Manscaping 101 Shaving Tips: Organic shaving creams–help or hype?
Living on the West Coast of Canada, I can’t swing a stick without hitting some add or product that is “organic” (allow me my pet peeve. In chemistry, something that has carbon is “organic”, so I’d like to see an apple without carbon, enough said). You can buy and “organic” version of just about everything now, including health & beauty and grooming products, so the question is: Are they worth it?
Trying out some spiffy new Google Blog Search searches I came upon this post for on organic shaving cream:
If you shave daily, organic shaving cream is the wisest choice because it wont cause irritation, dryness or skin rashes. There is no need to worry about allergic reactions, itching or other side effects because the ingredients are organic. It is easy on the skin while providing soothing moisture.–Organic Shaving Cream For Healthy Skin: Organic Shaving Cream - A Healthier Alternative
My gut reaction is, uh huh–pass. There are some things that I try to buy organic, but often the price difference is just too much. So would I pay a premium for shaving cream that is made from “all organic ingredients”? Yeah not likely.
Natural ingredients? Good stuff that I know is good for skin (shea butter, herbs, etc)? Yeah no problem.
My opinion is, unless proven otherwise by trying organic products, that they aren’t going to be worth the premium price. It’s going to have to be a really, really good shave to make it worth it. Having tried some stuff that gives a really, really good shave (and is premium priced), I can’t imagine how having organic ingredients is going to make a huge difference.
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POSTED IN: Shaving tips for men, Skin care for men
5 opinions for Manscaping 101 Shaving Tips: Organic shaving creams–help or hype?
justin
May 12, 2008 at 10:46 am
people with sensitive skin care more about whether there are lots of weird chemicals in their skin products than people with hearty skin.
people with environmental concerns about too many chemicals in the water system care more about whether there are lots of weird chemicals in their skin products too.
it’s also become a great marketing slogan.
ORGANIC!
Tris Hussey
May 12, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Justin, this is just the kind of comment I was hoping for. Yes, I thought of sensitive skin (but could “sensitive skin” products work as well).
The concern over chemicals is valid and coming up more and more.
Solution? I think we need to look at the whys and hows.
Personally I haven’t experienced benefits tremendous enough to warrant the extra money for organic grooming products.
Jason
May 12, 2008 at 6:30 pm
I use some organic grooming products and like them quite a bit. That said, I don’t find them to be that much more expensive and it is the lack of excessive chemicals as much as trying to support sustainable practices that drives my decision.
That said, I don’t use all organic. I use what works well. There are just as many organic products that are crappy or harsh as there are non-organic.
One thing I am strict about is animal testing. I don’t approve of it and I do my best to not buy products made that way.
Darrell Owens
May 13, 2008 at 6:33 am
Hi Tris,
I love reading about this and the point you made with the apple sums it up perfectly.
A writer we worked with also made a point once in one of her product reviews. She said, “Poison Ivy is organic too, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to rub it all over my body.” She went on to say that just because something is organic doesn’t always mean it’s better, just like not organic doesn’t automatically mean it’s bad.
Another interesting counterpoint I heard that has to do with the premium price associated with a lot of organic products (organic produce included), is that many times organic ingredients must be shipped from greater distances, which actually increases fuel and energy consumption.
So, with that organic apple…it may come with a Catch 22 that while it was produced with the environment in mind, it traveled further to get to you and in the long run, ended up being worse for the environment than the locally-grown, non-organic variety.
Anyhow - thanks and yours is great reading!
Darrell
Tris Hussey
May 13, 2008 at 7:58 am
Darrell, Thanks for the comment. Right on with the transpo issues … is the soap made down the street, but organic, better but if the stuff is sourced badly?
There aren’t simple answers to any of these questions.
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