Saphir Renovateur vs Pommadier – What’s the Difference?

If you’ve started exploring the world of high-quality shoe care, you’ve probably heard about Saphir Renovateur and Saphir Pommadier Cream Polish. Both products come from the prestigious Saphir Médaille d’Or line, and both are staples for leather care. But what exactly do they do, and when should you use one over the other?

Let’s break it down:

What Is Saphir Renovateur?

Saphir Renovateur is often described as the “liquid gold” of shoe care. It’s primarily a nourishing conditioner that penetrates leather to keep it supple, moisturized, and free from cracking. This is, of course, when applied accurately.

• Contains mink oil, lanolin, and beeswax.
• Revives dried-out leather and restores flexibility.
• Leaves a soft, natural shine without adding much pigment.
• Best used as a base coat before cream or wax polish.

Think of Renovateur as skincare for your shoes — the moisturizer that keeps the leather healthy before you apply color or shine.

What Is Saphir Pommadier Cream Polish?

The Pommadier Cream Polish is a pigmented cream designed to restore color and shine while still nourishing the leather.

• Comes in dozens of colors for precise shade-matching.
• Adds depth, richness, and vibrancy to leather.
• Contains natural waxes and shea butter for conditioning.
• Great for covering light scuffs and evening out the finish.

Unlike Renovateur, Pommadier is not a neutral product — it enhances and revives the color of your shoes while still conditioning them. But it does have a neutral option for those who simply want to quickly nourish and shine their shoes without adding color.

When to Use Renovateur vs Pommadier

Use Renovateur When:

• Your leather shoes feel dry, stiff, or have been through a heavy day of rain (after drying, of course).
• You want to condition and clean before polishing.
• You prefer a natural finish without heavy color or shine.

Use Pommadier When:

• Your shoes need a color refresh.
• You want to cover scuffs or fading.
• You want more shine than Renovateur alone provides.

Pro Tip: Use Them Together

For best results, use both products in a routine. Start with a thin coat of Renovateur to condition, then follow with Pommadier in a matching color to restore richness and shine. Over time, this routine extends the life of your shoes and keeps the leather looking its best. If you do not wish to use a colored pommadier, the neutral version will give you a gleaming shine without adding pigment.

Final Thoughts

Saphir Renovateur vs Pommadier Cream Polish should really read ‘Renovateur + Pommadier.’ Both are essential for anyone serious about shoe care. Renovateur keeps the leather soft and healthy, while Pommadier revives the color and adds polish and shine. Together, they form the foundation of a professional-quality shoe care routine. Trust me, I have been using them for nearly 15 years now, shining shoes professionally and for my shoe clients!

So the real question isn’t which one to buy — it’s which one to use first.

Read more about Saphir products here.

Find your Saphir Shoe Care at www.kirbyallison.com

—Justin FitzPatrick, The Shoe Snob

Shop · Marketplace · J.FitzPatrick Footwear · Patreon