Viking Revolution Shave Creams

During the recent Amazon Prime Days sale, postponed from several months ago, I mentioned a deal for Viking Revolution shave creams on the Sharpologist Shaving Information List.  I picked some up to try.

Viking Revolution?

[Note: Amazon links are affiliate.]

I know very little about Viking Revolution.  A pessimist’s first thought may be that they’re trying to “ride the coattails” of  the Vikings Razor brand.  But while Viking Revolution does carry shaving products, their “mission” is decidedly oriented to beard care.  As stated in their About page, “In just 1 year, what started out as a hobby between two bearded friends frustrated by the limited and uninspiring Beard Care industry became the go-to brand for Men’s Grooming.”

Viking Revolution also maintains an Amazon store.

But this article is about Viking Revolution lathering shave creams.  There are three scents available: Clary Sage, Sandalwood, and Peppermint Eucalyptus.  There is also an Unscented version.

Unfortunately the website’s product pages for all the shave creams are identical…down to the description of the scent (“Contains natural sandalwood oils to leave you smelling like a man.”).  There is no ingredient list on the website either but I got them off the container.  They’re essentially the same except for essential oils:

Clary Sage: Disodium lauryl sulfosuccinate, water, chrysanthellum indicum extract, Ricinus communis oil, hamamelis virginiana extract, aloe vera, sodium hyalauronate, sodium laurel ether sulphate, cocoamidopropyl betaine, glycerol, salvia sclarea (clary sage) essential oil, sorbitol, acrylates copolymer, sodium chloride, citric acid, dmdm hydantoin.

Sandalwood: Disodium lauryl sulfosuccinate, water, chrysanthellum indicum extract, Ricinus communis oil, hamamelis virginiana extract, aloe vera, sodium hyalauronate, sodium laurel ether sulphate, cocoamidopropyl betaine, glycerol, santalum album (sandalwood) essential oil, sorbitol, acrylates copolymer, sodium chloride, citric acid, dmdm hydantoin.

Peppermint Eucalyptus: Disodium lauryl sulfosuccinate, water, chrysanthellum indicum extract, Ricinus communis oil, hamamelis virginiana extract, aloe vera, sodium hyalauronate, sodium laurel ether sulphate, cocoamidopropyl betaine, glycerol, mentha arvensis essential oil, eucalyptus globulus (eucalyptus) essential oil, sorbitol, acrylates copolymer, sodium chloride, citric acid, dmdm hydantoin.

The creams are available singly in 5.3 fl/oz jars or in a three pack of 3.5 fl/oz jars.  The three pack was offered during Amazon Prime Days and that’s what I purchased.  I guess I could call it a “generous sample pack.”

Speaking of packaging, the box of the three pack has a QR code for a how-to video and a 20% off next order promotion.  But the QR code actually links to Google Play Store’s Messenger app when I scan it.

My Experience With Viking Revolution Shave Cream

Since the only real differences in the formulations for these three shave creams is related to scent, let’s go through that first.

I find the Clary Sage scent extremely mild in the jar and pretty much non-existent lathered on my face, at least for my notoriously insensitive nose (YMMV).  What little scent I can get from the jar is vaguely herbal.

Sandalwood is a little stronger, both from the jar and lathered (though it softens quite a bit when lathered).  To Viking Revolution’s credit they use real Indian Sandalwood (Santalum album) which is getting less and less common in products scented with “Sandalwood.”  I get the classic Santalum album vibe from it: a warm, creamy wood scent.

Peppermint-Eucalyptus is stronger-smelling still, both in the jar and on my face, though nowhere near something like PAA Peppermint.  I found the cooling effect very mild on my first shave and undetectable on successive shaves.  Maybe that first shave was “wishful thinking?”

OK, but what about performance?  For me, it’s surprisingly good!

Lathering is quick, easy, and voluminous.  I find the cream is quite “sticky” and it’s easy to overload the brush if I’m not careful.

Lubrication/glide is excellent.  Cushion/protection is almost too good: I actually have to “thin the mix” some to get a blade edge to track more closely.  If you have an aggressive razor/blade combo or are concerned about shaving nicks or irritation this may be a product to look into.

Post-shave skin feel is also noteworthy.

Conclusion

I’m always a little skeptical of brands that are both new and have names similar to other, more established brands.  Viking Revolution’s website and packaging do not inspire confidence in me.  But I find their shave creams to be “the real deal” and competitive with similar products.

Have you tried Viking Revolution?  What do you think of it?  Leave a comment below!