Sharp-eyed readers may have noticed a new addition to the Sharpologist Best Shaving Cream list, Blu Atlas, with a notation “review coming soon.” Well, here is that review! I also purchased a jar of their aftershave.
Background
I periodically surf the internet for shaving product lists to see what might be new or interesting. From the “enthusiast” background of the typical Sharpologist reader, many of these articles are disappointing: many are heavily biased toward mass-marketed, sponsored products. And I have to wonder how many of these products are actually tested by the writer or website editorial staff (Sports Illustrated reviewing shave creams? Seriously?).
However one name I have started to see on multiple lists is Blu Atlas shave cream. Many of the articles mentioned how well it hydrates the skin, does not irritate the skin, derived from plant-based ingredients, etc. All features fairly well-known to shavers who use traditional lathering products.
Does Blu Atlas offer something missing with the traditional shave creams? I bought a jar to find out.
My Experience With Blu Atlas Shave Cream
[Note: I paid for a jar of the Blu Atlas shave cream and aftershave. The opinions here are my own and have not been reviewed or approved by Blu Atlas.
Presentation
The Blu Atlas shave cream jar is quite small, 2 0z (60ml). At US $30 per jar (purchased without a subscription), I think that could be pretty pricey, depending on how much product you need to use (more on that later).
There are two scents, “Classic” and Coconut-Apricot. I bought the Classic scent: Blu Atlas describes it as “a combination of bergamot orange, clary sage, and patchouli.” Personally my notoriously insensitive nose gets a mild, herbal base note and that’s about it. I found it pleasant and unassuming.
Performance
Blu Atlas shave cream is definitely brushless–unlike some other products like Truefitt & Hill No. 10 or even Cremo, which could be termed brush friendly. The lather is relatively thin and semi-transparent. I was rocking a multi-day stubble for my first shave with it so I slathered on a generous scoop with two fingers.
However days when I had regular stubble only needed a small amount of cream: a little goes a long way, even when reapplying for multiple passes.
In my experience with it there is no lather residue to “reactivate” lubrication for succeeding passes, unlike some other brushless shave creams. I have to re-apply cream for each pass.
But what about the shave itself? Honestly, it’s pretty darn good. Lubrication/glide is excellent and cushion/protection is outstanding, even with the comparatively thin lather.
Another noteworthy aspect, I often find that brushless shave creams often clog the razor quickly. This has not been the case with Blu Atlas, with either a single blade razor or a multi-blade cartridge razor.
Post-shave skin feel is outstanding as well. And, as other reviews have noted, I have not experienced any irritation with Blu Atlas, even using razors that are a bit too aggressive for my taste.
Blu Atlas Aftershave
I also purchased a jar of Blu Atlas aftershave. Like the shave cream, this aftershave balm is available in Classic and Coconut Apricot scents (though my jar’s Classic scent is so mild it might as well be scent-free) and also vegan, made In USA, paraben free, phthalate free, cruelty free, and sulfate free.
Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Squalane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Meal, Allantoin, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vit. E), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Propanediol, Sodium Phytate, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Aminomethyl Propanol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Natural Fragrance.
Like the shave cream I found the aftershave to be concentrated and effective.
Blu Atlas Background
From the Blu Atlas website:
The average person applies over 120 chemicals to their face and body every day. We’re on a mission to lower that average by ensuring every Blu Atlas product is composed of 96-100% naturally sourced ingredients, all thoroughly vetted through scientific research.
- Vegan
- Made In USA
- Paraben Free
- Phthalate Free
- Cruelty Free
- Sulfate Free
Shave Cream Ingredients:
- Water (Aqua): Common solvent in skincare products.
- Glycerin: Humectant, helps to retain moisture in the skin.
- Stearic Acid: Emollient and emulsifying agent.
- Palmitic Acid: Emollient and surfactant.
- Cetyl Alcohol: Emollient and emulsifier.
- Glyceryl Stearate: Emollient and emulsifier.
- Avena Sativa (Oat) Bran Extract: Often used for its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Allantoin: Skin conditioning agent, known for its soothing properties.
- Panthenol: Provitamin of B5, moisturizing and soothing agent.
- Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride: Emollient derived from coconut oil.
- Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice: Known for its soothing and moisturizing properties.
- Hydroxyethylcellulose: Often used as a thickening agent.
- Sodium Phytate: Chelating agent, can help stabilize formulations.
- Phenoxyethanol: Preservative.
- Ethylhexylglycerin: Preservative and skin conditioning agent.
Summing Up (The Elephant In The Room)
All-in-all, Blu Atlas shave cream performs at the level of the other “best” shave creams I have used. But the elephant in the room is price. The nearest comparison (non-lathering) product I can think of is Nancy Boy shave cream. Nancy Boy is also paraben-free, phthalate-free, contain no artificial colors or fragrances, and Vegan. Two ounces of Nancy Boy shave cream is $9, while the same amount of Blu Atlas is $30.
I bought the Blu Atlas Shower set (shampoo, conditioner, body wash) twice in their subscription package. I mention this here because, I gotta say, I wasn’t terribly impressed with the scent, so-called Classic, seemed a bit too citrus for my taste, I’ll finish them up, but I’d be hesitant buying the shave cream and aftershave based on the price and amount. My GF says the scent of the shampoo smells like cold cream.