Pommade Divine delves into the past

Published: 13-Nov-2014

Pommade Divine, a skin care product that dates back to the 18th century, is being relaunched onto the UK market in 2015.

The quasi-medicinal balm originated in France and was traditionally used to treat skin ailments such as wounds, grazes and burns. The very first mention of Pommade Divine was in a letter from the Bavarian Princess Elisabeth Charlotte – the great grandmother of Marie Antoinette – born in 1652, who wrote a letter recommending the balm for burns. The letter also revealed the princess approved of the balm's spicy scent, saying: “I don't know how one could not like the smell of the pommade divine.”

The waxy salve was typically based on animal fat including suet and marrow but, for its latest iteration, the ingredients have been upgraded for the 21st century consumer, although it still retains the key ingredients of the original product: clove, cinnamon and nutmeg. Pommade Divine used to retail in the UK in Boots, before it was discontinued.

The balm is multipurpose and can be used on chapped lips and elbows, dry skin, insect bites, scars, stretch marks, cuticles and bruises, among other uses. The product will be available in Liberty for £20.

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