Kiss My Face (KMF) shave creams had some buzz in the ‘traditional’ shaving community, even though it wasn’t a ‘traditional’ product. They’ve been around since about 1980 and interest peaked about 10 years ago. Then KMF as a business pulled back, reformulating some products and–particularly–exiting many brick-and-mortar outlets. I recently had a chance to try their “Moisture Shave” again.
Performance
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Unlike traditional lathers that provide loft and cushion, this cream cushions the skin directly against razor burn and is designed to enhance razor glide. Most users report that it works great and provides a smooth, close shave. It’s noted for being lubricating and helping to prevent razor burn and irritation, even for those with sensitive skin or who shave daily. The moisturizing properties are praised, with users saying it doesn’t dry out the face and leaves skin feeling soft.
While some users mentioned a nice lather, others felt it didn’t lather much, more like a lotion or hand soap. It’s marketed as “brushless” so I knew what to expect but I have also tried it with a synthetic fiber shave brush and I got a nice lather from it (though I don’t know how an animal fiber brush would react given the ingredient list below).
A big plus for me, coming from traditional products, is how it handles with a safety razor. With a brush or without, I have been getting excellent shaves from this Kiss My Face Moisture Shave with the different types of single blade razors I use: traditional, adjustable, and pivot-head.
Scent
The scent is Cedarwood and Bergamot. KMF describes it as “a subtle yet invigorating citrusy, earthy aroma.” However, customer opinions seem mixed; some find the scent wonderful or pleasant and natural, while others say it’s not pleasant or doesn’t last. For me and my admittedly insensitive schnoz, I don’t get anything at all.
Pros And Cons
Here’s a summary of the pros and cons based on both my own experience and the reviews from others:
Pros:
- Provides a smooth and ultra-close shave.
- Helps prevent razor burn and irritation.
- Offers very good lubrication and glide.
- Rinses easily from the skin and doesn’t clog the razor.
- Contains natural ingredients like coconut and olive oils.
- Is moisturizing and leaves skin feeling soft, without drying it out.
- Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
- It is Cruelty Free and Vegan.
- Comes in a convenient pump dispenser.
- Considered a good product and good value by some users.
Cons:
- EWG Skin Deep lists HIGH concerns for Allergies & Immunotoxicity and Use Restrictions for this product.
- EWG Skin Deep has a Limited Data Availability rating for the product as a whole.
- The scent receives mixed reactions from users; some love it, others don’t find it pleasant, and I can’t smell it at all.
Background
As a traditional shaver, I’m accustomed to building a rich lather with a shave soap or cream, usually using a brush, to prepare my face for the blade. This Kiss My Face Moisture Shave is presented as a “4 In 1 Shaving Cream,” but its form is described more like a thin lotion or cream, or even like hand soap. Some users have noted its consistency can be thin. It comes in a convenient pump bottle.
Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Myristic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Glycerin, Stearic Acid, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Allantoin, Juniperus Mexicana Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Hydrastis Canadensis (Goldenseal) Extract, Equisetum Hyemale Extract, Alchemilla Vulgaris Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Leaf Extract (Lemongrass Extract), Citrus Aurantifolia (Lime) Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Flower Extract, Saponaria Officinalis Root Extract (Soapwort Extract), Nasturtium Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract (Watercress Extract), Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin.
Looking at the EWG Skin Deep database information, the product overall has a Limited Data Availability rating. For potential ingredient concerns, the product scores are listed: LOW for Cancer and Developmental and Reproductive Toxicity, and HIGH for Allergies & Immunotoxicity and Use Restrictions. The hazard score is calculated using a weight-of-evidence approach, not just an average of ingredient scores. Cosmetics are not required to be tested for safety before being allowed on the market.
It’s worth noting the product is Cruelty Free and Vegan. EWG mentions the company has taken PETA and Leaping Bunny pledges related to animal testing.
Summing Up
Overall, coming from a traditional shaving background, the different consistency and lack of voluminous lather with Kiss My Face Moisture Shave are departures, but not turn-offs for me. It performs well where it counts – providing a smooth, comfortable, and effective shave that prevents irritation, all while being easy to use and rinse. The ingredient concerns noted by EWG are something I would personally consider, but its status as cruelty-free and vegan, along with the use of natural oils, aligns with certain preferences mentioned by users.
