Some products do not need high-tech ingredients to do their jobs effectively. Shoe polish is one of these: it simply contains quality waxes, oils and color pigments, which help it work its magic in a time-tested way. There are a few categories of shoe polish, though, which can be a bit confusing. The regular kind of polish contains waxes, which are applied to the leather and then buffed to achieve a nice shine.

Wax serves as a protective layer and provides a gleaming look. It can protect leather from the elements, too. When using wax polishes, be sure to clean the shoes with a leather cleaner at least once a year.Polish can make leather goods look like new, and it costs much less than completely replacing your shoes and purses. Leather loses its new look over time, as its outer layers slowly deteriorate. Providing regular TLC with shoe polish can keep your leather items looking great.