Pomegranate Raspberry EOS Shave Cream

Evolution of Smooth’s Pomegranate Raspberry Shave Cream is non-foaming cream designed to be moisturizing enough to shave wet or dry. EOS does not test on animals, and you can rest assured that this cream is free of anima by-products and parabens. It’s made with oat, aloe, shea butter, and vitamins E and C to provide a close shave that will leave you soft and smooth.

Well, that sounded like a pretty good deal. And, seeing as I needed some shave cream and I could get it free with my EdenPoints that I had saved up, I decided to go for it. What did I have to lose?

Packaging

This came in a plain box from EdenFantasys, no company name or indication of the contents anywhere to be found. It was nestled in some butcher paper and sealed in a plastic baggie along with some other bath & beauty products I had ordered.

The container is made entirely from #7 plastic and is printed with a message that good things happen to those who recycle. The container also states the company address and ingredients, along with a blurb about the product. This has not been tested on animals, and is paraben-free and free from animal byproducts. Also, there’s an expiration date printed on that bottom.

There are some decorative indentations in the container that make it easier to hold onto when wet. The surface has a sort of satin finish to it, and the indentations definitely were a good idea. Also, the top of the pump is embossed with the EOS logo to help prevent finger slippage. To prevent any accidental mess, there’s a plastic cap over the pump.

Ingredients

water, mineral oil, glycerin, stearic acid, glyceryl stearate, gluconolactone, triethanolamine, cetyl alcohol, petrolatum, sodium benzoate, dimethicone, glycol stearate, titanium dioxide (C177891), magnesium aluminum silicate, carbomer, disodium EDTA, butyrospermum parkii (shea butter) avena sativa (oat) kernel extract, aloe barbadensis leaf extract, ascorbyl palmitate, tocopherol acetate, propylene glycol, hexyl cinnamal, linalool, butyphenyl methylpropional, red 40 (C116035), yellow 6 (C115985)

The EWG Cosmetics Database rates this shave cream a level 5 moderate hazard with limited data. There are high concerns for endocrine disruption, irritation, and organ system toxicity (non-reproductive). Moderate concerns include biochemical or cellular level changes, and ingredient contamination concerns. There are low concerns for cancer and ecotoxicology. However, a decent amount of the ingredients listed on the EWG page don’t add up to what’s printed on my container. I’m wondering why they have parabens listed, when they’re not listed on the container. So… you can check out the individual ingredients by clicking on the green text, and make the decisions for yourself.

From what I’ve found, there are some ingredients that could cause irritation. So, this is definitely not for those with sensitive skin. Also, the synthetic scent ingredient butyphenyl methylpropional, aka Lilial, scores a level 7 hazard level and has allergy, contact dermatitis, bioaccumulation, organ system toxicity, and endocrine disruption concerns.

Scent

It’s a very perfume-y, sweet mixture of the typical artificial smells of raspberry and pomegranate. Really, it smells a lot like a raspberry body spray that I had when I was younger.

The scent is actually strong enough to penetrate the plastic container that it’s in. I don’t even have to take the cap off to smell it. Those who are sensitive to strong scents will want to skip this one.

After removing it, there’s a decent amount of the scent left on my skin, but it’s more subtle than right out of the container. That fades to a barely noticeable scent within a few hours.

Consistency / Texture / Color

The consistency and texture is similar to that of lotion, and will thin due to body warmth and/or water. It doesn’t foam or lather. I have no idea why the product page on EF says “Shaving Foam by Evolution of Smooth”. It’s definitely not a foam; it’s a cream, and says so in large font on the container.

If spread on dry, this stuff will not just rinse off. I have to rub my skin under running water to get it to come off. However, if used for a wet shave it’ll rinse right off, possibly before you finish shaving.

Experience

Wet Shave

Depending on how wet the area is that I’m applying it to, this can be tricky. If my legs are too wet, it goes on watery thin, when I spread it. It will run off my skin and will rinse off easily when it’s like this. So, I have to be careful not to get too wet or I’ll have to fool with reapplication. I generally just splash my legs a bit, turn off the shower, and apply. It’s just too much of an aggravation, if I don’t, and I always have to use more than what’s recommended.

At least my razor doesn’t clog this way. My legs feel nice and smooth after, with no greasy feeling, and it’s decently moisturizing. I have rather dry legs, and have to apply lotion after anyway.

Dry Shave

If I decide to use this to dry shave, this clogs my razor to the point that I just have to dispose of it after one use. No amount of rinsing it under hot water will unclog it. I’ll get done with one leg, and it’ll be half clogged, then struggle to get my second leg done before it just gets too clogged on me. And yes, that’s with having a cup of warm water next to me to swish and clean the razor out.

The first time I did it, I used too thin of a layer (the recommended amount) and was all itchy with razor bumps. A thicker application helps with that, but it also clogs the razor. Still, if I use more, I end up nice and smooth with no greasy feeling after. I usually give my legs a rinse in the shower real quick or wipe them with a wet paper towel to remove any residue or hair bits. If I try to rub in the little bit leftover from shaving, my skin just won’t absorb it. So, a quick cleaning is always needed.

I think this would be better suited to just a quick pit shave, when there’s no time for a shower. Shaving my legs dry with this just isn’t the best idea, but it works in a pinch.

Also, I would NOT use this to dry shave my pubic area. That would just be a disaster waiting to happen.

Opinion

If I ignore the things in the ingredient list that make me uncomfortable, then it’s an okay shave cream, but not something I’d buy again. This smell is nice, but could be overwhelming for some. Plus, the ingredients are certainly not meant for those with sensitive skin. If you generally get razor bumps, I wouldn’t expect this to solve your problem. One of the main things that I find annoying with this is how difficult it is to get the right amount of it on my skin to where it won’t just rinse right off or be too much and clog my razor.