Old Spice: Natural Fragrance Or Synthetic Scent?

Old Spice is an American brand of male grooming products, including aftershaves, deodorants, and antiperspirants, shampoos, body washes, shaving cream, and soaps. It is manufactured by Procter & Gamble.

The brand was launched as Early American Old Spice by William Lightfoot Schultz's soap and toiletries company, Shulton Inc., in 1937. It was initially targeted at women, with the men's product being released before Christmas 1937. The men's products included shaving soap and aftershave lotion, marketed with a nautical theme.

Old Spice has been around for generations. Its classic cologne has top notes of nutmeg, star anise, aldehydes, orange, and lemon; middle notes of cinnamon, carnation, geranium, pimento, heliotrope, and jasmine; and base notes of benzoin, vanilla, musk, tonka bean, cedar, and ambergris.

The cologne has been described as a classic, traditional, and timeless scent. However, some customers have mixed opinions on the scent, longevity, and spray quality.

Is Old Spice a natural cologne?

Old Spice is a brand of male grooming products that includes aftershaves, deodorants, antiperspirants, shampoos, body washes, shaving cream, and soaps. The brand was launched in 1937 as Early American Old Spice by William Lightfoot Schultz's company, Shulton Inc. The first product was a woman's scent, followed by a men's scent in 1938.

Ingredients

The original Old Spice cologne is a spicy oriental fragrance with top notes of nutmeg, star anise, aldehydes, orange, and lemon; middle notes of cinnamon, carnation, geranium, pimento, heliotrope, and jasmine; and base notes of benzoin, vanilla, musk, tonka bean, cedar, and ambergris.

Natural vs Synthetic

While the brand uses natural ingredients such as essential oils, it also contains synthetic ingredients. The top notes, in particular, are described as synthetic and may irritate the nose.

Longevity and Projection

The cologne has moderate longevity and projection. It is an eau de cologne, which typically has a lower concentration of fragrance oils than an eau de parfum.

Packaging

Old Spice cologne has been packaged in both glass and plastic bottles. The original glass bottles were white with a gray stopper, but these were replaced with plastic bottles and red stoppers in the early 2000s.

While Old Spice cologne contains natural ingredients, it is not an all-natural product. It combines natural and synthetic ingredients to create a traditional barbershop scent that has endured for generations.

What are the notes of Old Spice?

The notes of Old Spice are as follows:

• Top notes: Nutmeg, star anise, aldehydes, orange and lemon
• Middle notes: Cinnamon, carnation, geranium, jasmine, heliotrope and pimento berry
• Base notes: Benzoin, vanilla, musk, tonka bean, cedar and ambergris

What is the history of Old Spice?

Old Spice is a classic, traditional, and masculine cologne that has been around for generations. It was first launched in 1938 by the Shulton Company and is an oriental spicy fragrance for men. The nose behind this fragrance is Albert Hauck.

The top notes of the cologne are nutmeg, star anise, aldehydes, orange, and lemon. The middle notes are cinnamon, carnation, geranium, pimento, heliotrope, and jasmine. The base notes are benzoin, vanilla, musk, tonka bean, cedar, and ambergris.

Old Spice has a strong association with masculinity and is often linked to memories of fathers and grandfathers who wore the scent. It is described as a comforting, nostalgic, and timeless fragrance. The scent is cool, crisp, and clean, with an unmistakably masculine scent.

The cologne has received mixed reviews over the years, with some customers praising its scent and longevity, while others find it too strong or not long-lasting enough. However, it remains a popular and well-known fragrance that is easily recognizable.

What are some popular Old Spice products?

Old Spice has been a popular men's fragrance brand for generations, with its original cologne launching in 1938. The brand offers a wide range of products, including deodorants, antiperspirants, body washes, shampoos, conditioners, hair styling products, and cologne. Here are some of the popular Old Spice products:

• Deodorants and Antiperspirants: Old Spice offers a range of deodorants and antiperspirants in various scents, such as Deep Sea, Fiji, Aqua Reef, Swagger, and more. These products are designed to prevent wet underarms and provide a clean, fresh scent.
• Body Washes: Old Spice body washes are known for their ability to protect against odour, clean away dirt, and leave a fresh, masculine scent. The brand offers a large collection of body washes in several popular scents, including new charcoal exfoliating, aloe moisturising, and lavender relaxing options.
• Cologne: The original Old Spice cologne has been a timeless classic since its launch in 1938. It features spicy amber notes with top notes of nutmeg, star anise, orange, and lemon; middle notes of cinnamon and pimento; and base notes of musk, cedar, and vanilla.
• After Shave: Old Spice offers a range of after-shave products, including the Classic after-shave and newer versions such as Whitewater, Pure Sport Splash, and Fresh Lime. These products can be splashed on the face and neck after shaving to provide a cooling and refreshing sensation.
• Hair Care: Old Spice provides hair styling products such as putty and paste, as well as shampoos and conditioners. Their 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner, Bald Care System Daily Exfoliating Scalp Wash Shampoo, and Healthy Feeling Shampoo are some of their popular hair care offerings.

Old Spice products are widely available at retailers like CVS, both in-store and online, offering same-day pick-up and delivery options.

What are some notable Old Spice ad campaigns?

Old Spice has had many notable ad campaigns over the years, with some of the most popular being:

"The Man Your Man Could Smell Like"

This campaign, created by ad agency Wieden+Kennedy, was launched in 2010 to market Old Spice's Red Zone After Hours Body Wash. The campaign centres around the "Old Spice Man", played by actor Isaiah Mustafa, who addresses the viewer with confident monologues while progressing through various activities, locations, costumes, and situations. The ad was a huge success, receiving numerous honours from the advertising and television industries and helping to reposition the brand with younger consumers.

"Never Let a Friend Lose His Swagger"

This explosive campaign from Wieden+Kennedy Portland in 2019 brought together Terry Crews and Isaiah Mustafa for the first time to plead their case for their favourite Old Spice products.

"Invisible World"

Another campaign by Wieden+Kennedy Portland, "Invisible World" featured a two-hour movie with barely anything to watch.

"Farewell Teenage Me"

This 45-second spot by Wieden & Kennedy London bids farewell to the teenage years.

"Captain"

The "Captain" campaign by Isobel in 2021 targeted the UK's illustrious gaming scene.

Old Spice's advertising has been praised for its creativity, humour, and ability to appeal to a younger generation. The brand has successfully reinvented its image and created some of the most memorable and entertaining commercials on television.

Frequently asked questions