Somersets

Somersets is a British grooming brand founded in 1991 in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, and built around natural shaving oils [1]. The range centres on plant-oil blends designed to lubricate the razor and condition the skin during shaving, and the company's stated aim is to deliver "the world's most comfortable shave." The brand remains active in 2026, though its UK site is in the middle of a family management transition, with online ordering temporarily paused.

Its products have long been positioned as all-natural and made in England, and the original shaving oil, introduced at the brand's founding, remains its signature product.

The brand was founded in 1991 in Henley-on-Thames [1]. According to Somersets, the founders drew inspiration from the surrounding English countryside to create a natural shaving-oil and skincare range. A retailer reproducing the brand's copy describes it similarly: the owners "were inspired by the beautiful country landscape to create a natural skincare range" [8]. Somersets identifies its founder by the first name David, described as passing the business to his daughter Olivia during a 2026 transition [2].

The brand's "Our Story" page places its manufacturing in Henley itself, in the grounds of a manor house said to pre-date the company by around 700 years — a heritage detail the company uses to frame its connection to place rather than a founding date.

Somersets' core line is shaving oil rather than foam or gel. The Original Shaving Oil was introduced in 1991 and remains the flagship product. The range extends across several variants marketed for different needs — Original, Extra Sensitive, and a heavier-beard version variously labelled Tough Stubble or Tough Beard — alongside a version aimed at women for legs and other sensitive areas.

The oils are built on blends of plant and essential oils. The company lists ingredients such as juniper berry, tea tree, rosemary, lavender, and vetiver, and describes the formula as "100% natural." According to Somersets, the essential oils soften the bristle and help prevent razor bumps and irritation, moisturising the face while lubricating the blade. Independent ingredient listings quoted by reviewers include a longer roster — among them evening primrose, sweet almond, borage, and rosehip seed oils [6].

The brand markets its oils as vegan and states that its plant-derived ingredients "have never been tested on animals." No formal certifications (such as a Vegan Society or Leaping Bunny mark) are documented.

Somersets frames itself around natural formulation and environmental restraint. The company says its mission was "to create a high quality range that wouldn't cost the earth; that would be all-natural, affordable and have minimal environmental impact" — and, it adds, "it should actually work." Its stated vision is to "inspire the world with the contemporary English shaving experience."

The brand describes itself as "purists (some would say bordering on obsessive)" about what goes into its range, and points to customer loyalty as evidence of its approach, stating that 70% of its customers have used its products for more than five years [4].

Somersets' shaving oils have drawn coverage from grooming and beauty publications. In a 2016 review (updated 2020) for Never Say Die Beauty, Allison Cohen reported "the closest shave I've ever had" using the oils and praised their prevention of razor bumps, while noting that the oil could clog multi-blade cartridges [7]. In a 2020 review for the wet-shaving site Sharpologist, Jay Harrell called the Original Shaving Oil "better than foam or gel" and concluded that at its price it was "a deal," positioning it as a worthwhile occasional alternative rather than a replacement for premium creams and soaps [6].

The oils have been sold through the brand's own website and, in the United States, through Walgreens [7]. The brand also maintains an Australian site, somersets.com.au, which reproduces the fuller UK brand narrative.

Somersets remains an active, long-running brand [1]. As of 2026, its UK site (somersets.com) is undergoing what the company calls "a careful refresh" tied to a family management transition, with the founder, David, handing the business to his daughter Olivia. Online ordering on the UK site has been temporarily paused, with the page functioning mainly as a customer-communication notice during the change [2].