Good on deighaingeal for digging in and asking questions, and listening to the answers.

I too have sensitive skin. I used to be very skeptical that something as soft and luxurious as a badger brush could actually have exfoliating properties, but it definitely does. I love stiff brushes, but they don't love me back. I would get occasional irritation, and was never sure why.

Then one day, had just bought a new shaving brush (a stiff Rooney), and was lathering up multiple times using two other brushes and the Rooney, to compare them. No shave mind you, just lathering and rinsing multiple times. When I was done, my cheeks looked like they were sunburned! Very embarrassing.

I grudgingly switched to softer brushes (Kents mostly), and haven't had an issue since. In the process, I've honestly come to prefer softer brushes, especially the big Kents. The one "flier" I have is a Straight Razor Designs brush in super that is quite stiff in terms of backbone, but has the softest tips of any brush I've ever tried. Never an issue.