On a recent morning, I washed my hands with Malin + Goetz Rum Hand Wash just before leaving the house for work. During my commute I caught myself thinking, “Something or someone smells good,” before realizing that I was breathing in the lingering scent of my own hand wash.
The fragrance of Rum Hand Wash is a match to Malin + Goetz’s popular Rum Tonic Eau de Toilette and delightfully potent Dark Rum Candle: it combines top notes of bergamot and plum, middle notes of rum and leather, and a base of amber, patchouli, and milk. The resulting scent is fruity, but not orange-juicy, and sweet, but not cupcake-y. The amber and patchouli are subtle, yet they anchor the scent in “shared” gender territory and they keep it closer to the skin. It’s a pleasingly unclassifiable fragrance, and it feels bright and soothing at the same time.
Rum Hand Wash’s formula boasts “amino acid hydration,” and although I’m not sure exactly how that works, I can feel that something is working. This wash is a gel, rather than a liquid, and its blend of glycerin, fruit extracts and gentle, synthetic detergents (all listed directly on the bottle, in Malin + Goetz’s signature type) transforms into an amazingly soft lather. Although I normally apply lotion after washing my hands, I don’t notice any tight dryness if I skip that step after using Rum Hand Wash.
My bottle of Rum Hand Wash has found a useful place next to the kitchen sink, but I’ve also tried this product as a body wash, as suggested by the finer print on the bottle. One pump is more than enough for the hands, and two or three pumps produce enough foam for the whole body. Maybe someday Malin + Goetz will produce a matching hand cream or body lotion; its lightly citrusy Vitamin B5 Body Moisturizer would pair well with the Rum scent, but a companion product would be even better.
Malin + Goetz Rum Hand Wash sells for $20 for 8.5 oz. For buying information, see the listing for Malin + Goetz under Perfume Houses.
My hands tend to dry out in the winter months, not least because I obsessively wash them zillion times a day. This hand wash sounds great so thanks, Jessica!
Another thing: I've been meaning to buy Dr. Hauschka hair products (shampoo) since none of the ones I'm using now work for my scalp. What's more, they seem to be having quite the adverse effect, making my skin itchy and dry (my scalp is normal to greasy). So, have you had any experience with this brand that is said to be 100% organic and contain no SLS, parabens…? Thanks!
Dusan, I now use L'Occitane 3-essential oils shampoo and conditioner, for coloured hair and I think these are very good products. The haircolour doesn't fadeout and my scalp is happy. I massage the conditioner on my scalp as well and no more dry and itchy feelings and no heavyweight hair either.
I believe that there are three ingredients that should not be on the label and they are- I think – ammonium…, sodium… and laureth-sulfyl…
The L'Occitane shampoo is not foaming but it cleans well.
Maybe one of L'Occ.shampoos is also right for you?
Hi Jessica, like Dusan I also wash my hands time after time and I use whatever is available but for me the handcream is important. I use several brands, and they are everywhere in the house and my favorite is L'Occitane shea butter handcream, but also I use Lavere handcream and Santaverde handcream. SantaVerde is very good, not for the smell but the ingredient water is replaced by aloe vera juice and that is wonderful. Lush Helping Hands is another one in my house. I like them all.
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Great review, Jess, I like the bottle as well!
indeed L'Occitane's hand cream is great!
i am also a fan of Crabtree and Evelyn's Gardener's handcream, I like the green grassy smell but obviously some people don't like it.
I am also a person tht would keep handcreams handy. I have a small tube of Jason 70% organic handcream in Lavender in my bag. It's not too moisturising but perfect for day time use. ANd it smells gorgeous too.
As for handwash, the best smelling one I have used unfortunately unlikely to be available in US. But to UK readers, Champney's Rose handwash is heavenly!
Hi Dusan! I'm a compulsive hand washer, too, particularly during “flu season.” When I asked my doctor whether or not I should get a flu shot, he said that I'd be better off just eating well, getting enough sleep, and washing my hands frequently. Of course, this is also the coldest and driest time of year… so I appreciate hand washes and hand soaps that aren't harsh on the skin!
I haven't tried any Dr. Hauschka hair products yet, although I've seen them recommended in magazines (for what that's worth!). However, I do like Avalon Organics hair products (SLS-free, etc.) and speaking of Malin + Goetz, their shampoo and conditioner aren't necessarily all-natural, but they work quite well!
Hi M! I'm really devoted to Lush Helping Hands, too. It's so effective and it has that great chamomile-lavender-herbal scent. The L'Occitane hand cream is a classic, and I'd love to own a tube of Jurlique lavender or rose hand cream, although it's a bit pricey.
Hi Bittergrass, The M + G packaging is one of the brand's many appealing points! Very clean and modern.
I haven't owned C & E Gardener's hand cream for a while, but I remember it as being an excellent product. And Champney's Rose sounds very appealing. I'm a lover of all good rose-scented products. I'll look it up and read about it, even if I can't actually buy it here in the US. Thanks!
Marianne, thanks for the rec! I've so far been satisfied with L'Occitane products. The fact that their shampoos don't foam much is actually a good thing because it means they don't contain aggresive surfactants (foamers), which cause skin irritation/itchiness. I'll give them a try!
Avalon Organic duly noted, thanks J!
And your doctor was absolutely right – my skin definitely reacts to my unhealthy habits (smoking, low-vitamin/mineral diet, going to bed at the crack of dawn!). Guess I should work on rectifying *that*, huh?
Dusan, Well, we all have a bad habit or two…
I can also recommend the John Masters hair line. They're a bit expensive, but very high quality, and they do have products designed for dry scalp and/or hair! Good luck.
J, I already have the JM line on my to-try list thanks to *your* review of the Rosemary & Lavender shampoo.
I'm trying to break out of my bad habits, honestly… one by one… baby steps…
Thanks for the great review, Jessica!
Great review, I will look for this. Sounds yummy.
Good morning, Patti! Thanks.
Hi Kim, and thanks! It's well worth trying.