Remember those commercials where using Axe body spray supposedly made women chase you down the street? While that particular fantasy has (thankfully) faded into marketing history, the quest for better men's personal care products continues. The landscape has evolved dramatically since Axe's heyday, with innovative brands reimagining everything from deodorant to body wash. We've explored the world of modern men's grooming to find companies that are bringing fresh perspectives to personal care, minus the overwhelming synthetic fragrances and questionable marketing tactics.
: Engineering the Future of Body Scrubbers
The humble loofah hasn't changed much since... well, ever. That's why we're intrigued by Boie's radical reinvention of the body scrubber. Their Flat Body Scrubber looks like something designed by architects rather than traditional personal care manufacturers, featuring an antimicrobial surface that prevents the bacterial breeding ground typically found in conventional shower accessories.
Boie's approach to sustainability goes beyond mere recycled packaging. When their scrubbers eventually wear out, customers can send them back to be recycled into new products. With just five employees, this small company is proving that innovation in personal care doesn't require corporate backing or massive R&D budgets. Their domestic manufacturing setup keeps transportation emissions low while maintaining quality control that larger brands often struggle to achieve.
Why we like Boie
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Innovative Design
Architect-inspired body scrubber that reimagines traditional shower accessories
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Antimicrobial Protection
Special surface prevents bacterial growth common in conventional loofahs
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Closed-Loop Sustainability
Products can be returned and recycled into new items
: Where Cocktail Culture Meets Grooming
Walking into a Blind Barber location feels more like entering a speakeasy than a traditional barbershop. We're fascinated by how this unique atmosphere translates into their product line, particularly their triRescue Eye Cream. The brand has managed to capture that same sophisticated vibe in their formulations, creating products that feel distinctly grown-up.
Their 90 Proof line demonstrates how far men's grooming fragrances have come since the days of synthetic sport scents. These products showcase complex fragrance profiles that evolve throughout the day, rather than hitting you over the head with a single overpowering note. Blind Barber's success suggests that many men are ready to graduate from basic drug store brands to more nuanced personal care options.
Why we like Blind Barber
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Sophisticated Approach
Speakeasy-inspired atmosphere translated into premium grooming products
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Complex Fragrances
Evolving scent profiles that go beyond simple sport fragrances
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Elevated Experience
Combines barbershop expertise with modern sophistication
: Military-Grade Grooming Gets an Upgrade
Duke Cannon takes inspiration from military heritage without falling into cliché territory. Their Best Damn Beard Box reflects this balanced approach - practical products that work reliably, packaged without the usual "tactical" marketing gimmicks. The brand's commitment to supporting veterans goes beyond mere lip service, with regular donations to veterans' causes and product testing conducted by active duty personnel.
The brand's domestic manufacturing focus and carefully selected ingredients create products that feel substantial and purposeful. Their fragrance choices lean toward classic masculinity - think oak barrel-aged bourbon and natural woodsy notes - rather than artificial "extreme" scents. This sophisticated yet straightforward approach demonstrates how masculine-oriented products can evolve beyond teenage locker room aesthetics.
Why we like Duke Cannon
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Authentic Heritage
Military-inspired products without tactical marketing gimmicks
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Veteran Support
Active commitment to veterans' causes and military product testing
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Sophisticated Scents
Natural, woodsy fragrances that avoid artificial extremes
: Personal Care Minus the Plastic Problem
While many brands talk about sustainability, by Humankind has built their entire business model around reducing single-use plastics. Their Travel Sets showcase how eliminating waste doesn't mean sacrificing quality or convenience. We're particularly impressed by their refill system, which tackles the disposable packaging problem head-on.
The brand's commitment to environmental responsibility extends throughout their operation, from aluminum containers to plastic-free shipping materials. Their transparent approach to sharing information about ingredients and environmental impact creates trust in a market often clouded by vague claims and greenwashing. By Humankind demonstrates that reducing our environmental footprint doesn't require returning to primitive grooming practices.
Why we like by Humankind
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Zero-Waste Focus
Built around eliminating single-use plastics from personal care
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Refill System
Innovative approach to reducing packaging waste
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Total Transparency
Clear communication about ingredients and environmental impact
: Simplifying the Science of Natural Ingredients
Native has cracked one of personal care's biggest challenges: creating natural deodorant that actually works. Their Coconut & Vanilla line shows how familiar ingredients can be combined in innovative ways to create effective products. The brand's expansion beyond deodorant proves that their natural formulation expertise translates across categories.
The company's growing presence in major retailers has helped democratize access to cleaner personal care options. Their straightforward approach to ingredients makes it easier for consumers to understand exactly what they're putting on their bodies. Native's success suggests that the future of personal care might be simpler rather than more complex.
Why we like Native
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Effective Natural Formula
Natural deodorant that actually works
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Accessible Clean Beauty
Making natural products widely available through major retailers
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Ingredient Transparency
Clear, understandable approach to natural formulations
The only natural deodorant in all the land that actually works
: Making Personal Care More Accessible
Cleanlogic stands alone in addressing a often-overlooked aspect of personal care: accessibility for visually impaired consumers. Their Sustainable Exfoliating Body Gloves feature braille on all packaging, demonstrating how inclusive design can benefit everyone. We appreciate how they've combined this mission with environmental consciousness through their use of recycled materials and organic cotton.
The brand's innovative approach to texture and materials results in products that work better than traditional alternatives. Their body gloves showcase thoughtful design choices, from ergonomic features to material durability. Cleanlogic proves that considering the needs of all users often leads to superior products for everyone.
Why we like Cleanlogic
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Inclusive Design
Braille packaging makes products accessible to visually impaired users
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Sustainable Materials
Commitment to recycled materials and organic cotton
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Ergonomic Innovation
Thoughtful design that improves functionality for all users
: Bringing Dermatologist Knowledge to Daily Routines
Huron has taken formulation expertise typically reserved for high-end skincare and applied it to everyday products. Their Face Moisturizer Duo reflects this philosophy, offering sophisticated skincare solutions without unnecessary complications. The brand draws on deep experience in luxury skincare development to create more accessible products.
Their approach bridges the gap between basic drug store options and intimidating premium brands. By incorporating high-quality ingredients in straightforward formulations, Huron demonstrates that effective skincare doesn't require a complicated routine or luxury prices.
Why we like Huron
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Expert Formulations
High-end skincare expertise in accessible products
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Simplified Luxury
Premium ingredients without complicated routines
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Approachable Premium
Bridging the gap between drug store and luxury options
The Evolution of Men's Personal Care
Looking at these brands, it's clear that men's grooming has matured considerably since the days when Axe dominated locker rooms. These companies show how personal care can evolve to address modern concerns about ingredients, sustainability, and effectiveness while maintaining accessibility. Whether the priority is reducing plastic waste, finding natural alternatives, or upgrading to more sophisticated formulations, the options now available make those old body spray commercials feel like relics from a different era.