- Joined
- Monday July 20, 2009
Hi guys,
We talk a lot about creams, soaps, blades etc. Yet, one of the most satisfying things can be a good Aftershave (balm).
I got bored yesterday and thought I'd check out the ingredients of a few AS balms/creams I have. All are at a similar price point (except the nivea)
1. Clinique 'Be Happy' Aftershave balm £25 100ml
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.clinique.co.uk/templates/products/sp_nonshaded.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CAT1034&PRODUCT_ID=PROD1045#" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.clinique.co.uk/templates/pro ... =PROD1045#</a><!-- m -->
Key Features that are true: Lightweight 'feel'. Ok moisturiser + ok soother. 'cologne-style' scent. Oil Free, but there is a slight greasiness to it that will leave your face looking a bit dewy.
Ingredients
water\aqua\eau, cyclopentasiloxane , sodium chloride , peg/ppg-18/18 dimethicone, parfum) , bisabolol , aloe barbadensis leaf juice , caprylyl glycol , sodium hyaluronate , laureth-4 , hexylene glycol , laureth-23 , citronellol , linalool , benzyl salicylate , butylphenyl methylpropional , limonene , trisodium edta , phenoxyethanol , Parabens
2. Lab Series Razor Burn Relief AS Balm £25 100ml
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.mankind.co.uk/Lab-Series-for-Men-Razor-Burn-Relief-Ultra-100ml-PRODLAPS6/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.mankind.co.uk/Lab-Series-for ... PRODLAPS6/</a><!-- m -->
Key Features that are true: Lightweight 'feel' + Outstanding Soother. Ok moisturiser. When I first started, I had some terrible, terrible shaves yet this balm made my face feel fine. Fragrance Free, Oil Free.
Interesting Ingredients
Water\Aqua\Eau , Ceteareth-12, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glyceryl Stearate Se ,Diethylhexyl Succinate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Coffea Robusta Seed Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract , Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, Sea Whip Extract, Betula Alba Juice, Bisabolol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Caffeine, Glycosaminoglycans, Sodium Dna, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cholesterol, Galactoarabinan, Linoleic Acid, Phytosphingosine, Peg-10 Soy Sterol, Glycine, Glycerin, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate ,Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria, Ethylhexyl Stearate , Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile) ,Sodium Beta-Sitosteryl Sulfate , Stearyl Alcohol , Polyquaternium-10 ,Ceteareth-20, Potassium Stearate, Xanthan Gum ,Stearic Acid ,Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Hexylene Glycol,Trisodium Edta, Phenoxyethanol ., Methylparaben, Propylparaben
I passed a few samples between friends and we found that the major difference between the Clinique and Lab balms was the scent and the fact that the LAB balm soothes a lot more, but ONLY if you have had a bad shave. And, the clinique was ever so slightly more 'spreadable' than the Lab balm.
It's interesting that there isn't a major difference in performance between these 2 if you've had a 'normal' shave, yet the number of ingredients in each are very different. Coloured font highlights similar ingredients.
Got me thinking: Why did the guys at Lab Series bother putting in all that exotic stuff if the performance and 'feel' of their product is very similar to Cliniques, even though the clinique contains very few ingredients. One could argue that the Lab Series Balm soothese a lot better, but then surely if your shaves are causing you lots of burn/nicks than you need to change your razor/technique?
I'd happily recommend both for people with normal to slightly oily skin. You only need a small amount so they should last a long time. The clinique scent is nice. People with dry skin should get something more moisturising. The Lab Series Balm is also marketed to those with Sensitive skin.
3. Gentlemen's Tonic Babassu and Bergamot Aftershave Cream - £25 125ml
Posh Cream (not balm) found in places like Browns, Harvey Nics etc.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.gentlemenstonic.co.uk/Shop/ProductDescription.aspx?ProductID=6" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.gentlemenstonic.co.uk/Shop/P ... roductID=6</a><!-- m -->
Ingredients - See Attached Picture
[attachment=0]
Key Features that are true: Very good for moisturisation + Very nice, refined, gentleman-ly scent. I've only just got this one and used it once, so will update with more info soon...
And finally, to give an idea of where these compare to something many of us have used:
4. Nivea Sensitive Aftershave Balm - About £5.
Ingredients (From my old bottle - circa. 2007ish)
WATER, CYCLOMETHICONE, GLYCERYL LANOLATE, PANTHENOL, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, ISOPROPYL PALMITATE, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, BISABOLOL, ALLANTOIN, WITCH HAZEL DISTILLATE, SD ALCOHOL 39-C, SOYBEAN OIL, CALENDULA OFFICINALIS EXTRACT, CITRIC ACID, TRICETEARETH-4 PHOSPHATE, CARBOMER, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, PHENOXYETHANOL, METHYLPARABEN, ETHYLPARABEN, PROPYLPARABEN, BUTYLPARABEN, FRAGRANCE
I found the Clinique, Lab Series and Gentlemen's Tonic ASs easily beat the nivea for soothing and moisturising properties. IF you want More moisturising, go for the Gentlemen's Tonic. If you want soothing, go for the Lab balm. IF you want a bit of everything (including a nice scent) go for the clinique or for value, the Nivea. I have used the Nivea for years and it represents excellent value for money.
Still to try:
Coral Skin Food by Trumpers - I tried it once and it was ok. A bit lightweight but I'd like to give it another go.
