Curious about Oars + Alps? Here’s my unbiased take on this up-and-coming skin care brand.
Over the last few years, Oars + Alps has been hard at work making a name for itself in the world of men’s skin care.
The brand sets itself apart with its ethos of creating natural products for men who lead active lifestyles. That’s a combination you don’t often see, especially in men’s skin care specifically.
I received a few products for my honest, unpaid review and tested them out to see how they stack up.
The products I tested were the Aspen Air natural deodorant, Face + Eye Cream, Shea Butter Bar Soap, and Texturizing + Thickening Spray.
Overall, I had a positive experience, but there are a few things you should keep in mind before buying Oar + Alps skin care products.
Aluminum-Free Deodorant Review
I’ve tried many natural deodorants over the years, so I was curious to test out Oars + Alps’ offering, especially since it’s designed for high-performance use.
I went for the Aspen Air scent, which has notes of cedarwood, pine, oakmoss, citrus, and wildflowers. It’s a nice aroma that’s not too overwhelming. It reminds me of a lighter cologne.
Unlike a lot of other natural deodorants, this option from Oars + Alps isn’t thick and chalky. It’s smooth and almost gel-like, which makes application a breeze. It goes on easily without irritation or catching, and it dries quickly without leaving behind any residue.
Unfortunately, this deodorant doesn’t last as long as I’d like. I don’t sweat all that much, but even I can smell a bit of body odor after a few hours of use, and that’s just from being at my desk. After a bit of outdoor activity, this deodorant all but vanishes.
This seems strange to me since Oars + Alps formulates its products for active guys, but keep in mind that these formulas are also entirely natural, so there is a bit of a tradeoff.
Practically, this means that you’ll need to reapply the deodorant throughout the day if you’re highly active. If you’re not, then you may be able to avoid reapplying (as long as you’re a light sweater).
Still, it’s a bit of a disappointment. The deodorant is small enough to pop in your gym bag or backpack, but it’d still be nice to have a bit more longevity.
Shea Butter Soap Review
Oars + Alps currently offers four bar soaps that each have different cleansing properties. Based on my skin type and needs, I went with the Moisturizing Alps Bar Soap, and I’m glad I did.
At 6oz, the bar itself is significantly larger than many of the soaps I’ve used. It feels great and substantial in hand. (It’s also nice that you’re getting more for your money).
I saw noticeable results with this soap even after the first use. My skin was markedly softer and more hydrated than usual. That’s all thanks to the many moisturizing ingredients at work here, including shea butter, caribou moss, and larch tree extract.
I could also feel the gentle exfoliation provided by the crushed juniper berries peppered throughout the bar. These tiny berries aren’t rough on the skin at all, and I can see them working for people with sensitive skin. This bar is definitely moisturizing first and exfoliating second.
The bar is pretty slippery, and I fumbled with it a bit more than usual, but the large size makes it easier to grasp than if it was smaller.
In short, this is a fantastic soap that leaves your skin feeling fresh and rejuvenated.
Face + Eye Cream Review
Oars + Alps is known for its skin care, so I had to try out one of its best sellers. The Face + Eye Cream caught my attention because it pulls double duty as both a general face moisturizer and under-eye cream.
The application is about as straightforward as it gets. You apply a thin layer under your eyes and a thicker layer on the rest of your face. If you’re like me and want to minimize the number of steps in your skin care routine, then you’ll thoroughly enjoy the simplicity of this 2-in-1.
This moisturizer goes on smoothly and dries quickly without greasing up your face. I hate feeling moisturizer on my face after I’ve applied it, so I really appreciated the Face + Eye Cream’s matte finish.
It has a similar feel to sunscreen, but it’s nice and lightweight. It’s also unscented, which is great (and also makes it easier on the skin).
Considering this cream is a 2-in-1 product, it pulls off both of its jobs pretty well.
As a face moisturizer, it performs as well as many moisturizers in the same price range.
As an eye cream, it’s surprisingly effective. I’ve always had pretty intense dark circles, and it seems like they’ve lightened up a bit now. That may just be wishful thinking, but either way, this cream definitely does under-eye moisturizing well.
This is a solid purchase if you’re looking to simplify your skin care routine with a product that actually works. However, if you’re already using a moisturizer and/or eye cream, you probably won’t get a lot out of switching to this.
Texturizing + Thickening Spray
Texturizing spray is one of my go-to hair products, so I’m always interested in seeing how different formulas work. All in all, this spray does a good job, but it’s not right for everyone.
While most sprays use sea salt or kaolin clay to create texture, the Texturizing + Thickening Spray uses rice and fruit extracts with some additional fixative.
Unfortunately, these ingredients aren’t as good at texturizing, so the result is a strong yet lightweight spray that mostly thickens the hair.
A little goes a long way with this spray. Even with 3-4 sprays, my hair got pretty stiff and crunchy, though that’s likely due to my hair type (thin and flat). I saw better results with 1-2 gentle sprays.
Oars + Alps also claims that this spray will volumize as well, but I didn’t find this to be the case.
I think this spray could work well for guys with medium to thick hair who want more formal hairstyles that require neatness and fullness. Just be aware that it doesn’t add that much texture or volume.
My Verdict
Oars + Alps gets a lot of things right, but it also falls short in a few areas.
I’m all for a brand with such clean ingredient lists, but I also want my grooming products to be effective. In that regard, Oars + Alps is a mixed bag for me.
The Shea Butter Soap and Face + Eye Cream are both great products that I could see myself purchasing. And, as Oars + Alps advertises, these are excellent options for highly active guys who need high performance.
On the other hand, the Aluminum-Free Deodorant and Texturizing + Thickening Spray aren’t quite home runs, so I can’t recommend them.
Overall, I do recommend checking out Oars + Alps if you’re interested in natural grooming products. It’s a brand that’s doing cool things, and there aren’t many companies out there that are focusing on skin care for active guys.
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