Thread: New Shaving kit gift set causing skin irritation?

Originally Posted by ZipZop

Aloha!

SWMBO got me a very nice gift for Christmas. An Acqua Di Parma travel shaving set. It came with shaving cream in a tube, aftershave balm in a tube, and matching cologne, all in a nice carry case.



I used this for the first time last week on a trip to Kentucky. And it definitely caused skin irritation. A few things before you jump to a conclusion as to why:

1.) I have never experienced this kind of skin irritation before. Bumps of irritation like pimples. Only a few on each side of my face, but persistant, itchy and sustained. It's only on my lower cheeks (both sides) just above my jaw line and back toward under my ears. It started a few days after my first shave with this kit. I still have some irriation even though my last shave with this kit was last Monday, so 4 days ago.

2.) I used my normal travel DE razor and normal DE razor blade. I travel with a Baili Razor and Suprmax and Lord blades. I've been shaving with this razor and blades while on the road for years, and never had a problem. Same with the Omega synth brush that I travel with. And I sterilize both razor and brush before each use with alcohol and then rinse with hot water. I always have with no issues until now.

3.) After my shave, I used 50 percent wintergreen alcohol as a primary aftershave, then put on the Acqua Di Parma aftershave balm. I have used 50 percent wintergreen alcohol as a primary aftershave for over 10 years with no irritation.

To be honest, the shaving cream is incredibly superior. Smooth as silk. Goes on very well, lathers nicely, and is almost greasy in application. The shave seemed very comfortable. The aftershave balm seems soothing. Of course, I never put the spary cologne anywhere near my face, so it can't be the cologne.

My theory is that I'm slightly alergic to something in either the shaving cream or the after shave balm or both. I'm waiting for the irritation to go away. I've shaved now at home three times with other razors and product that never gave me irritation like this, but the irritation remains - slightly. I think I'll have to abandon the Acqua Di Parma cream and aftershave balm. The cologne can stay. A pity.

Your opinions? Thanks in advance.

I've never used that shaving cream or balm but if it were me and the cream and balm were the only things that I'd changed. I would probably think they be the culprits too.

It would be a shame if you couldn't use that nice Christmas gift but even if you removed the cream and balm, it's still a nice bag for your own shaving stuff.