-Balm Cleansing Mask is thicc as fucc and spreads like a juicy dream. I like to apply this before I brush my hair and take my clothes off to hop into the shower. It only needs 5 minutes to work into the skin and perform its magic. After rinsing, you get a a little hint of that lovely refreshed feeling only the Eve Lom cleansing balm has ever given me.
Don’t worry about your face smelling like a baggy of weed by the way. Upon application you’ll notice a delicate, floral-fresh scent but even that dissipates quickly.
In their review on The Body Shop’s website, user BigT14 describes the cleansing mask as “Jeff Bezos rich”. I’d say that observation is spot-on.
Get the CBD Soothing Oil-Balm Cleansing Mask for £17.00 in the UK 
or € 20 in the Netherlands
CBD Replenishing Moisture Cream
When The Body Shop said replenishing, they weren’t lying. The Replenishing Moisture Cream is super rich, perfect for dry skin like mine. All that hydration comes with a price though: this moisturiser doesn’t fully sink into the skin the way I’d like it to. When layered over my serum, Holika Holika’s 3 Seconds Starter Collagen, I feel greasy. On its own however, it’ll only leave a little bit of a tacky feeling – which is okay, until you have to put on your mask.
If you’re after maximum dewy glow, adding this over a serum or under an oil will give you exactly that. I’ll probably use this in the evening, or on days I don’t have to leave the house. Those days are very frequent, haha.
As with the cleanser, the fragrance is mild and pleasant. No dank notes detected.
Get the CBD Replenishing Moisture Cream for £20.00 in the UK or € 23 in the Netherlands
CBD Restoring Facial Oil
CBD Restoring Facial OilAn oil in your skincare routine is a game changer, guys. Adding a few drops to your moisturiser is a great way to adapt your skincare to the changing seasons. Here in Belgium, central heating is on full blast again and without the extra moisture I would turn into a raisin overnight.
The CBD Restoring Facial Oil contains oils derived from sweet almond, jojoba, hemp and soy bean. It feels lightweight and sinks into the skin quickly.
Due to the vast difference in price, it’s almost unfair to compare The Body Shop’s CBD Restoring Facial Oil to Kiehl’s’ Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil Herbal Concentrate . But considering I have both, I’ll consider it my duty.
The very first thing I did when receiving the package from The Body Shop was sniff the oil. If you’ve ever had a whiff of the Kiehl’s one, you’ll understand why. Due to the oregano oil in the formula it makes your face smell like a pizza pie. The CBD Restoring Facial Oil is a lot less offensive and has the same gentle scent the cream has. A little green, a little citrus, a little floral. A delight.
If it’s something you’re wary of however, you’ll be disappointed to learn the INCI lists geraniol, citronellol, linalool, citral and the unspecified “fragrance”. Kiehl’s’ has none of those, which makes it more compatible for the most sensitive of skins. The € 46 price tag could be justified by the whopping 60% cannabis sativa seed oil content. The Body Shop doesn’t specify exactly how much hempseed oil is in their formula, but considering the CBD Restoring Facial Oil is a mix of various plant oils, I doubt they can compare.
In performance however, I don’t notice much of a difference and due to the scent, I prefer the one by The Body Shop, personally.
Get the CBD Restoring Facial oil for £25 in the UK or € 28 in the Netherlands
How to buy cbd oil in India?..
Uhh… Dunno?