Botanical Hand Wash
Hand washing is something we do over and over again
I wanted a hand wash for one of the most ordinary things we do every day — washing our hands.
That also means it can be one of the products our skin encounters most often.
I didn't want an aggressively fragranced or antibacterial hand wash. I wanted something that cleans effectively, rinses away easily and is pleasant enough to use repeatedly throughout the day.
Ordinary washing already does the important job of physically removing dirt, oils and unwanted microorganisms from our hands. I don't believe an everyday hand wash needs to try to sterilise the skin in order to clean it properly.
So this formulation is deliberately straightforward: a Castile-based liquid cleanser, with glycerine and jojoba included because I wanted to think about what frequent washing can do to the skin, rather than concentrating only on what needs to be removed.
I've also included sea buckthorn oil, frankincense and lavender because, just as with the soap, I wanted some of the ingredients to be there for the skin itself — not simply for cleansing or fragrance.
Many people live with dry, uncomfortable hands, and frequent washing can be one of the things that contributes to that — particularly when the products being used are more cleansing or stripping than the skin needs.
I didn't want to create a hand wash that cleans your hands only to leave them feeling so dry that you're immediately reaching for moisturiser every time you use it.
The aim is effective everyday cleansing while leaving the skin feeling comfortable afterwards — clean hands without unnecessarily stripping away what the skin needs.
Clean what needs to be cleaned, while remembering there is skin underneath.
What’s in it — and why
Castile Soap — provides the cleansing foundation of the hand wash. It does the fundamental job I need it to do: loosening oils, dirt and microorganisms so they can be rinsed away with water. I don't need to add an antibacterial agent simply to make everyday handwashing effective.
Vegetable Glycerine — a humectant that helps attract and hold moisture. I included it because hands can be washed many times throughout the day, and I wanted the formulation to consider moisture and comfort as well as cleansing.
Jojoba Oil — technically a liquid wax rather than an oil, jojoba has an unusual composition that makes it particularly valuable in skincare. It helps condition and soften the skin and supports the more skin-conscious approach I wanted from a frequently used hand wash.
Sea Buckthorn Oil — this is not a token addition. Sea buckthorn is a relatively expensive ingredient, but I chose it deliberately for its exceptionally rich lipid and antioxidant profile and its traditional use in supporting dry, stressed and compromised skin. It contains a broad range of fatty acids and naturally occurring carotenoids, tocopherols and other antioxidant compounds. Only a modest amount is appropriate in a hand wash, but I wanted it there for what it brings to the skin — not simply so I could put its name on the label.
Frankincense Essential Oil — included for more than fragrance. Frankincense has a long history of traditional use in preparations for the skin, and I chose it for those skin-supporting qualities. Its warm resinous aroma is naturally part of the ingredient, but fragrance isn't the reason it is here.
Lavender Essential Oil — included for its long history of traditional use in skin preparations and because it complements the gentle, everyday nature of the formulation. Its familiar botanical aroma is naturally part of the ingredient, rather than being added simply to fragrance the product.
Optiphen Plus
A broad-spectrum preservative system included to protect the water-based formulation against microbial contamination.
Wild Potato Bush Australian Bush Flower Essence — the flower-essence component of the formulation, chosen around themes of renewal, vitality and the ability to move forward when feeling weighed down or depleted.
Why the preservative?
A simple ingredient list isn't automatically a safer one.
Any water-based product needs appropriate protection against microbial contamination. Once I knew a preservative had a necessary job to do, I looked for an option I was comfortable including.
Optiphen Plus was chosen because it is a non-formaldehyde-releasing preservative system, and because it can provide effective preservation when used at an appropriate concentration in a compatible formulation.
For me, that's part of the same Nurturing Skin philosophy: don't leave out something necessary merely to make an ingredient list look more appealing. Choose it carefully, use it for a reason, and don't use more than the product needs.
How to use
Dispense a small amount onto wet hands and work into a lather, making sure to wash between the fingers, around the thumbs and over the backs of the hands.
Rinse thoroughly with water and dry gently.
Use as often as needed for everyday hand washing.
Because this is a formulation designed for regular use, you don't need a large amount each time. Start with a small pump and use more only if needed.
For external use only. Avoid contact with eyes. If irritation occurs, discontinue use.
Packaging & Refill
The Botanical Hand Wash comes in a 200 ml amber glass pump bottle for everyday use, with a 500 ml amber glass refill available when you need more.
I gave some thought to the pump itself, too.
I deliberately sourced a pump that dispenses a relatively small amount at a time. You don't need a handful of product to wash your hands effectively, and an oversized pump can mean using far more than you actually need without even thinking about it.
A smaller dispense means less waste, better value from each bottle, and only as much product as you need to do the job.
Start with one pump and use more only if you need it.
When the bottle is empty, simply refill it and keep using the original pump.
One everyday bottle. Refill it. Reuse it.
Available Sizes
Available Sizes
200 ml — $24.95
An amber glass pump bottle for everyday use, with a carefully chosen pump that dispenses a modest amount each time.
500 ml Refill — $44.95
An amber glass refill bottle for replenishing your original hand wash bottle without needing to purchase another pump.
Both sizes contain exactly the same Botanical Hand Wash formulation.
Not sure whether Botanical Hand Wash is right for you?
Not sure whether Botanical Hand Wash is right for you?
Botanical Hand Wash is available as one of the six minis you can choose in our Discovery Collection.
It's an opportunity to try the formulation before deciding whether you'd like to purchase a full-sized bottle.
Explore Our Personal Care Collection
Explore Our Personal Care Collection
Would you like to learn more about the thinking behind our personal care range and discover the other products in the collection?
Considering Purchasing This Product?
Botanical Hand Wash is available in a 200 ml pump bottle for everyday use and a 500 ml refill.
Have a look at the options below. Click Quick View on your preferred size to see the product details and, if you decide it's right for you, add it to your cart.
