Natural products?

[Perkus]

Beginner with an attitude
I am new to DE shaving, previously having used a Phililps electric with red skin, double blade cartridges and mach 3. When Gillette decided to go 4+ blades and raising the price for mach3 ones, I had it.

Now I'm interested in creating the perfect shave for my face.

The market
I've been reading a lot about various products for enhancing the wetness, the smoothness, for after shave relief or some other characteristic by using one more expensive and exclusive brand than the other.

One thing the expensive products seem to have in common is the blend of "natural ingredients".

So, I thought to myself, why not try some truly natural ingredients out, by themselves?

Truly natural products
Currently I'm experimenting with two different oils I bought at the supermarket for just under 40 SEK - around seven US dollars - each. One is almond oil, and the other is walnut oil. These two I compare to extra virgin olive oil i steal from the kitchen.

Testing almond oil
I smear a few drops - very long lasting considering the amount in the bottle - on my face before lathering with my shaving soap. I haven't tried it instead of, but more as an additive to provide more glide for my Merkur Futur. It does the job nicely.

It also has a delicate smell I really enjoy and feels kind to the skin.

I even tried using it instead of my after shave lotion and discovered it provided me with excellent winter skin protection. Stockholm winters can really suck the moist out of your face, but the oil seems to provide an effective, long lasting effect. It might not work very well in the summer, though.

Testing walnut oil
This oil also works well for providing extra glide for the DE razor, but leaves my face feeling more dried out. It feels coarser, somehow. I might rephrase this after a few more uses.

The smell is, well, walnut. Either you like it, or you don't.


Testing olive oil
Using olive oil for the skin is ancient knowledge and I find this oil also giving a smooth glide when applied to the face before lathering.

The smell is lightly olivy, of course, using a fine make of extra virgin, but might be oppugnant in cheaper versions.

Summing up
As an alternative to more exotic blends from high end marks, I find using these oils a viable option, both as being more environmentally friendly and very cost efficient.

If you read this far, I would like to take the opportunity to open a discussion on what other suggestions there might be to make your shave more natural, while retaining the exclusive feel of high end brands.

 

[mretzloff]

I think the "all natural" thing is more marketing hype than anything. Many people believe that if something is all natural it is better, which is not always true. I believe companies play on this.

Of course it is good to know what is in the products you use and why it has been added, but if you decide to make your shave as natural as possible, you may very well find that almost no products fit that category.

Just my 2¢.

 

[ackvil]

I think the "all natural" thing is more marketing hype than anything. Many people believe that if something is all natural it is better, which is not always true. I believe companies play on this.

Of course it is good to know what is in the products you use and why it has been added, but if you decide to make your shave as natural as possible, you may very well find that almost no products fit that category.

Just my 2¢.

I agree, Matthew. There are, for example, many shaving creams that have something added to preserve them and they perform great.

 

[Perkus]

I think the "all natural" thing is more marketing hype than anything. Many people believe that if something is all natural it is better, which is not always true. I believe companies play on this.

Of course it is good to know what is in the products you use and why it has been added, but if you decide to make your shave as natural as possible, you may very well find that almost no products fit that category.

Just my 2¢.

I quite agree with you, but then I'm into trying out different variants right now. I'll try to remember to post my findings.

I was kinda hoping someone else had been thinking along the lines I am, but I could not find any posts with this thought, so I felt the urge to make a mark in the thread starting business.

 

[Crawford Montizano]

I think the "all natural" thing is more marketing hype than anything. Many people believe that if something is all natural it is better, which is not always true. I believe companies play on this.

Of course it is good to know what is in the products you use and why it has been added, but if you decide to make your shave as natural as possible, you may very well find that almost no products fit that category.

Just my 2¢.

Steel razors may come from a mint.
And here is a pretty good hint.
To be so natural,
And remain truly factual.
We must be shaving with flint.

 

[ackvil]

Steel razors may come from a mint.
And here is a pretty good hint.
To be so natural,
And remain truly factual.
We must be shaving with flint.

Your ditties are great!

 

[Perkus]

Steel razors may come from a mint.
And here is a pretty good hint.
To be so natural,
And remain truly factual.
We must be shaving with flint.

I take off my imaginary hat
and marvel, at that,
bowing before a true writ
with considerable wit.
Me? I'm a 46 year old brat.

I remember a lecture by English philosopher Peter Russel, where he said he sees a jumbo jet airplane in an airport as just as natural as a bird chirping away in his garden.

Why do we pay hundreds of our currency for chemical compounds? Because we can.

 

[Ceri]

Steel razors may come from a mint.
And here is a pretty good hint.
To be so natural,
And remain truly factual.
We must be shaving with flint.

flint's fine they say for a lass
but men use obsidian glass
no razor's as keen
and no shave so clean
taking stubble and skin in one pass

 

[Pkrankow]

Steel razors may come from a mint.
And here is a pretty good hint.
To be so natural,
And remain truly factual.
We must be shaving with flint.

flint's fine they say for a lass
but men use obsidian glass
no razor's as keen
and no shave so clean
taking stubble and skin in one pass

I'd rather use obsidian.
Phil

 

[Perkus]

flint's fine they say for a lass
but men use obsidian glass
no razor's as keen
and no shave so clean
taking stubble and skin in one pass

I like the quality of poetry in this thread - mine being somewhat inferior, but my appreciation of yours all the greater - with a sublime sense of humour and wit.

I was not far fetched in my assumption that venturing into this forum would entail interesting conversations.

 

[Thebigspendur]

I'd say you missed the boat here. Most folks would not want to use oil on their face as a shave medium. The reason they use soaps and creams has more to do with the luxury feel and scent they get which adds to the overall experience and of course they do work. Personally, I've found when you buy really natural products they under perform or have one or more negative qualities to them.

But thanks for your efforts. I'm sure there are many who think like you.

 

[Go West Young Man]

No shame in trying to reduce the number of industrial chemicals in your life.
The key is to avoid 'internet hysteria' and not assume that all chemicals are harmful or that all natural products are beneficial.

Or, for that matter, that 'chemicals' and 'natural products' are mutually exclusive groups!

 

[Perkus]

Well, I can just say for me the oils I've tested work very well.

I might come back with an update later on a comparison with some industry shaving oil, but for now, I'll work on perfecting my shaving skills, making supreme lather to got with the oil from my EJ soap and get that super angle on my Merkurs.

)
Perkus