As stated here previously, Savannah turned out a treasure trove of bleeding edge cool that I most definitely did not expect. One element of that was Prospector Co., an apothecary and general store in the heart of Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) land. Next door to Marc by Marc Jacobs.
Prospector Co. Burroughs Body Cleanser & Gleaner’s Facial Scrub
Initially, I was unmoved. I am happy with my Dr. Bronner’s and Aveda.
To replace an abrasive product I’d stopped using, I bought a jar of the Gleaner’s facial scrub from Prospector. Before I used it, I smelled it, and it has a great scent, though difficult to characterize. Sorta like unsweetened almond meal. Very vegetal and clean. Sorta what Aveeno should be, based on its packaging promises.
In use, it is gentle and subtly foamy. Leaves the face noticeably oil-free, without being squeaky-clean or dry.
It is made primarily with wheat germ oil, rice bran oil, and wheat protein. I don’t know enough about chemistry to judge those ingredients, but their effect tells me plenty.
Just the other week, I ordered a body wash I’d smelled in store but forgone. It is full of calendula, chamomile, and aloe, but scented with the brand’s signature beard oil scent “burroughs.” Again, it is all woodsy, leather, and wet ground, without the cloying sweet that you get with more mainstream body washes or hygienic products. Very Home Depot.
It doesn’t lather as well as Dr. Bronner’s, but the scent is still sexy and perfect for fall, and it has a similar conclusion in that it doesn’t leave a residue, or feel like it won’t wash off easily.
I also ordered a Burroughs candle, but it shattered in transit, so I am waiting on that from Prospector Co.
In my short time as a discerning consumer, I’ve learned a thing or two about the business. You can have a great product or great branding, but without both, you’re likely to fail. Both are present in this case.
SCAD students were undoubtedly involved, so it’s no surprise that the industrial design and packaging, as well as the design of the Prospector store and website, both very clean and minimal (without being sterile), speak to the mantra of the company: wares with purpose. Nothing frilly, irrelevant, or unnecessary.
It harks back to a time when everything was this straightforward. In a loud, frenetic time of ads, messaging, and algorithms, more products should be like Gleaner’s and Burroughs Body Cleanser.
If you’re in Savannah, check out Prospector Co. at 320 West Broughton Street. Or find them online.
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