Mr. Loca has no interest in anything beauty related. When I want to go to a beauty shop, he claims that there is a force field at the entrance holding him back, and if I start talking skincare, he gets this look immediately that shows me he entered a state of mind located somewhere between meditation and the “Nothing Box”.
Don’t get me wrong, he doesn’t slack on personal hygiene, uses deodorant, shaves, all that stuff, but if I approach him with cleanser, moisturizer or beware! a serum, he straight up refuses to even try.
It was a moment of weakness (he had just turned 40) and coincidence (he had left his shaving cream at home) that enabled me to actually make him buy AND use products of the Samurai range by Rituals.
To be precise, he tested the Samurai 24h hydrating face gel and the Samurai Mild & Caring shaving cream.
What Rituals claims:
24 h hydrating face gel: “Enriched with Japanese Daikon for powerful hydration. Helps to hydrate the skin for up to 24 hours, leaving a matt finish. Quick absorbing lightweight texture that is smooth and easy to apply. Perfect for normal and oily skin.”
Mild & Caring shaving cream: “Enriched with Basil and Ginseng for shaving and moisturising the skin. For a perfect shave, leaving a calm and moisturised skin. This rich cream provides extra protection and care of the skin during and after shaving. Ideal for skin that is irritated by shaving. Makes shaving strong beard growth easier.”
Facts:
The moisturizer comes in a pump bottle that contains 50 ml of product and retails for 24,50 € (get it here). It is scented, smelling fresh and a bit like shower gel, and the scent lingers on the skin for quite a while. The consistency is lightweight, it absorbs quickly and leaves no tackiness or residue on the skin.
On my husbands skin (normal to oily, dehydrated by hot showers, much time outdoors and shaving) it was enough to keep any tightness away throughout the day.
One pot of the Magic Shave 3-in 1 Shaving cream costs 19,50 € and contains 300ml (get it here). This product is barely scented, feels creamy on the skin, but not as “rich” as I would have expected. More like a lotion than a thick cream in my opinion.
According to my husband it worked “okay” with shaving, but didn’t do anything special. (Please note that he is absolutely obsessed with shaving, using a special blade, a selected brush and different kinds of soap for different occasions…)
Favorable ingredients (Moisturizer):
- Glycerin: Moisturizing
- Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract: Skin conditioning
- Oryza Sativa Hull Powder: Rice, softening, protecting
- Raphanus Sativus Seed Extract: Radish, firming adstringent
- Sodium Hyaluronate: Moisturizing
- Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil: Sunflower, rich in Vitamin E and linoleic acid
Unfavorable Ingredients (Moisturizer):
- Alcohol
- Silicones
- Perfume
- Preservatives
- Color
Favorable Ingredients (Shaving Cream):
- Allantoin: Skin conditioning
- Bisabolol: Moisturizing
- Glycerin: Moisturizing
- Perilla Frutescens Seed Oil: Anti-inflammatory, rich in fatty acids
- Panax Ginseng Root Extract: Antioxidant, encourages healing
Unfavorable Ingredients (Shaving Cream):
- PEG
- Fragrance
- Preservatives
Does it live up to its claims?
According to Mr. Loca: The moisturizer yes, the shaving cream no.
Will I rebuy?
I am not sure.
The shaving cream isn’t special enough to satisfy any man that takes pride in his beard and the shaving ritual.
The moisturizer, loved and actually almost used up by Mr. Loca, doesn’t convince me in terms of ingredients. Yes, there are some nice ones, but the upper third of the ingredient list is made of silicones and alcohol. The question is: Rebuy, because he actually uses it and it seems to work for him, or go get another one with nicer ingredients that ends up gathering dust on the bathroom shelf?
What would you do?
Who do I recommend it to?
I will leave the final verdict to Mr. Loca:
Shaving Cream: “I guess if you just want a nice clean shave and usually stick to some foam, it is okay.”
Moisturizer: “It feels good and works quickly, I really like it. Can´t put it on before I go hunting though, the game would smell it.”
Have you tried Rituals skincare before?
Is your significant other into skincare or shaving?
If you want to read more about skincare, please check out the „Skincare Reviews“ category in the side bar.
This post may contain affiliate links. All opinions are honest and my own.