What's In My Jar
Epsilon Amber Shaving Soap
Epsilon

Epsilon Amber Shaving Soap

Efficacy75/100IrritancyHigh
See all ingredients

Works for

Moisturizing
Glycerin, Ricinus communis seed oil + 6 more
Works
What the product description says
“Its formula with added lanolin produces a rich and hydrating lather that provides a clean, smooth and professional shave.”
Source: SmallFlower

This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.

The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water. When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job: glycerin, propylene glycol.

This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: ricinus communis seed oil, hydrogenated polydecene.

GlycerinKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~4.3–6.4%
Ricinus communis seed oilKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighA plant oil that can help soften the skin. It might be helpful in calming down inflammation, but solid research is lacking. Is often used in lip products to create the needed product consistency~0.15–0.65%
Olea europaea oil unsaponifiablesKey activeEffect: MediumHelp soften the upper layer of the skin~0.01–0.05%
Propylene glycol· HumectantEffect: LowHelps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating~3.5–5.2%
Sorbitol· HumectantEffect: LowHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture~2.6–3.9%
Hydrogenated polydecene· EmollientEffect: LowHelps to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture~0.6–1.4%
Stearic acid· EmollientEffect: LowHelps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient~0.55–1.3%
Butyrospermum parkii butterUnder-dosedA great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals~0.05–0.3%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
4 strong irritants: Parfum, Linalool + 2 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 10 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Propylene glycolHelps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritatingHigh~3.5–5.2%est.
Sodium laureth sulfateWorks as a foaming cleansing agentHigh~1.8–2.8%est.
ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.4–0.9%est.
Benzyl alcoholA preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritatingHigh~0.1–0.4%est.
LinaloolA fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.1–0.35%est.
Benzyl benzoateFragrance with sweet balsamic smell. Help to preserve products and dissolve other ingredients. Could trigger allergic reactions and be irritatingHigh~0.05–0.25%est.
LimoneneA common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heatHigh~0.05–0.2%est.
Sodium stearateHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~2.4–3.6%est.
Sodium cocoateWorks as a cleansing agentMedium~1.4–2.1%est.
Ricinus communis seed oilA plant oil that can help soften the skin. It might be helpful in calming down inflammation, but solid research is lacking. Is often used in lip products to create the needed product consistencyMedium~0.15–0.65%est.
Comedogenic
2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
2 flagged
These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.
IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount
Butyrospermum parkii butterA great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals3/5~0.05–0.3%est.
Sodium laureth sulfateWorks as a foaming cleansing agent2/5~1.8–2.8%est.

User reviews

Would you recommend?
No community reviews yet.

Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.

Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~40–60%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Glycerin~4.3–6.4%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant

More about Glycerin
Propylene glycol~3.5–5.2%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating

More about Propylene glycol
Sorbitol~2.6–3.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture

More about Sorbitol
Sodium stearate~2.4–3.6%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Sodium stearate
Sodium laureth sulfate~1.8–2.8%
Comedogenic 2/5Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Comedogenicity
2/5
Works for
Cleansing

Works as a foaming cleansing agent

More about Sodium laureth sulfate
Sodium cocoate~1.4–2.1%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Works as a cleansing agent

More about Sodium cocoate
Titanium dioxide~1.6–2.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Sun protection

Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin

More about Titanium dioxide
Kaolin~1.2–1.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MattifyingAnti-blemish

A type of clay that consists mainly of aluminum silicate. Helps absorb oil and creates a thicker product consistency. Can be used to add a white color

More about Kaolin
Hydrogenated polydecene~0.6–1.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture

More about Hydrogenated polydecene
Stearic acid~0.55–1.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient

More about Stearic acid
Parfum~0.4–0.9%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum
Sodium chloride~0.35–0.85%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures

More about Sodium chloride
Tetrasodium glutamate diacetate~0.2–0.75%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Helps stabilize the product formulation

More about Tetrasodium glutamate diacetate
Benzyl alcohol~0.1–0.4%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating

More about Benzyl alcohol
Ricinus communis seed oil~0.15–0.65%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-inflammatory

A plant oil that can help soften the skin. It might be helpful in calming down inflammation, but solid research is lacking. Is often used in lip products to create the needed product consistency

More about Ricinus communis seed oil
Linalool~0.1–0.35%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Linalool
Benzyl benzoate~0.05–0.25%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Fragrance with sweet balsamic smell. Help to preserve products and dissolve other ingredients. Could trigger allergic reactions and be irritating

More about Benzyl benzoate
Limonene~0.05–0.2%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat

More about Limonene
Butyrospermum parkii butter~0.05–0.3%
Under-dosedComedogenic 3/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidationAnti-aging

A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals

More about Butyrospermum parkii butter
Glyceryl rosinate~0.05–0.15%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Glyceryl rosinate
Olea europaea oil unsaponifiables~0.01–0.05%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Help soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Olea europaea oil unsaponifiables
Ingredient list view

Water, Glycerin, Propylene glycol, Sorbitol, Sodium stearate, Sodium laureth sulfate, Sodium cocoate, Titanium dioxide, Kaolin, Hydrogenated polydecene, Stearic acid, Parfum, Sodium chloride, Tetrasodium glutamate diacetate, Benzyl alcohol, Ricinus communis seed oil, Linalool, Benzyl benzoate, Limonene, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Glyceryl rosinate, Olea europaea oil unsaponifiables

Compare prices

Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.

SmallFlower150 g
$10.79
Buy
Amazon USPrice as of 11/10 00:09 GMT
$23.50
Buy

Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.

Worth comparing, line by line.

Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
EpsilonAmber Shaving SoapYOUR PRODUCTLEAShaving Soap StickNoble OtterNeon Sun Shave SoapNiveaMen Shaving Stick Protect + Care
Match—29%29%25%
Price$23.50$5.25−$18.25$20.00−$3.50—
Shared key ingredients—2 of 42 of 41 of 4
Key difference—LanolinLanolinPanthenol
Irritancy High Medium Medium Medium
Drying alcohol————
View product Shop Shop Shop
  • matches yours
  • differs
  • cheaper

More alternatives: Hawkins & Brimble Shaving CreamDeclaration Grooming Trismegistus Shaving Soap

Cheaper alternatives? See how this stacks up against similar formulas.
We compare ingredient profiles across our catalog — pick the closest match for your budget.
Open dupe finder

Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 8 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functionsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. 2
    Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. 3
    Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. 4
    Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
  5. 5
    Safety Assessment of Polyene Group as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
  6. 6
    Final report on the safety assessment of Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Glyceryl Ricinoleate, Glyceryl Ricinoleate SE, Ricinoleic Acid, Potassium Ricinoleate, Sodium Ricinoleate, Zinc Ricinoleate, Cetyl Ricinoleate, Ethyl Ricinoleate, Glycol Ricinoleate, Isopropyl Ricinoleate, Methyl Ricinoleate, and Octyldodecyl Ricinoleatencbi.nlm.nih.gov
Epsilon Amber Shaving Soap
EpsilonAmber Shaving Soap
Buy on Amazon$23.50 · as of 11/10 00:09 GMT

Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.

Buy on Amazon$23.50 · as of 11/10 00:09 GMT

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.