Simpson Sandalwood Pre-Shave Oil Review
Simpson Sandalwood Pre-Shave Oil
The Simpson Sandalwood Pre-Shave Oil provides a good slick undercoat of added protection before shaving, and it has a great ingredient profile that I like. It is not my favorite sandalwood scent and is a bit mild; however, some gents may prefer that mildness.
Pros
It has a very good ingredient profile for protecting the skin during and post shave
It pairs very well with Simpson Sandalwood Shaving Cream
My skin felt soft and calm after shaving
I can use a small amount, and it goes a long way
The mild scent might be preferred by some men
Cons
In some countries, including the US, you might struggle to buy it at a good price
The scent may be too mild or even musky for some gents
I had to remove the dropper as it was hard to get drops to come out
I first tried out and reviewed the Simpson Sandalwood Shaving Cream and found it a decent option for its price point.
I then added a few drops of Simpson Sandalwood Pre-Shave Oil to a few shave sessions to see if it gave me the added protection a pre-shave should, among other things.
It was not quite the TOBS Sandalwood Pre-Shave I recently used and reviewed. However, it was cheaper and decent!
Description and Features
The 50ml/1.69fl.oz bottle is dark colored, and it’s that dark. It is quite hard to gauge how much will be left.
The top end of where we crew top off has a plastic droplet type thing, which we shake, and that gets drops out. It’s a good applicator in theory, but it is way too hard to get drops out (it’s like shaking the last bit of sauce from a tomato ketchup bottle), so I ended up pulling that plastic droplet thing out.
Ingredients and Functions
The Simpson stuff has quite a list of ingredients for a pre-shave oil that aims to do a lot of good for our skin during shaving and post-shave.
- Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil: A thick, moisturizing oil that softens hair and creates a protective barrier on the skin, reducing irritation during shaving. Generally safe but may feel heavy or clog pores for oily or acne-prone skin.
- Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil: A lightweight oil rich in antioxidants and fatty acids that nourish and moisturize the skin. It’s gentle and unlikely to cause irritation, making it suitable for most skin types.
- Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil: A deeply moisturizing oil that hydrates the skin and softens hair for smoother shaving. It’s rich in antioxidants but can feel greasy for some and might clog pores if overused.
- Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride: A lightweight, non-greasy emollient derived from coconut oil, it helps lock in moisture and smooth the skin. It’s generally non-irritating and suitable for sensitive skin.
- Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil: A nourishing oil that moisturizes and helps restore the skin barrier with its rich fatty acid content. It’s generally safe but may be a concern for those with soy allergies.
- Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E): A skin-conditioning agent and antioxidant that helps protect the skin from environmental damage and soothes irritation. It’s typically safe but may cause sensitivity in rare cases.
- Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Extract: A soothing and hydrating ingredient that helps calm irritation and reduce redness. It’s generally well-tolerated and beneficial for sensitive or irritated skin.
This pre-shave oil looks like it contains rich nourishing and moisturizing oils (Castor, Sunflower, Olive, Soybean, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride) and soothing agents like Aloe Vera and Vitamin E. However, the Parfum (Fragrance) could cause irritation for sensitive skin, and individuals with soy allergies may want to avoid Soybean Oil. I recommend patch testing for those with sensitive or reactive skin.
I didn’t realize it contained so much good stuff in it until I wrote this review.
Scent
Simpson states on their website regarding the scent:
A rich Sandalwood accord with supporting notes of Geranium, Patchouli, Musk and Tonka bean ensure your skin inherits all that is great from this classical scent.
The Tonka part of the parfum profile is likely what gives me the woody element, and I get some floral notes. The fragrance isn’t a fresh floral, it is more musky.
It’s somewhat more of a deeper woodsy sandalwood compared to TOBS Sandalwood Pre-Shave Oil, which has more distinct floral top notes.
It is not overpowering and could be a little too mild for some who prefer strong scents.
Pre-Shave Experience
I used the pre-shave a few times before writing up this review and paired it with the Sandalwood Cream made by Simspon.
That droplet top being hard to get drops out of the bottle was a small hindrance until I removed it. It was fine–when just pouring a small amount on my hand from the actual bottle anyway.
The oil thickness was very good but not as thick as TOBS (maybe some guys are happier with a thinner oil). It was thicker than the Bluebeards Revenge Pre-Shave Oil I recently used and reviewed.
It massaged well into the stubble and felt good–kind of soothing, and I only needed a few drops on every use.
It gave me the additional protection I would expect from a pre-shave while shaving and more so than when using the shaving cream alone.
While the scent was mild, I still got a musky and woodsy pleasantness when I was applying it and letting it soak in.
My skin felt soft and comforted post-shave, so this stuff ticked more than a couple of boxes.
Value for Money
One area that Simpson’s wins on compared to other great brands is its price point, but that is in the UK as it is a British brand.
In the US, the prices vary quite a lot, and a bottle costs $15 – $19. In the UK, prices also vary, but a bottle from Simpson’s at the moment will cost only £8, but you’ll need to include postage costs too.
There are cheaper options in the US, like Taconic, but this stuff does have a particular ingredient profile that you might want that the others dont.
Final Thoughts – Should You Try It?
If I were looking for a thick pre-shave oil with a strong scent, I would not go for the Simpson Sandalwood Pre-Shave as the TOBS Sandalwood beats it hands down.
However, if I was looking for a pre-shave that offers more nourishing ingredients that can also look after the skin post-shave, then this stuff is an excellent choice. If you also like a deeper woodsy but mild scent, then that is an extra box ticked.
It might come down to the cost compared to others if you are from the US, but if you’re from the UK, then getting a bottle for around £10 is pretty much a bargain.
