While women are often spoilt for choice, it can feel like men looking for natural body care options are unfairly underserved. Raging Ape sells a range of mildly scented skincare products to help men give their skin — and pongy pits — the respect it deserves.
The brand produces deodorant balms and sticks, beard oil, moisturiser and serum. All are free from nasties such as parabens, sulphates and palm oil and wrapped in non-plastic packaging. Many mainstream deodorants and antiperspirants contain parabens, aluminium salts and perfumes, which have been linked to health concerns.
Founder Graham Hall set up Raging Ape when his favourite natural skincare brand sold out to a big multinational. This was at odds with his sustainable values and the recipe changed. Even though the products were effective, Graham no longer felt he could trust the products on his skin. He started experimenting at his kitchen table and developed a moisturiser and beard oil. Deodorant balms and sticks quickly followed.
Simple, natural ingredients
Raging Ape’s deodorants contain just six simple ingredients — coconut oil, shea butter, arrowroot powder, bicarbonate of soda, kaolin clay and vitamin E. The company uses essential oils to naturally scent the products — including black pepper, grapefruit, Scots pine and eucalyptus. Graham developed the final recipe through trial and error before hitting on the winning combination.
Local customers in Hatfield and Welwyn Garden City can enjoy free delivery with no minimum spend. Customers ordering to AL postcodes can also enjoy free delivery on orders over £30.
Raging Ape avoids using plastic — which can leach into skincare products — using instead glass and cardboard. The serum droppers are made from a glass-plastic blend. Although you cannot currently recycle them, Graham plans to introduce a scheme where customers can return all packaging for correct disposal. Participating customers will receive a discount on their next purchase. You can also repurpose them for art projects.
Loyal customers
Perhaps surprisingly, given that Raging Ape is primarily a men’s skincare brand, many of Graham’s loyal customers are women. Many are looking for mildly scented skincare made from natural products less typically associated with female body care.
Although Graham is now based in Hatfield, he used to live in the St Albans district. His favourite thing about the area? How friendly its people are. His top eco tip is to try and reduce your plastic consumption as much as possible. A good way to do this is to buy your veggies unwrapped.
Raging Ape will be joining the next Harpenden Sustainability Market on the 17th of November. It’ll be a great opportunity to pick some choice stocking fillers for the man (or woman) in your life. You can also discover other local eco and food stalls championing a sustainable lifestyle. Check out Raging Ape’s website or connect with them on Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn.
See the full schedule of market dates here.