Since 2003, Dr. Silkman has manufactured and sold its soap, body lotions, and beard oils, all made using local, clean ingredients at the West Village and Union Square Holiday markets, as well as on its own website. Finally, the botanical beauty retailer opened its first brick-and-mortar shop in 2024 in a tiny 50-square-foot SoHo space that was originally an alley, turned tobacco shop, turned pizza shop. It has gotten press as the tiniest store in New York City.
In Manhattan, residential and commercial rents are not cheap, so opening the shop is a big achievement! It’s so quirky, cute, and full of the spirit of New York; all Manhattanites and tourists alike should make a trip down to SoHo just to set foot inside! Support this local thriving small business.
I wondered what the reason for the creation of beard oil + care was until I saw that founder Zack Alper sports a beard. He also pioneered the brand’s signature Body Lotion Candle in 2003. The shopkeepers encourage customers to dip a finger into the Body Lotion Candle while inside the store. Body temperature heat melts the wax so it won’t burn your finger.
Dr. Silkman’s small-batch soap (large 5 oz bars), bath, and body care are 100% homemade and relatively affordable. Its premium soap comes packaged in an exfoliating muslin wrap that doubles as a washcloth. The soap is made with organic olive oil, shea butter, or avocado oil bases. Its beard and shave care products contain argan oil. The Body Lotion Candles are made with nourishing shea butter, avocado oil, and beeswax.
