While the contemporary trend in men’s shaving products may be for 3, 4 and 5 blade razors (where the blades cost more than the razor itself), and aerosolized shave gels, we at Momoko Therapeutics think that men’s shaving is one area where modern technology is outclassed by the past. Whether straight razor or dual-sided safety razor, there’s nothing quite like the classic shave. We salute this men’s ritual and wish to promote it with products that make for a great experience, nourish the skin, and smell fantastic.
The core of our men’s grooming line consists of our Cypress Shave Oil and Bay Rum Aftershave.
A shave oil is not something you would typically find on your drugstore shelf, but it is intended to be used in place of shaving creams, gels, or soaps, and lubricates the skin for a smooth and close shave. One of our product testers had this to say:
“Honestly, this is amazing. The first time I tried this, I had skipped shaving for a few days – which normally makes for a painful shave, but this was entirely pain-free! I feel like I am getting a closer shave than I ever have with a classic safety razor, and my skin feels so smooth afterwards. I use a standard Merkur razor to shave my face and head, and I am now using this exclusively. Previously, I had been alternating between shave soaps applied with a brush and different natural shaving lotions, and this is better than anything I’ve tried before. Between the shave oil and the aftershave, I actually look forward to shaving.”
Our shave oil is beneficial in two primary ways: lubrication when shaving, and nourishing the skin. Unlike shave lotions or soaps, the shave oil involves a very thin but highly viscous layer between the blade and the skin, which results in a closer but smoother shave than you would get with lotions or soaps. The nature of the oil also means it is not wiped away on the first pass of a razor – so you get consistent lubrication of the blade on multiple passes, without reapplication. We use a targeted blend of quality organic oils in this product, including: extra virgin olive oil, jojoba oil, rosehip seed oil, meadowfoam oil, vitamin e oil, and seabuckthorn extract. This combination is not only mechanically functional for a great shaving experience, but it is designed to be nourishing and healing to the skin. The oils in this blend promote both hydration of the skin and reduction of inflammation.
We also believe that even though a product is therapeutic and functional, it can still smell great. We use organic Australian blue cypress essential oil in this product to round out its masculine, pleasant, and complex scent with notes of woodsiness and smoke.
Aftershave has been documented as far back as Roman history, and Bay Rum aftershaves are documented in 19th century literature – which truly puts the classic in “classic shave.” Our Bay Rum Aftershave starts with the rum, and we have carefully selected a dark Jamaican Rum to serve as the basis for our aftershave (the selection process was a pleasant experience, as we drank all of the runners up). For the Bay, we use a very high quality essential oil of the West Indies Bay tree (Pimenta racemosa).
Like all of our skin products, the Bay Rum Aftershave is both therapeutic and has a great scent. In addition to the rum, which is antiseptic and refreshing on skin contact, witch hazel and hyaluronic acid tighten pores and improve the texture of skin, while glycerin provides moisture. We have a deep fondness for the Caribbean islands and drew on that inspiration to compile a wonderful scent. The rich complexity of the dark rum mixes with essential oils of sweet orange, West Indian Bay, cardamom, cinnamon, and the slightest bit of clove to develop an aroma mixing citrus and spice with a remarkably masculine presentation.
In addition to our shave oil and aftershave, our current men’s grooming line rounds out with our cologne spray: Loki. Named for the Norse trickster god, this cologne is a light, playful, and masculine scent with notes of smoke, citrus, and forest. Essential oils of vetiver and multiple tree oils mix with lime in an intoxicating fashion. Unlike many colognes, our cologne spray is light and not overpowering. It is the perfect finishing complement to the Momoko Therapeutics shave experience.