The toiletries aisle is a troubling place for men with sensitive skin. Could an organic solution to an old problem spell salvation? JOE road-tests the Organic Homme range.
By Robert Carry
The original thinking behind the first male-specific grooming products appears to have been along the lines of, ‘If you’re a real man, your skin should have no problem enduring a chemical onslaught!’
The first male products were often simply stronger-smelling, harsher versions of what was being dished out to women with (in all seriousness) products like sodium lauryl sulphate, also used as engine degreaser, thrown in for good measure.
The ‘sensitive’ range of products has been taking up ever-increasing amounts of shelf-inch, but many can still leave a lot to be desired. Many will still involve alcohol, synthetic fragrances, preservative and various petrochemicals that have long been shown to do far more harm than good.
As with most good ideas, it seems strange that it nobody thought of doing it sooner. Nonetheless, Organics firm Green People has launched Organic Homme – a range of ten products that come minus the aggravating chemicals.
It is branded as appropriate for all skin types, but the firm also makes the bold statement of saying that it is also suitable for people prone to acne, eczema or psoriasis.
Somebody at Green People must have a guilty conscience because not only are the products made with certified organic formulations but the ingredients are fare traded and 10 per cent of the company’s net profits are donated to charity. Buy this stuff and you’ll be well positioned to pass down judgement on the toiletries of your non-charitable, non-organic, non-fair trade, battery-egg eating friends.
Okay so we’ll go to heaven if we use the range, but is it any good? JOE road-tested four products to find out.
Organic Homme Wash and Shave
The Claim: Plant protein gently foams and helps prevent razor burn. Aloe Vera calms and soothes sensitive skin. Citrus for a refreshing sense of well-being.
The verdict: This is interesting for a number of reasons, not least because it does the job both of facewash and shaving foam at the same time. You rub the gel into your face like a face wash and then shave while it’s still on your face before rinsing off. It’s an interesting system that works perfectly well.
Pre-shave oils, creams and gels have been hammering the notion that you have to restrict yourself to old school shaving foams for some time, and this is another boot in the balls to the can of cream that once dominated.
The smell of the product, as is the case with the rest of the range, jumps out at you by virtue of the fact that it is so different from what we’ve become accustomed to. You really expect a chemical sharp scent from all grooming products and it takes a couple of sniffs to get used to the idea of something else.
I could see this being a Marmite product. One of the lads on the JOE team took a whiff and immediately decided it wasn’t for him. I didn’t find the smell at all unpleasant, and actually started to quite like it. Climb up your nearest mountain and dunk your head in a stream. The smell you have in your nostrils when you pull your head back out, with an added hint of zest, is pretty much what you have on your hands with this gear.
It works perfectly well as a shaving lubricant and leaves the skin feeling like it has been properly cleaned without any sense that it has been stripped bare – as can be the case with many products. There was also a complete absence of any irritation, which will be a huge strike in its favour for many.
The info: Comes in at €19.97.
Organic Homme Cool Down Moisturiser
The claim: Organic and non-greasy, this aftershave and after-sports moisturiser is made without ethyl alcohol, artificial perfumes, parabens or petrochemicals. Instead, natural plant extracts replace the natural oils needed for healthy skin.
The verdict: This is the stand-out product of the four items we tried from the range. No debatable smells – it’s minty fresh. There is a ton of moisturising product out there that promise to re-invigorate by the inclusion of mint, eucalyptus and other ingredients.
However, they often tend to be quite heavy going, particularly for people with sensitive skin. This gear gives the freshness robust ingredients like mint deliver only without leaving you feeling like you’ve just been tear-gassed.
It’s a very thick, rich moisturiser although is genuinely non-greasy. It takes a little longer than usual to soak in, but does thoroughly moisturise without leaving anything by way of residue. In short, it’s a cracking product.
The info: €26.67
Organic Homme Itch Away Shampoo
The claim: Relieve itchy, flaky and irritated scalp. High in natural, organic actives to eliminate excessive dead skin cells and balance your scalp.
The verdict: This is something of a specialist product in that it is designed primarily for people who have a issues with their scalp. We didn’t have a sufferer to hand in the office which meant we can’t judge how good it as at combating dandruff etc. That said, it well worth a try even if you don’t have scalp problems.
Again, it smells entirely different to any other shampoo I’ve come across – it has a distinctly earthy quality with a tang not dissimilar to lavender. It lathers up well, rinses clear but doesn’t leave your hair feeling like it’s been stripped bare.
The info: Comes in at €17.29.
Organic Homme Stay Fresh Deodorant
The claim: Kill the bacteria that causes BO without clogging pores.
With added prebiotics to restrict bacteria, this roll-on deodorant does not contain ethyl alcohol – the leading cause of a stinging sensation in the armpit.
The verdict: Like a number of the other products in the range, the roll on has an earthy smell to it.
That’s all well and good in a shampoo, face wash or shower gel that you’re going to wash away but is a very different prospect in a deodorant.
It is a gentle product that will be kind to your underarms to so if sensitivity in this area is an issue, then it may well be a runner.
That said, personally, I would prefer to have a deodorant that smells chemical fresh than countryside fresh. It’s also expensive for a small tub of roll on – a full €13 more expensive than some of its supermarket competitors. Some of these products are certainly worth going for – but I would probably give this one a miss.
The info: €15.95.
The new Organic Homme range from Green People is available from www.greenpeople.ie
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