Stella Alpina Saponificio Varesino Aftershave

Saponificio Varesino is actually an Italian soap manufacturer from Brebba on Lake Maggiore. Although founded in 1945, it is not necessarily among the old traditional soap makers, it primarily works according to the Marseille method. In addition to washing, toilet, flake, and industrial soaps, they also offer shaving soaps and after shave balms.

Stella Alpina is one of those that truly pampers shaved skin super gently and without burning, thanks to numerous natural ingredients. Among them is the namesake Stella Alpina, the well-known edelweiss, whose extract from the leaves is particularly moisturizing due to its high antioxidant content. I assume that the Leontopodium Alpinum (its botanical name) is cultivated and not illegally picked by brave climbers from precarious rock ledges.

Additionally, and also somewhat afterwards, you can find almond, chamomile, aloe, and lavender here. This creates an olfactory mix of floral, slightly herbal, and creamy notes, including some citrus splashes. Perhaps not exactly sexy, if not a bit quaint - but definitely pleasant and likable.

This reminds me a bit of Braukmann Classic, only in this case, it is much smoother due to the oily substance. Especially suitable when the 7-day beard needs to be properly trimmed again.