Our Heritage

Pommade Divine's history is anything but ordinary. From its earliest beginnings to the homes and handbags of today, its story has been shaped by the people who used it, loved it and passed it on. Centuries of grazed knees, winter hands and remarkable connections. Here's how one little jar came from a monastery garden to your bathroom cabinet

c. 900–1000: It began with an apple. 

Anglo-Saxon healers made waxy salves from crab apples, herbs and fats. "Pomade" comes from the Latin word “pomarius” which means “apple”.

1500s: Made by monks.

In France, monks had access to the gardens full of medicinal healing plants and herbs. They made pomades to help the sick. The word "Divine" was added because of its reference to the monks and so the term “pomade divine” was born.

1720: At Versailles.

Princess Elisabeth Charlotte, Marie-Antoinette’s great-grandmother, wrote our first ever review. In a letter to her sister in Germany, she tells her "pomade divine is the best thing if you have burned yourself with sealing wax".

1750s: "No, I'm the real Pommade Divine!"

The remedy balm becomes so popular in Britain that London apothecaries argued in the newspapers over who owned it stating that only they had the true recipe and for customers to be careful of imposters on the market.

1800: The first jar of Butler's Pommade Divine.

Butler & Co., sells its first jar at No. 4 Cheapside in the City of London. A few years later, they receive a Royal Appointment to serve as Chemists to the Royal Family

1864: To America.

A Confederate soldier, Hamilton Branch, wrote to his mother that he carried Pommade Divine in his haversack.

1910s: "Nanny's magic cream."

It went out across the Empire, and it was said there was a jar with every nanny in every nursery.

1945: On every chemist's shelf.

It was sold in pharmacies across the UK, including Boots.

Late 1980s: Gone.

Production stopped. Devoted customers hunted antique shops and attics for the last jars.

1987: A new guardian.

A family who knew the balm well bought it, and made small batches for loyal customers.

2015: Back for everyone.

Pommade Divine returns, and we still hear from people overjoyed to find it again.

2026: A new look, the same balm.

Production stopped. Devoted customers hunted antique shops and attics for the last jars.