Curious about Oars + Alps? Hereโs my unbiased take on this up-and-coming skin care brand.
![Oars Alps products](https://www.themodestman.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Oars-Alps-products.jpg)
Over the last few years, Oars + Alps has been hard at work making a name for itself in the world of menโs skin care.
The brand sets itself apart with its ethos of creating natural products for men who lead active lifestyles. Thatโs a combination you donโt often see, especially in menโs 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
Iโve tried many natural deodorants over the years, so I was curious to test out Oars + Alpsโ offering, especially since itโs designed for high-performance use.
I went for the Aspen Air scent, which has notes of cedarwood, pine, oakmoss, citrus, and wildflowers. Itโs a nice aroma thatโs not too overwhelming. It reminds me of a lighter cologne.
Unlike a lot of other natural deodorants, this option from Oars + Alps isnโt thick and chalky. Itโs 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 doesnโt last as long as Iโd like. I donโt sweat all that much, but even I can smell a bit of body odor after a few hours of use, and thatโs 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 youโll need to reapply the deodorant throughout the day if youโre highly active. If youโre not, then you may be able to avoid reapplying (as long as youโre a light sweater).
Still, itโs a bit of a disappointment. The deodorant is small enough to pop in your gym bag or backpack, but itโd 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 Iโm glad I did.
At 6oz, the bar itself is significantly larger than many of the soaps Iโve used. It feels great and substantial in hand. (Itโs also nice that youโre 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. Thatโs 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 arenโt 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 youโre like me and want to minimize the number of steps in your skin care routine, then youโll 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 Iโve applied it, so I really appreciated the Face + Eye Creamโs matte finish.
It has a similar feel to sunscreen, but itโs nice and lightweight. Itโs 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, itโs surprisingly effective. Iโve always had pretty intense dark circles, and it seems like theyโve 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 youโre looking to simplify your skin care routine with a product that actually works. However, if youโre already using a moisturizer and/or eye cream, you probably wonโt get a lot out of switching to this.
Texturizing + Thickening Spray
Texturizing spray is one of my go-to hair products, so Iโm always interested in seeing how different formulas work. All in all, this spray does a good job, but itโs 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 arenโt 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 thatโs 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 didnโt 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 doesnโt 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.
Iโm 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 arenโt quite home runs, so I canโt recommend them.
Overall, I do recommend checking out Oars + Alps if youโre interested in natural grooming products. Itโs a brand thatโs doing cool things, and there arenโt many companies out there that are focusing on skin care for active guys.
Questions? Comments? Leave them below!
How is the Oars & Alps “Wake Up Eye Stick”?
Didn’t try that one! I did really like Horace’s under-eye stick, which I reviewed here.
I totally agree! Have been using the 2-1 skin/eye moisturizer for about a year and itโs great. Just started using the wake up eye stick and that have worked well. I have thin hair, and the texturizing spray just kinda makes my hair a bit hard, and definitely does NOT make it look thicker. It does smell nice, and the next morning I think my hair looks a bit better
I feel you on the spray. I’ve had much better luck with Seven Potions’s styling spray, and it sounds like that might work better for you. I reviewed it here: https://www.themodestman.com/seven-potions-review/#Salt_Texturizing_Hair_Styling_Spray