Despite being the often-forgotten child of the beauty industry, it's personal care products that start our routine daily, without fail. These stalwarts tend to be the brands we grew up with, remaining entrenched in our morning rituals. So, when Daniel Bense, Aesop’s former Head of Commercial, realised that his personal care items were the only ones without an elevated alternative, he began his journey creating To My Ships.

Having launched just over a year ago in September 2024, the London-based brand has a clear goal: revolutionise the way we think about deodorant and refine personal care. To achieve this, they’ve taken a unique approach, drawing on extracts from classical literature and The Iliad to inspire their scented product lines.

Whilst, at first glance, Homer and 21st-century hygiene rituals are quite literally worlds apart, the combination actually makes perfect sense to me. Classic mythology is both grounded in tradition, standing the test of multiple millennia, whilst simultaneously illusory and imaginative - exactly the experience that To My Ships seems to seek.

Their two collections, ‘Of The Gods’ and ‘Stand Up Bravely’, are made with single-note fragrances, allowing for fresh scents that feel both luxurious and uplifting, speaking to the imaginative tone of classical literature. Its enduring nature? All products are made in lasting aluminium packaging, with two refill size options available on their website. Ironic, given that the presence of aluminium within traditional deodorant brands has only recently become a no-no as we learn more about what we should be putting into our bodies.

The two launch deodorant products are aluminium-free, but their newly-released anti-perspirant is not, as anti-perspirants are inherently made with aluminium salts. To My Ships have named it ‘The Incessant Anxiety’, perhaps as a sly, ironic nod to those with concerns. 

Designed to plug skin ducts, anti-perspirants physically stop sweat from reaching the surface, with aluminium most effective at creating this barrier. Deodorants, on the other hand, mask odour by killing bacteria. Interestingly, aluminium alternatives like magnesium, zinc, and botanical extracts have been found, but are deemed less effective. The question, however, is at what cost?

Despite current concerns, Founder Daniel Bense is confident that ‘The Incessant Anxiety’ is risk-free, stating in an interview that “aluminium gets a bad rap, but we’ve looked at all the research and all the science and we think it’s super safe.” Given that the company is led by a group of accomplished field leaders, we're inclined to believe him. 

So, if you want to climb aboard and move on from that “cotton” or “sporty” smell under your armpits, then head to the To My Ships website or sail on into Liberty London.