This morning I am finally able to try Dr. Jon’s new formulation, which he calls “Vol. 2” and of which he writes:
We wanted to transition from making a high quality vegan shaving soap to making the absolute best vegan shaving soap available and after months of testing we finally settled on a new ingredient list and method of production that we felt was worth making the transition. The addition of slippery elm bark, aloe, soy wax, jojoba oil and sunflower oil allows us to make an amazingly slick soap that leaves your face feeling soft and so moisturized you don’t need any post shave treatment.
The ingredients of his Vol. 2 formulation:
Stearic Acid, Water, Castor Oil, Potassium Hydroxide, Shea Butter, Mango Butter, Babassu Oil, Essential/Fragrance Oils, Sodium Hydroxide, Sunflower Oil, Avocado Oil, Evening Primrose Oil, Meadowfoam Oil, Aloe Vera, Soy Wax, Slippery Elm Bark, Citric Acid.
I imagine the citric acid is included to give the lather an assist when the water is hard. (A small pinch of citric acid in a sink half-filled with hard water will noticeably soften the water.)
Of the fragrance of this soap, 13, Dr. Jon writes:
Made with Oud, Hedione, Musk and Iso-E Super this fragrance is dark, musky and floral all at the same time. This fragrance smells how Steve McQueen looked: smooth and manly!
I was naturally curious about Iso-E Super, but easily found this description and history.
The soap lathered quite well, and the fragrance is quite pleasant and intriguing. The iKon Open Comb produced an awesomely smooth result in three passes, and then I finished with a small splash of Dark Rose EDT from Saint Charles Shave. Altogether, a very fine shave.