Taylor Of Old Bond Street Sandalwood Shaving Cream Review
Taylor of Old Bond Street Sandalwood Shaving Cream
The Taylor of Old Bond Street Sandalwood Shaving Cream, like other TOBS creams, lathers up easily and provides the necessary protection and lubrication during shaving. The scent is strong enough but not overpowering; however, the lather does dry out quickly.
Pros
It lathers up quickly and provides a slick lather when using a small amount
TOBS is a trusted brand that many of us wet shavers recommend
The Sandalwood scent was a nice floral, woodsy, spicy treat and lingered gently
Good value for money or price point
Cons
I guess TOBS does get thirsty and can dry out quite quickly, although it is easily overcome when adding a splash of water to the brush
TOBS (Taylor Of Old Bond Street) is right up there with the best shaving creams on the market, and Sandalwood must definitely be one of their best sellers.
The Sandalwood must be popular as it’s one of the very few TOBS pre-shaves that can be paired with their creams and shaving soaps (Taylor of Old Bond Street Sandalwood Pre-Shave Oil).
I plan to try other Sandalwood shaving creams, and I recently used and reviewed a tub of Simpsons Sandalwood. The plan is to find what’s best!
The last TOBS cream I used was the Taylor of Old Bond Street Oud Shaving Cream. That is a shockingly great scent!
In the review, I will run through what the cream features and tell you all about what I think of the scent, texture, and the experience during and after the shave.
Description and Features
The shaving cream comes in the standard 150g (5.3 fl. oz) tub with notches around the top cap to help us unscrew the cap.
Once the top cap is opened, you should see a hardish, cream-colored top layer and catch a gentle whiff of the scent.
Ingredients
TOBS Sandalwood is not one of those creams that tick the free-from, organic, vegan, or other boxes that some people require. So, if you are sensitive to skin, then check the ingredients list for any potential irritants.
Here’s a breakdown of the ingredients in this shaving cream, with explanations of what each does and any potential skin concerns.
- Stearic Acid: A fatty acid that helps thicken the cream and create a smooth, stable lather for easier shaving.
- Myristic Acid: Another fatty acid that contributes to creating a foamy lather; also acts as a cleanser.
- Potassium Hydroxide & Sodium Hydroxide: Used as pH adjusters and help to saponify (turn fats into soap) the fatty acids, creating a creamy texture. In high amounts, they can be irritating.
- Coconut Fatty Acid: Derived from coconut oil, it helps provide moisture and conditioning, making shaving smoother.
- Glycerin: A humectant that draws moisture to the skin, keeping it hydrated and soft.
- Triethanolamine: pH balancer and stabilizer that helps maintain a creamy consistency. Can cause irritation in sensitive skin with prolonged use.
- Benzyl Alcohol: Preservative and fragrance component. While it prevents bacterial growth, it can be drying and irritating for some.
- Methylchloroisothiazolinone & Methylisothiazolinone: Preservatives that protect against bacteria and mold. Known allergens that can cause skin irritation or sensitization with repeated exposure.
- Triethylene Glycol & Propylene Glycol: Moisturizing agents and humectants that help retain moisture in the skin. They can occasionally cause irritation in sensitive individuals.
- Magnesium Nitrate & Magnesium Chloride: Stabilizers that help maintain the product’s consistency.
- Linalool, Geraniol, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Eugenol, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Cinnamate, Evernia Furfuracea Extract, Evernia Prunastri Extract, Limonene, Coumarin: These are all naturally derived fragrance components. Many of them (like Limonene, Linalool, and Citronellol) are known allergens that can cause skin irritation, especially in sensitive or allergy-prone individuals.
That’s a common list of ingredients found in many traditional shaving creams, which help us whip up a good lubricant to create a lather.
Aqua (Water), Stearic Acid, Myristic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Coconut Fatty Acid, Glycerin, Parfum (Fragrance), Triethanolamine, Sodium Hydroxide, Benzyl Alcohol, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Triethylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Magnesium Nitrate, Magnesium Chloride, (Parfum Contains: Linalool, Geraniol, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Eugenol, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Cinnamate, Evernia Furfuracea Extract, Evernia Prunastri Extract, Limonene, Coumarin).
Scent
I like Sandalwood, but it has now become somewhat vanilla to me, and I look for something more, or maybe just different. However, Sandalwood is a popular option and usually has a good, musky, masculine scent that I would describe as a barbershop style.
I recently tried Simpson Sandalwood, and I am familiar with Proraso RED Sandalwood (both are very good). However, I prefer this one from TOBS; it has more scent.
A pleasant scent fills my nostrils as soon as I remove the tub lid, but not aggressively, and it’s enough to recognize it as Sandalwood.
I definitely get some light and fresh floral top notes, as well as something spicy (likely the Eugenol) and a woodsy middle note. The base notes remain floral, woodsy, and kind of warm. That’s what my nostrils tell me anyway!
The scent lingered for a couple of hours, which I appreciated. The lingering is not overpowering, though; it is just present.
Overall, it’s a great Sandalwood scent.
Lather and Shaving Experience
I am already a user of TOBS shaving creams, so I know what to expect.
I stuck with a tub of this for a fair few shaves, and with the latest safety razor YouTube videos.
It is very easy to lather, and I use about the size of a large almond, which is usually enough. I did face lather and bowl lather, and both were suitable with this cream.
When applied, it can become quite thirsty, which may be due to the presence of glycerin. The thirstiness required me to add a bit of extra water to the brush to keep the lather on my face hydrated. This dryness occurs with many creams and soaps, and it’s no big deal.
I got the protection I needed and plenty of lubrication that helped the razor glide.
I also used it with TOBS Sandalwood Pre-Shave after I tried it out without pre-shave first, and that was a real treat. If you enjoy scented shaving products, particularly those with a sandalwood scent, then this combo is a treat.
Post Shave
As always, I leave my skin bare when testing out a new shaving cream or soap to see how it affects my skin.
I was left with a nice soft feeling on my face after shaving, and while my skin was mildly dry, it soon came back to life after an hour or so without applying balm or anything else.
It was even softer and less dry when using it with the pre-shave oil.
Value For Money
TOBS creams get close to top marks in terms of price point. When I go for a price lower than this range, I usually find that the quality reduces somewhat.
In the US, you can pick up a tub for a little under $20, and in the UK, it’s around £16-£18.
A 75ml (2.5fl.oz) travel tube is also available and costs around $10 – $13 or £9 – £12.
Final Thoughts – Who Should Try It?
If you’re a gentleman who prefers a Sandalwood or fresh, woodsy floral scent, then the TOBS Sandalwood Shaving Cream ticks that box. It’s a quality lubricant at a decent price, which ticks another box for me.
The only issue I could see is that someone might be sensitive to some of the ingredients, as this is not a free-from style of cream.
I am definitely more of a fan of the Taylor of Old Bond Street Oud Shaving Cream—purely on the scent, as that stuff is just an absolute delight to my nostrils (scent is always subjective, of course).
