Akaezo Spruce

Akaezo spruce from Shimokawa

Akaezo spruce is one of the characteristic conifers of Hokkaido, and the essential oil I use comes from Shimokawa in the north of the island.

It comes from the same small forestry community as the todo fir oil, but the character is different. Akaezo spruce has a fuller, more resinous scent, with a deeper forest character than todo fir.

The essential oil is produced in very small quantities. The trees are not cut specifically for essential-oil production; fresh needles and branches available through forestry work are distilled instead. That means the amount of oil that can be produced is naturally limited.

I had a chance to visit Hokkaido, and Akaezo spruce stood out because it felt quite different from the citrus, mint and hinoki oils — darker, resinous and unmistakably northern.

The balm

Akaezo Spruce combines organic jojoba oil and olive-derived squalane to help soften and condition the skin, with shea butter and white beeswax for richness and to help reduce moisture loss.

Its only added scent is the single akaezo spruce essential oil from Shimokawa, Hokkaido.

Made with 100% natural-origin ingredients.

No petroleum jelly or mineral oil.

Handmade in small batches in the Cotswolds.