• Working on projects with tight deadlines
• Explaining technical topics in an easily accessible manner, both in writing and verbally
  
• Photo finding (using both general internet searches and stock photo sites) and editing

• Taking things apart. Cars, computers, clothing - I've not only seen the inner workings of many items in a modern man's life, I've successfully repaired them.
• Experimenting with new technology products and services to improve my quality of life.
• Developing a personal style in my clothing. I enjoy getting dressed in the morning and experimenting with colors and layers in my wardrobe. A particular passion of mine is the challenge of successfully combining multiple patterned items in one outfit.

The offending instrument

On the surface, my reaction may appear irrational, but let me explain. I am fascinated by technology. I love my laptop, I find the mere concept of a smartphone titillating, and think that the internet may be humankind's greatest achievement. It's not technology I fear, it's the needless imposition of technology on what is, at its core, a mechanical device. I know that every major system on a modern car is managed by a computer, and I'm not suggesting we return to carburetors and hand-crank starters, but merely that more digital tech in a car does not necessarily advance its purpose. After all, the automobile is one of the few truly masculine things remaining in everyday

As we discussed last time, there is a small yet growing market for ecologically responsible soaps. With practicality in mind, I went to my local Target and purchased the only soaps I could find that didn’t list antibiotics, preservatives, or animal byproducts in their ingredients. (There are, of course, online retailers that will sell similar products, but I wanted to focus solely on products that would minimally alter the average person’s purchasing habits.) I walked out of the store with three products. Let’s meet the contestants:

On the left is the cedarwood scented soap from a line of mens grooming products called Every Man Jack. While not overtly marketed as an eco-friendly product, its ingredients suggest that it is. In the middle is a box of olive leaf soaps from Method, an independent company that produces a variety of cleaning products with a focus on environmentalism. We like their mission and innovative approach to products in this category. Finally, on the right is an example of the environmentally-friendly line from Pure & Natural. This one is grapefruit pomegranate scented and includes compostable packaging.

Impressions

I tested the Pure & Natural soap first. I could clearly smell it before I opened the the box, so I was a bit worried that the fragrance would be too strong. However, when showering, it was pleasantly faint. The soap lathered an rinsed away normally, much like a standard run-of-the-mill white bar soap. I dried off and didn’t notice any soapy or sticky or greasy residue on my skin. I did notice, however, that using this soap made the bathroom smell delicious. Upon asking the Practical Girlfriend to perform a smell test on my arm, she rolled her eyes, but commented that it smelled, “fruity or flowery.” While this isn’t exactly what most guys want to hear, I actually liked the smell. Besides, knowing that I didn’t use rendered animal fats on my skin or release preservatives into the waterways did wonders for my self-confidence.

Next, I tried the Method olive leaf scented soap, though I thought it smelled more like rosemary. I enjoyed the quilted texture of the soap and observed that it produced a bit more lather than the others. Perhaps the most striking quality of this product was that it had a very creamy feel when wet. Indeed, it behaved much more like a lotion soap, with a definite moisturizing quality. After showering, my now seasoned smell tester commented that I smelled, “herb-y.” I liked this smell as well, and noted that it was pleasant and not at all obtrusive.

Finally, I tested the Every Man Jack cedarwood soap. This product, with its woodgrain coloring and blocky appearance, is clearly intended to appeal to men. I considered myself qualified, so it was off to the shower once again. Once there, this soap continued to differentiate itself, as it did actually smell like wood and the square shape required some adjustment to my washing technique. Once I got the hang of it, though, it was just as effective as the others. When I first noticed that the water going down the drain was light brown, I began to wonder if I had been dirtier than I thought. However, it was just the dye in the soap mixing with the water, and it did not leave any stains. Afterwards, I consulted the Practical Girlfriend a final time, and she confirmed that I smelled, “like wood.” I will add that, while I refrained from felling any trees, this soap did help to bring out my inner lumberjack.

Conclusions

In short, all three products were effective and offered no perceivable drawbacks when compared to conventional soap. That is, if you ignore their prices. Every Man Jack wins the in the frugality department, costing 37 cents per ounce, while Pure & Natural and Method are priced at 50 and 54 cents per ounce, respectively. Either way, consumers have to pay between three and five times the price of conventional soap for these more responsible options.

Every Man Jack takes a unique approach to this segment, but it works well as a male-specific soap. Clearly, I am not the first person to reach this conclusion, as it has received accolades from various men’s magazines, including an Esquire grooming award. If you’re searching for a way to add some manly punch to a bathroom full of conditioners, hair brushes, and fruity perfumes, this is a great start.

I am a fan of the Method brand, and their soap doesn’t disappoint. Of the three products here, it is certainly the most effective moisturizer. If you’re a regular user of a conventional lotion soap like Dove, this is a great eco-friendly alternative. As for me, I don’t necessarily need all the moisture in the summer humidity, but I will probably revisit this soap in the winter.

This leaves Pure & Natural, which is my current favorite. It is the most like a standard soap, leaves a pleasing scent, and extends its environmental theme into its biodegradable packaging. I applaud the company’s foray into this small market segment, and hope that consumers will respond with their wallets to drive further development and expansion.

Overall, this experiment showed that it is not only possible, but actually quite easy to adopt ecologically friendly products with no disruption to one’s daily routine. I bought all of these products at a store where many people buy soap already, and they worked just as well as every other soap I’ve used. They may be more expensive, but if you're concerned about limiting your impact on the natural world, these soaps are worth the cost.