Geo. F. Trumper Coral Skin Food
There are only a few shaving products that I would consider necessary and something I could not shave without. Geo. F. Trumper Coral Skin Food is one. I don’t even know if I could find a replacement if I had to. So, I will freely admit that this review is probably somewhat biased, but I will do my best to review this product objectively. Remember, that we will never recommend a product that we wouldn’t use ourselves.
For years I tried to suffer through the pain and skin irritation caused by most aftershaves. Today my typical post-shave routine consists of cold water, an Alum Block and the Trumper Skin Food, usually the coral variety. If I’m looking for a scent, I leave that to my cologne. Colognes are one of the few products on which I recommend splurging, but I’ll save that for a different blog post.
I am always looking to couple quality and value in any product I recommend, and this is no exception. My last bottle of the Geo. F. Trumper Coral Skin Food in the 200mL size lasted a year and a half…and I used it almost daily. At roughly $38 per bottle, that’s $.10 per use (based on 400 shaves). Now that’s value!
Less is more.
Shaving removes that top few layers of dead skin, and that newly exposed skin needs to be protected. That’s what the Skin Food does. A few drops in your palm can feel a little “gummy” and tacky at first, but by rubbing your palms together and spreading a thin layer over your freshly shaved face, the Skin Food creates a moisturizing and protective layer that treats the new skin. And when Trumper’s recommends a few drops, they means only a few drops. I never use more than three. It seems like too little, but remember you’re going for a very thin layer here that dries quickly. Be a little careful though, because you can easily squeeze out a few unnecessary drops. As with most grooming products, less is more.
Another feature of the Coral Skin Food that I like in particular, is that the primary ingredient is Rosa Damascena. This rose flower distillate has natural antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties according to the National Institutes of Health.
As far as my actual shaves go, I always feel a little closer when I use the Skin Food. The seal the Skin Food creates adds that extra level of smoothness that we’re all looking for in a shave.
Pros
- Lightweight, non-irritating and nourishing post-shave use.
- Antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging.
- Excellent $/shave value.
Cons
- Slightly “gummy” feel can be off-putting at first.
- Squeeze dispenser can result in waste if you’re not careful.
- Initial purchase price is a little intimidating; however a Geo. F. Trumper Sample Pack is a great way to start. I even buy sample packs just to have the skin food samples for travelling.
Final Rating
This product deserves a 9.5 out of 10. I stopped noticing the tacky feel months ago once I realized the benefits of this great product. The only area for improvement is in the dispensing method. Several times I have squeezed out more Skin Food than I needed. It’s a minor inconvenience, because it doesn’t happen that often, and Trumpers does offer a pump for sale. Other than this small distraction, the Geo. F. Trumper Coral Skin Food is an absolutely fantastic product and one of the few “must haves” I keep in my shaving cabinet at all times. I would recommend picking one of these up the very next time you re-stock your shaving supplies or sooner.