Dr Harris - AS Milk - Heard great reviews about this one.
We talk a lot about creams, soaps, blades etc. Yet, one of the most satisfying things can be a good Aftershave (balm).
I got bored yesterday and thought I'd check out the ingredients of a few AS balms/creams I have. All are at a similar price point (except the nivea)
1. Clinique 'Be Happy' Aftershave balm £25 100ml
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.clinique.co.uk/templates/products/sp_nonshaded.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CAT1034&PRODUCT_ID=PROD1045#" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.clinique.co.uk/templates/pro ... =PROD1045#</a><!-- m -->
Key Features that are true: Lightweight 'feel'. Ok moisturiser + ok soother. 'cologne-style' scent. Oil Free, but there is a slight greasiness to it that will leave your face looking a bit dewy.
Ingredients
water\aqua\eau, cyclopentasiloxane , sodium chloride , peg/ppg-18/18 dimethicone, parfum) , bisabolol , aloe barbadensis leaf juice , caprylyl glycol , sodium hyaluronate , laureth-4 , hexylene glycol , laureth-23 , citronellol , linalool , benzyl salicylate , butylphenyl methylpropional , limonene , trisodium edta , phenoxyethanol , Parabens
2. Lab Series Razor Burn Relief AS Balm £25 100ml
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.mankind.co.uk/Lab-Series-for-Men-Razor-Burn-Relief-Ultra-100ml-PRODLAPS6/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.mankind.co.uk/Lab-Series-for ... PRODLAPS6/</a><!-- m -->
Key Features that are true: Lightweight 'feel' + Outstanding Soother. Ok moisturiser. When I first started, I had some terrible, terrible shaves yet this balm made my face feel fine. Fragrance Free, Oil Free.
Interesting Ingredients
Water\Aqua\Eau , Ceteareth-12, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glyceryl Stearate Se ,Diethylhexyl Succinate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Coffea Robusta Seed Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract , Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, Sea Whip Extract, Betula Alba Juice, Bisabolol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Caffeine, Glycosaminoglycans, Sodium Dna, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cholesterol, Galactoarabinan, Linoleic Acid, Phytosphingosine, Peg-10 Soy Sterol, Glycine, Glycerin, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate ,Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria, Ethylhexyl Stearate , Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile) ,Sodium Beta-Sitosteryl Sulfate , Stearyl Alcohol , Polyquaternium-10 ,Ceteareth-20, Potassium Stearate, Xanthan Gum ,Stearic Acid ,Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Hexylene Glycol,Trisodium Edta, Phenoxyethanol ., Methylparaben, Propylparaben
I passed a few samples between friends and we found that the major difference between the Clinique and Lab balms was the scent and the fact that the LAB balm soothes a lot more, but ONLY if you have had a bad shave. And, the clinique was ever so slightly more 'spreadable' than the Lab balm.
It's interesting that there isn't a major difference in performance between these 2 if you've had a 'normal' shave, yet the number of ingredients in each are very different. Coloured font highlights similar ingredients.
Got me thinking: Why did the guys at Lab Series bother putting in all that exotic stuff if the performance and 'feel' of their product is very similar to Cliniques, even though the clinique contains very few ingredients. One could argue that the Lab Series Balm soothese a lot better, but then surely if your shaves are causing you lots of burn/nicks than you need to change your razor/technique?
I'd happily recommend both for people with normal to slightly oily skin. You only need a small amount so they should last a long time. The clinique scent is nice. People with dry skin should get something more moisturising. The Lab Series Balm is also marketed to those with Sensitive skin.
3. Gentlemen's Tonic Babassu and Bergamot Aftershave Cream - £25 125ml
Posh Cream (not balm) found in places like Browns, Harvey Nics etc.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.gentlemenstonic.co.uk/Shop/ProductDescription.aspx?ProductID=6" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.gentlemenstonic.co.uk/Shop/P ... roductID=6</a><!-- m -->
Ingredients - See Attached Picture
[attachment=0]
Key Features that are true: Very good for moisturisation + Very nice, refined, gentleman-ly scent. I've only just got this one and used it once, so will update with more info soon...
And finally, to give an idea of where these compare to something many of us have used:
4. Nivea Sensitive Aftershave Balm - About £5.
Ingredients (From my old bottle - circa. 2007ish)
WATER, CYCLOMETHICONE, GLYCERYL LANOLATE, PANTHENOL, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, ISOPROPYL PALMITATE, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, BISABOLOL, ALLANTOIN, WITCH HAZEL DISTILLATE, SD ALCOHOL 39-C, SOYBEAN OIL, CALENDULA OFFICINALIS EXTRACT, CITRIC ACID, TRICETEARETH-4 PHOSPHATE, CARBOMER, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, PHENOXYETHANOL, METHYLPARABEN, ETHYLPARABEN, PROPYLPARABEN, BUTYLPARABEN, FRAGRANCE
I found the Clinique, Lab Series and Gentlemen's Tonic ASs easily beat the nivea for soothing and moisturising properties. IF you want More moisturising, go for the Gentlemen's Tonic. If you want soothing, go for the Lab balm. IF you want a bit of everything (including a nice scent) go for the clinique or for value, the Nivea. I have used the Nivea for years and it represents excellent value for money.
Still to try:
Coral Skin Food by Trumpers - I tried it once and it was ok. A bit lightweight but I'd like to give it another go.
Dr Harris - AS Milk - Heard great reviews about this one.