Rosewood Hand Cream

Available in 50g and 100g | from £8

A rich, deeply nourishing hand cream handcrafted in West Wittering from a blend of shea butter, sweet almond oil, and apricot kernel oil — enriched with rosewood and sweet orange essential oils. Absorbs readily without greasiness, leaving hands soft, smooth, and delicately scented. Perfect for frequent use, gardeners, and anyone whose hands work hard.

Hands that work hard deserve better than basic

Most hand creams sit on the surface of the skin rather than absorbing into it — leaving a greasy film that transfers to everything you touch. This formula is built around a trio of complementary plant oils and butters that absorb readily into the skin rather than coating it.

Shea butter forms the nourishing backbone of the formula — rich in oleic and stearic acids and naturally occurring vitamin E, it softens and conditions dry, rough, or work-worn skin deeply and durably. Sweet almond oil brings a lighter, fast-absorbing layer of nourishment naturally rich in vitamins A and E and oleic and linoleic acids that closely mirror the skin's own sebum. Apricot kernel oil is particularly rich in vitamin A precursors and oleic acid — a beautifully light, skin-compatible oil that absorbs quickly and leaves no residue.

Together these three ingredients deliver what the current description accurately calls a skin superfood — vitamins A, E, and the essential fatty acids collectively known as vitamin F, all in one formula that absorbs cleanly and comfortably.

Vegetable glycerin acts as a humectant, drawing moisture to the skin's surface and maintaining hydration throughout the day. The emulsifier system — cetearyl alcohol and ceteareth-20 — creates the cream's smooth, comfortable texture.

Rosewood essential oil — steam-distilled from the wood of the Aniba rosaeodora tree — has a warm, softly floral, slightly woody scent that's gentle, grounding, and beautifully natural. It's paired with sweet orange peel oil, which adds a bright, clean citrus lift that balances the warmth of the rosewood. Together they create a scent that's sophisticated without being heavy — lovely enough to make applying hand cream a genuine pleasure.

What's in it — and why

• Shea butter (Butyrospermum parkii) — rich in oleic and stearic acids and natural vitamin E; deeply nourishing and conditioning
• Sweet almond oil (Prunus amygdalus) — naturally rich in vitamins A and E; absorbs readily; mirrors the skin's natural sebum
• Apricot kernel oil (Prunus armeniaca) — rich in vitamin A precursors and oleic acid; lightweight and fast-absorbing
• Cetearyl alcohol & Ceteareth-20 — plant-derived emulsifier system; creates the smooth, comfortable cream texture
• Vegetable glycerin — humectant; draws moisture to the skin's surface and maintains hydration
• Rosewood essential oil (Aniba rosaeodora) — warm, softly floral, slightly woody; steam-distilled from the wood of the rosewood tree
• Sweet orange peel oil (Citrus aurantium dulcis) — bright, clean citrus lift; balances the warmth of the rosewood beautifully
• Natural preservative system (Dehydroacetic acid, Benzyl alcohol) — effective without parabens

Full INCI: Aqua, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Prunus Amygdalus (Sweet Almond) Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Glycerin, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Sweet Orange) Peel Oil, Aniba Rosaeodora (Rosewood) Wood Oil, Geraniol**, Limonene**, Linalool** **Naturally occurring in essential oils

How to use

Scoop a small amount and warm between your palms. Massage gently into hands, paying particular attention to dry knuckles, cuticles, and any rough patches. Allow a moment to absorb before getting on with your day.

✨ Overnight treatment: Apply a generous layer before bed and wear cotton gloves overnight for an intensive hand spa treatment — you'll wake up to noticeably softer hands.

💡 Gardeners' tip: Apply before gardening to protect hands, and reapply generously after washing off soil and dirt to restore moisture stripped by frequent handwashing.

The Puremess Promise

✔️ Handcrafted in small batches in West Wittering, West Sussex ✔️ Free from synthetic fragrance, sulphates, parabens, palm oil, phthalates and silicones ✔️ Natural, vegan, and cruelty-free ✔️ Available in 50g and 100g

Made with love, in West Wittering.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes this hand cream absorb without feeling greasy? The formula is built around sweet almond and apricot kernel oils — both lightweight, fast-absorbing oils with a fatty acid profile that closely mirrors the skin's own sebum. This means the cream integrates with the skin rather than sitting on top of it. The shea butter provides the deep nourishment; the oils ensure it absorbs cleanly. A small amount is genuinely all you need — the overnight cotton glove treatment is the exception, not the rule.

Is this hand cream suitable for sensitive skin? Yes — it's free from synthetic fragrance, parabens, sulphates, and the most common irritants in conventional hand creams. The scent comes entirely from rosewood and sweet orange essential oils. If you have a known sensitivity to any specific botanical ingredient, check the full INCI before use.

Why is this particularly good for gardeners? Gardening is one of the most demanding activities for hand skin — repeated soil contact, frequent handwashing, and exposure to plant resins and rough materials all strip the skin's natural oils. The combination of shea butter, sweet almond oil, and apricot kernel oil provides sustained nourishment that helps restore and maintain the skin barrier. The warm, woody scent of rosewood also makes it a pleasure to use after a session in the garden — a small reward for hard work.

What vitamins does this hand cream contain? The base oils deliver a natural complement of skin-supportive vitamins. Sweet almond and apricot kernel oils are both naturally rich in vitamin A precursors and vitamin E. Shea butter contains naturally occurring vitamin E and the essential fatty acids collectively known as vitamin F — oleic and linoleic acids that help maintain the skin's natural moisture barrier. These are all delivered naturally through the plant oils, not as synthetic additions.

Can I use this on more than just my hands? Absolutely — it works beautifully on elbows, heels, and any other dry or rough areas. The overnight cotton glove treatment works equally well with socks on feet for intensive heel care.

Which size should I choose? The 50g at £8 is a perfect introduction or handbag size. The 100g at £14 is better value for daily use and the one we'd recommend if you already know you love it.