Although I’m a big fan of Korean and Japanese skincare, I still love European products. Some of my absolute favorite bath and body products come from Officino Profumo – Farmaceutica Santa Maria Novella, the world’s oldest pharmacy, in Florence. I’ve been there a few times, and I’ve bought their products in Rome, New York and Los Angeles. But the perfumes, soaps and body products from Santa Maria Novella are getting more difficult for me to find in stores in the U.S.
When Jeff and I were in Savannah, we walked from the Jepson Art Center to the Owens-Thomas House along West York Street. We stopped for a quick lunch at Wright Square Cafe, a very cute spot with wonderful handmade candies as well as sandwiches and salads. Next door was an intriguing looking shop called Olfactory Company. It looked a little goth, quite upscale, with all kinds of bits and baubles. Hanging from the ceiling in the middle of the shop was a colorful, huge chandelier. Check out their Facebook page to get a sense of their eclectic inventory.
On the shelves were European bath and body products. In fact, they had a couple of products in the Iris scent from Farmaceutica Santa Maria Novella, but Iris is not my scent. I asked the owner if he could get some of the other scents like my fave, Melograno, and he said that Santa Maria Novella no longer sold to small boutiques like his. Boo! I recently discovered why: Santa Maria Novella now sells from their own website and cuts out the middleman.
But I was in Savannah looking for something to buy to bring home, so I continued looking at the selection of intriguing foreign products. I discovered Roberts Acqua alle Rose Gel Detergente. The label reminded me of the look of the Santa Maria Novella products: very old school, very Italian. In fact, the label is written in Italian, and the company is based in Florence. Manetti & Roberts began in 1867, and Acqua alle Rose Gel Detergente is based on one of the original recipes.
While I was examining Acqua alle Rose Gel Detergente, I wondered is this a hand wash or a facial cleanser? The word “detergente” is a little off-putting. As I mentioned, the label is written in Italian and the letters are microscopic! Wearing my contact lenses, it’s definitely hard to read tiny letters. But I managed to pick out the word “viso”, Italian for face. Good, a facial cleanser. I bought it.
The blue plastic pump bottle that looks like glass is an attractive addition to my bathroom vanity. The cleanser itself is a delight. It’s a clear gel that smells fabulous – a natural rose scent – that makes me look forward to washing my face. It’s made from “extracts from the petals of Rosa Centifolia (essential oil), the fruit of Rosa Canina, and the buds of Rosa Damascena”. Gee, my Italian isn’t half bad! The scent is not overpowering, and it doesn’t linger.
It doesn’t lather, but it gently cleanses. It is very mild, and it doesn’t strip my skin. It is safe for sensitive skin, and it can even be used in the eye area. The label says that it can be used to remove makeup on the face and eyes. But I use it as the second step in my double cleanse routine, after I’ve removed my makeup with either micellar water or makeup removing gel. I love it!
The bottle of Roberts Acqua alle Rose Gel Detergente or in English, Roberts Rose Water Cleansing Gel, that I purchased contains 200 ml. I paid $14.50 for it at Olfactory Company, 15 W. York St., Savannah. It is sold on Amazon via Beautyhabit for $19. If you’re a fan of light rose scents or if you like to try European products, give Roberts Acqua alle Rose Gel Detergente a try!
That cleanser sounds delectable! The rose scent sounds perfect for me! I might have to buy a bottle from Beautyhabit! Thank you for sharing it, Allison!
I think you’d love it, Helen!
I have never tried European products. Although when we were in the Charleston area there were many of these type of boutiques we never went into them. I love Rose scents though.
If you like rose scents, I think you would like this one, Sandy! It’s a lovely mild lightly fragrant treat for the skin. I had Jeff with me, and he hates shopping so I didn’t get a chance to spend as much time in Olfactory Company or other shops as I would have liked. Most of the shops near the Savannah riverfront and at their pedestrian mall were very touristy and sold mostly junk. But there were some shops throughout the historic district that I definitely could have spent more time in. Did you do any shopping or browsing in Charleston?
My first though when looking at the picture of the chandelier was that it was ugly. BUT I stopped and really looked at it, in the right room it would be fun and pretty to have. This is a Betsy Johnson type of chandelier she would love it.
Exactly, Gloria! At first I thought it was too busy, but then I realized that it was in a very busy space. In the right room (a simple room without a lot of stuff), it would be gorgeous, stylish, and it would be the focal point. It was for sale but I didn’t ask the price, lol
LOVE the design of the label. It gives that vintage feel! I’m always afraid of a cleanser that doesn’t lather. But this sounds really good especially for very sensitive skin.
I used to feel that way too, Natoya, preferring foaming cleansers. I don’t know what changed in my mind – maybe using cream cleansers? – because now I can go either way. This is a really nice cleanser especially if you’re a rose scent lover 🙂
That store is gorgeous. I love colorful chandeliers like that! I would totally use this as a makeup remover.
That chandelier is lovely! I actually quite like cleansers that don’t foam.
I like mild lather cleansers, they feel a little less strippy!
What a great find. I love the label and bottle, very upscale vintage feel.
I love the packaging!
I’m not a huge rose fan but I’m loving the packaging that they have!
Love the pretty bottle. You’re brave picking out a facial cleanser with a label in Italian lol! At least you have enough Italian under your belt to know it was for your face!
I studied Italian a while back, and it’s much easier to read Italian than to speak it. But the font on the label was so teeny tiny I couldn’t see it!
The store you described is something I would enjoy, esp the interiors. This looks likea ncie and gentle cleanser.
I just saw on Facebook that the store I bought it in will be closed for the month of September because a movie is going to be filmed on their street. Glad it was open when I was there. It was a very cool store. Courtney/Phyrra would like it, I think, too
I’m all for rose but I’m not sure if I could get used to the no-lather!
This does sound nice for some of those who have sensitive skin!
I love a gentle cleanser for my sensitive skin.
This sounds really nice and the price point is just perfect!
I am a huge fan of rose scent so this sounds right up my alley.
If you love rose scent, you’d love this one, Katie!
I like the vintage look of the bottle!