Today I will write a quick review of the 4711 cream soap bar. 4711 was launched as a traditional German Eau de Cologne a very long time ago, back in 1799 and is still available to buy today. They have apparently been using the same formula for around 200 years.

The company has since expanded, releasing a wide range of products based on the original fragrance, and hence we have this lovely bar of soap. Is it any good? Well, here’s what I have found.

Where to buy?

I haven’t seen it in any high street shops, but it’s widely available online; I picked it up from Amazon for around £2.50. It’s pretty cheap, as are most of the products they have. The cologne itself is only around £10-15, so if you’re feeling enthusiastic, you could try both at the same time at a relatively low price.

Presentation

It’s well presented, and the packaging looks historical, one of the main reasons I purchased it. It probably hasn’t changed much over the centuries and looks like something Napoleon Bonaparte may have used. I have heard of claims that the original cologne was indeed his favourite, although this appears to be disputed, so who knows?

Ingredients

For those interested, I have listed the ingredients below.

Sodium Palmate, Sodium Plam Kernalate/Cocoate, Water (Aqua), Glycerin, Fragrance (Parfum), Limonene, Linalool, Sodium Chloride, Palm Kernel Fatty Acid, Tetrasodium Etidronate, Tetrasodium EDTA, CI77891, Geraniol, Sodium Hydroxide, Benzyl Alcohol, Citral, Citronellol, Benzyl Salicylate, Eugenol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Coumarin, CI77492, CI12490.

Is it organic?

As I can’t pronounce the names of all the ingredients, I am going to say no. It is also usually advertised as such, and I can’t see this anywhere on the packaging.

Any special features?

Other than cleaning you and making you smell nice, it doesn’t look like it.

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What does it smell like?

The scent is fresh and zesty, with notes like lemon, bergamot, lavender and neroli. It’s uplifting and reminds me of Tom Ford’s Neroli Portofino, although it is a much cheaper ‘grannyfied’ version.

I haven’t tried the 4711 cologne, but I have heard conflicting views; some say the soap bar smells similar, and others say it’s miles apart. If you have tried both, let me know your thoughts, as I am interested to know.

Is it manly?

I personally don’t think so. The notes are too generic, and while pleasant, there is nothing in there to give it that masculine edge that I usually go for. This would be suitable for both men and women. For a distinctly manly soap, check out my review of the Grandpa Soap here.

Performance

The performance is okay. It will leave a lasting impression in your bathroom, although I would have liked the smell to last longer on the skin, especially as this is a perfume-scented soap.

How long does it last?

At 3.5 oz in weight, it’s pretty tiny, and I estimate about 2-3 weeks of daily usage (if you’re lucky) before it melts away. If you’re looking for size, I recommend the Duke Cannon Gun Smoke Soap Bar, which weighs 10oz—a bit more money for a heck of a lot more usage.

Conclusion

In terms of quality and value for money, it’s alright. It’s more of a novelty item than something I would regularly use. 4711 is arguably one of the oldest brands still around today. Even if you don’t use it that often, It would be worth a purchase if you are curious about what fragrances were like in the 17th and 18th centuries.

If you have tried this or any other 4711 products, let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

READY TO GRAB THIS FRAGRANCE?

If you’re ready to add this to your collection, here are two reliable places to check:

• FragranceX – usually the best prices, discount codes, and a wide selection. They also ship worldwide.
• Amazon – great if you prefer Prime delivery speed, just make sure to buy from a trusted seller.

👉 Pick the option that works best for you.

No matter where you’re reading from, smell good, spend smart.

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