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Pg 32 - The Green Guy’s GROOMING GUIDE
SHAVING BLISS
The quest for the perfect shaving potion.
By Kevin Raub
Most eco-conscious men are absolutely enamored with the idea of tossing out their toxic deodorants and shampoos in favor of organic grooming products, but let’s face it: The latter sometimes just don’t do the job. So unless you’re of the fanatic ilk—in other words, you put your eco-views ahead of your perfect ‘dos—you need a little guidance. So it’s with this in mind that we introduce The Green Guy’s Grooming Guide, a new column devoted entirely to weeding through the bad organic apples and finding eco-friendly grooming products for men that actually get the job done. In this issue, we take on shaving creams.
If you’re like me, you are constantly on the lookout for the perfect shave, and that usually involves a never-ending search for a perfect shaving cream. Just as I was starting to make some progress in my hunt through traditional shaving products, I found out most of them contain ingredients derived from beef and pork. Nauseating. So I decided to go natural, starting the process all over again with a whole new line of creams, gels, lotions, and foams. At 34, there’s still time left to discover shaving bliss.
My search begins on the low-end with Avalon Organics’ Peppermint and Aloe Unscented Moisturizing Cream Shave (8 ounces, $5.95, www.avalonorganics.com). First impressions are that it’s just a little too loose and inconsistent. Its’ stutter-start viscosity doesn’t offer a sleek enough surface for razors to glide over, which makes me feel like my precious face isn’t being protected every millimeter of the way. It probably works great on legs, though. Unfortunately, I’m not a cyclist.
I feel the same about Alba Organics’ Aloe Mint Moisturizing Foam Shave (5 ounces, $6.95, www.albaorganics.com), the closet thing here to old style foam shaving cream, but without the thickness. By the time you get to the last few strokes, it has irritatingly started to evaporate, but it afforded an extremely close shave nonetheless. There’s a pleasant minty tingle (from peppermint oil) and certified organic aloe, calendula, and green tea to refresh damaged skin. If you’re quick, this one does the job.
Jason 6-in-1 Beard & Skin Therapy All Natural Shaving Lotion (8 ounces, $6.60, www.jason-natural.com) is a different beast altogether. Jojobo beads give it a grainy texture, which defies shaving logic, but is designed to call hairs to attention and exfoliate along the way. To my surprise, they don’t cause the friction one would think, and organic aloe-vera gel, sesame and jojoba oils, and marigold extract keep things smooth and razor-rash free. Overall, it’s solid, and the addition here of numbing agent benzocaine — my favorite thing about chemical shaving creams — makes for an easier transition if you’re unsure about going au natural.
Men’s Stock City Rhythms shave cream (6 ounces, $6.95, www.aubrey-organics.com) from Aubrey Organics was the first one I truly loved. It emerges from the handy tube a bit reminiscent of antibiotic ointment, but it actually creates a nice, gooey barrier between your razor and face. Organic avocado and wheat germ oil along with witch hazel help provide a smooth, nick-free shave, and camphor, menthol, and organic eucalyptus offer a nice cooling element. I don’t usually digs scents, but the subtle cedar, sandalwood, and bergamot undertones are refreshing and vaguely masculine. Just like me.
Herban Cowboy makes man’s man shave wares, and its Premium Shave Cream Dusk (14 ounces, $15, www.herbancowboy.com) is an appropriate choice for your inner John Wayne. Consistency-wise, it’s the best of the bunch, gliding on smooth and attaching itself to your whiskers like an old-school brush and mug job. Organic aloe, coconut and olive oils, rosemary leaf, lavender flower, golden seal, yarrow root, sage extracts, and peppermint pump up the overall composition to 75 percent organic, a healthy dollop for a shave cream that actually works. It’s more expensive, but a little dab goes a long way. My only complaint about this one is the tub container. It’s unnecessarily bulky and definitely not travel-friendly. Still, best in show.
Miessence’s pricey Certified Organic Shaving Gel (8.5 ounces, $28.95, www.miessenceproducts.com) from Australia’s excellent ONE Group (the only import here) is a funny thing: On one hand, it’s too light and wet, immediately giving off the impression that it’s another organic product that just doesn’t work. It’s mud-colored and nearly odorless and contains no tingly ingredients whatsoever, which bucks shaving tradition. But somehow, it all comes together quite nicely. Organic aloe-vera eases irritation while organic safflower and xanthan gel soothe nicks and cuts. There’s even some organic St. Johns Wort in there. I’m not sure why, but I suspect it’s to brighten the mood of men who are perpetually pissed about the fact that they’re stuck with the mundane task of scraping razors across their faces every morning. Of course, if we truly converted to all natural, we’d all just have beards.
Contributing writer Kevin Raub is based out of Los Angeles. His work has appeared in Travel+Leisure, Town & Country Travel, and American Way.