Clear or Natural Wood Finishes

When you’re finishing wood, it’s easy to get confused between a clear finish and a natural wood look finish. They sound similar — and both aim to protect the wood without hiding its grain — but they’re actually a bit different in how they look and feel.

A clear finish, like Osmo Polyx Oil is just that: clear. It doesn’t add any colour, so the natural grain and tone of the wood stay visible. However, depending on the product, it might still slightly darken the wood or give it a warm tone, especially with oils or traditional varnishes. Clear finishes come in different sheens — from matt and satin to full gloss — and can make the surface feel smoother or shinier than raw timber. They're great if you want to show off the wood's character while giving it some added depth and protection.

A natural wood look finish like Ciranova Hardwax Oil, on the other hand, is designed to keep the wood looking as close to unfinished as possible. These products often have special additives (like tiny amounts of white pigment) to stop the wood from darkening or yellowing after application. The idea is to make it look like you haven’t applied anything at all — just beautifully clean, dry wood that happens to be water- and stain-resistant. These finishes usually have a matt or ultra-matt sheen, and they’re popular in modern homes where a natural, subtle look is preferred.

Key Differences:
• Clear finishes are transparent but can slightly darken or warm the wood.
• Natural wood look finishes aim to keep the timber looking totally untreated.
• Clear products often enhance grain and add depth or shine.
• Natural look finishes are ultra-matt and subtle — no gloss or colour change.
• Choose clear for warmth and character, or natural look for raw, pale simplicity.

In short, a clear finish protects and enhances, while a natural wood look finish protects without changing the look much at all.

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Displaying 7 products

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  4.9/5.0  (1761)
£1.55 - £367.46
Save up to 7%
The original clear, hard wax oil from Osmo suitable for most interior wood surfaces.
  • 2 coats
  • 24m² per litre
  • 8 hrs drying time
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Available in 5ml sample, 125ml, 375ml, 750ml, 2.5L, 10L
  5.0/5.0  (504)
A high quality wax polish for interior wood in clear and coloured versions. Can be buffed to a high sheen.
  • 2 coats
  • 10m² per litre
  • 10 mins drying time
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Available in 400ml, 5L
  4.8/5.0  (223)
A durable, hard wax oil that better retains the natural, untreated look of lighter coloured timbers such as oak and pine.
  • 2 coats
  • 24m² per litre
  • 4 hrs drying time
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Available in 5ml sample, 250ml, 1L, 2.5L
  5.0/5.0  (7)
A clear acrylic varnish with a silky wax finish. Ideal for use on a range of interior wooden surfaces including new wood and MDF.
  • 2-3 coats
  • 15m² per litre
  • 30 mins drying time
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Available in 100ml, 500ml, 1L, 4L
A fast drying maintenance oil suitable for use with oiled wooden surfaces
  • 1 coat
  • 60m² per litre
  • 4 hrs drying time
A water-based PU impregnating oil for parquet and wooden furniture
  • 3 coats
  • 12m² per litre
  • 24 hrs drying time
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Available in 100ml, 1L, 5L
  4.7/5.0  (14)
A matt finish all-in-one translucent wood stain that colours, protects, feeds and enhances exterior wood and joinery
  • 2 coats
  • 26m² per litre
  • 12 hrs drying time
More info
Available in 5ml sample, 125ml, 750ml, 2.5L