As Summer approaches, there are a fair few positives to look forward to. Warm evenings in beer gardens, days lasting longer and holiday season in full flow it’s certainly a great time of year. However, an area where men can tend to ignore the consequences of the heat is skincare and the inevitable issues with body odour that the summer temperatures bring.
The Clean for Men classic range aims to resolve this problem by using long-lasting, fresh scents in their products to keep you feeling clean and smelling great even when the Mercury levels start rising. Clean Skincare sent me one of the gift sets and I put it to the test over the last few weeks of early Summer sun. You can find a summary of my thoughts based on the usual criteria below.
Quality – 4/5
One of the main factors that really attracted me to this range is the fact that none of the products contain Sulfates or Parabens, meaning that they are free from some of the harsher chemicals used in other brands. This approach means that the collection feels more natural to use and, more importantly, is less likely to cause skin inflammation or irritation.
The shower wash is light and provides a fine lather that leaves the skin feeling clean and clear, whilst the deodorant stick cools the area of application and lasts for around 6-8 hours. My main issue with quality is the relatively short lifespan of the EDT, after a few hours the majority of the fragrance has all but gone. This is a real shame because fragrance is where the collection really shines…
Fragrance – 4/5
My preference for fragrances tends to lean towards the wood and spice basenotes, so I’ve not generally chosen products that use such clean, crisp elements in their products’ scents. However, the Clean collection has created a beautiful balance between classic and contemporary to create a scent that is fresh and modern, but incorporates notes of basil, black pepper and amber.
It’s subtle but never feels like it is weak, an important feature when facing the inevitable odour-hell of enclosed spaces in Summer.
Packaging – 5/5
Packaging, for me, is all about “less is more” and I’ve often taken issue with brands that ruin great products by encasing them in patronising or “lad-ish” packaging. Fortunately, the Clean collection seems to feel the same way with its mixture of whites and pale greys it has nothing to shout about and won’t look garish on your bathroom shelf. The EDT bottle is particularly great with it’s simple branding and “no-fuss” approach to design, it looks stylish in its own right. A true testament to the idea that a gentleman whispers rather than shouts.
Pricing – 3/5
This is certainly not an expensive range of products and, by most accounts would be considered to be great value considering the volume and quality you’re getting. However, the brand is currently only available in the US and (for non-US readers and myself) this is a bit of a pain. With the range coming in between $20-$70, depending on what you’re looking for, it’s great value for those of you who have access to them.
Overall – 4/5
The Clean for Men classic range is a fantastic collection of products that give the simple feeling of freshness after every use. The crisp, clean fragrances are great for combating the heat and embody the subtlety of a modern gentleman’s washing routine. It’s contemporary feel is suited to men of all ages and makes this range one worth trying if you want to stay fresh in the Summer sun.
Well that just about covers my review and, as always, if you’ve enjoyed the article feel free to comment, like and/or share it with your gentlemanly friends. If you have other brands you’d like to me to test please do comment below as I’m always keen to try new things.
By Adam Walker
