Mennen Skin Bracer question

[umgowa997]

I used Mennen Skin Bracer as a youth (way before the Mennen company was purchased by Colgate Palmolive) and I recall it had a certain scent to it. I've recently started using the stuff again and it seems to me that the scent has changed somewhat. I now detect a distinct aroma of vanilla to it. Has my sense of smell changed or have they changed the formulation?

 

[ShaveMan1962]

I agree. Years ago, I used Skin Bracer. I loved Cool Spice, but it isn't being made anymore and to purchase it on eBay will cost a small fortune.

I have detected a distinct change in the formula being used in the original green aftershave. I hate when they mess with a good thing. I still like it and it is still part of my rotation.

 

[GreekGuy]

I've always wondered if these companies think that we won't notice. I'm sure it was a cost cutting measure, but I doubt their test-panels are nearly as discriminating as us folks

 

[Inked Daddy]

I can't comment on older Skin Bracer but I was just posting a few weeks ago about how I detected Vanilla in the modern formulation.

 

[DirtyDave]

I can't tell you if the formula has changed or not, but to me the stuff smells the same. It was my dad's. He passed away over ten years ago and lord knows how long he had it before that.

To me, what is in the old bottle and what is available now smell the same.

 

[Deltaboy]

Smells the same to me. I miss the glass bottles.

 

[Tripnastic]

I managed to get my hands on some vintage Mennon, still in the box. As a matter of fact, my av is a scan of the picture off the box

Anyway, when I compare that smell with what they sell today there is virtually no difference as far as I can tell.

 

[sandmountainslim]

I use the Barbasol Brisk Skin Bracer clone which smells just like the Skin Bracer I remember as a kid.
Wp

 

[EL Alamein]

I managed to get my hands on some vintage Mennon, still in the box . .

. . . when I compare that smell with what they sell today there is virtually no difference as far as I can tell.

Same here. I did side by side comparisons on my arms etc and could not tell the difference, neither could my wife or children.

Chris

 

[e d o]

I have both. The current stuff has less menthol in it which makes it "less bracing". Scent is (very) slightly different. The new is a touch sweeter.

 

[BrianL]

No difference to my nose.

 

[Greggy_D]

I use the Barbasol Brisk Skin Bracer clone which smells just like the Skin Bracer I remember as a kid.
Wp

Same here. My dad wore Skin Bracer all the time and the Barbasol version smells just like him.

 

[Poots]

I went to the Colgate web page and sent them an email through their consumer affairs link and asked if the Skin Bracer product formula was changed in any way when they went to the plastic containers.

Here is the email response that I got back today:


“…Thank you for contacting us over the Internet about Skin Bracer Regular After Shave.

Skin Bracer Regular After Shave was converted to plastic bottles in 1996 and there has been no formula change in the product…”


So I guess it’s the same stuff…

 

[Tekka]

The plastic might be affecting the smell.

 

[mattface]

I've never been fond of skin bracer, never used it in the past, but I lament the move to plastic bottles in all things, and especially in something like after shave. There is a beautiful 60-70s vintage dimpled bottle more than half full at the local antique shop I'm considering buying just to have it.

 

[mattface]

I decided I needed the bottle! If I come to like the smell of the stuff I'll refill it with new skin bracer. If not I'll fill it with stuff I do like.


DSC_0001 by mattface, on Flickr