Simpson Sandalwood Shaving Cream Review – Mild, Musky and Woodsy
Simpson Sandalwood Shaving Cream
The scent of the Simpson Sandalwood Shaving Cream is mild, musky, and woodsy, with some citrus and geranium notes. The cream lathers up very quickly and provides the slickness required for a well-lubricated shave experience.
Pros
A small amount was required, about the size of a large almond (a tub will go a long way)
It lathers up very quickly
The mild scent might suit guys who don't want an overpowering fragrance
Provided enough slickness and lubrication to protect my skin while shaving
Cons
The scent might be too mild for some gents
It contains some possible irritants (likely in only very small amounts), so check the ingredients list provided
Seemed to dry up quickly at times, but that could be just me
Most of us think of shaving brushes when the brand Simpsons comes to mind, and rightly so–they make some of the brushes on the market.
I had no idea they had three shaving creams available, so I swiftly purchased the stack of three, which includes Simpson Sandalwood, Lime, and Bay Rum.
Simspons are pretty smart as they have chosen only three scents, and all three of these are very popular.
A very fair price point when compared to others like Taylor of Old Bond Street, Geo. F.Trumpers and others, but I am not convinced it quite hits the mark compared to creams I have tested and reviewed recently like the Taylor of Old Bond Street Oud and Geo.F. Trumper Spanish Leather Cream.
Description and Features
As mentioned, I got myself a trio of 180ml (6.08fl.oz) tubs. The tub is a standard twist cap top but does not have the notches on the side of the cap that make opening and closing just that bit easier not a deal breaker, but noted).
The tub comes boxed!
As I usually do, I popped open the cap for a quick whiff, and I did not get a decent nose full of scent, but more about that in the scent section below.
Ingredients
The cream is glycerin-based, which helps the lather become and stay hydrated and contributes to the glide. We’ve also got the Stearic and Myristic Acid to get the creaminess and thickness going.
Other ingredients act as emollients (moisturize and hydrate) and pH balancing (Potassium hydroxide), among others, to create a good, stable, and thick hydrated lather.
There are quite a few oils in the mix that make up the fragrance, and Pogostemon Cablin (Patchouli) Leaf Oil may offer skin benefits alongside its woody and earthy scent.
The full list of ingredients below might be worth checking out if you have concerns about sensitivities.
Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Stearic Acid, Myristic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Coconut Fatty Acid, glycerin, Parfum (Fragrance), Sodium Hydroxide, Triethanolamine, Bulnesia Sarmienti (Guaiacwood) Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens (Geranium) Flower Oil, Pogostemon Cablin (Patchouli) Leaf Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Cinnamal, Citronellol, Coumarin, Limonene, Geraniol.
Scent
When I first opened the tub, I got a whiff of the sandalwood mix, but not that strong compared to the scent of others I have used and reviewed recently.
Simpsons States– A rich Sandalwood accord with supporting notes of Geranium, Patchouli, Musk & Tonka Bean.
Did you spot the tonka bean and wonder what that was? I did, too, and googled it and found it likely contributes to the woody element of the scent.
I definitely get the musky and woody elements at the base, alongside some top notes of citrus and geranium in the middle.
The mild scent was apparent while shaving and pleasant, but after the shave, it left very quickly. Mildly scented might suit guys who are planning on applying some splash without a clash.
Lather and Shaving Experience
I used the cream on a few occasions before reviewing it here. I also used it on a couple of video reviews with the Merkur 23C and Edwin Jagger DE89.
As with most shaving creams, I only required a finger full, about the size of a big almond. That was enough to build up a lather for a shave, but I found myself adding a little more to the brush a couple of times to top it up.
I bowl lathered and face lathered to see what suited me best and found I got along a bit better with bowl lathering. It was just easier to get the water ratio right, and face lathering with my Simspon Trafalgar T3 Synthetic Brush seemed to get overly thin or the opposite–dripping (maybe my skills need improving).
Whipping up the lather was very quick, and it reminded me of Proraso Shaving Cream in more ways than one.
It’s a thirsty lubricant, which is okay as long as it does not dry out too quickly. It did dry quite quickly, though!
I also used it with Simpson Sandalwood Pre-Shave Oil and without the oil. The skin was dryish after without oil (which is quite normal), but the skin soon returned back to its normal state after an hour or so. With the Pre-Shave from Simpson, it was a better moisturizing feeling after, and I got that added protection.
Value For Money
I picked up my trio at a steal of a price in the UK, which was £20 for the three creams. A single tub ‘180ml (6.08fl.oz)’ costs £10 – £15, which is a good price point, and if bought for £10 (it’s a bargain).
In the USA, a tub will cost anything from $19 – $25, which is about a standard price for many of these creams made in England.
Final Thoughts – Who Is It Best Suited For?
A pleasant, mild sandalwood-scented shaving cream that lathers up rapidly and provides enough slickness to glide a razor (to do its job and protect us).
I was not wowed at all, but sometimes that’s just how it is. I was not disappointed either.
If you are a sandalwood fan and like a mild scent that can still be enjoyed while shaving, then it’s a good option.
I am not sure if the thirstiness and slight drying up quickly was me or the cream, but it’s worth noting. It reminded me of the Proraso Red Sandalwood, which is a great affordable cream but not my favorite.
