Skin Irritation From Brush

[mathnerdm]

So let me give the back story real quick, I'm seventeen and have what I would consider mild acne and SR shaving has always been something I've wanted to do (I just like old stuff I guess, call me crazy)... So I bought all the supplies needed, a pure badger brush, soap, SR, etc. I received my brush and soap before the razor itself so I was just practicing lathering and applying using a brush. First try I created the lather in the same bowl as the soap and applied it perfectly fine. Went on really well, no issues. Then later I tried again by face lathering and very quickly my face began to burn in the small areas where I have a few pimples on my chin and around it. Then I realized it was bright red and irritated. So it lasted a couple days, still I could tell it was irritated but the redness went down so I decided to shave today for the first time. It went well surprisingly with no cuts or nicks, but sure enough my face right as I started applying the cream started burning. I personally think it's the brush that is irritating the pimples there as opposed to being allergic to the soap itself. I don't know what to do though, any reason why the first time I tried the brush it was fine then the second time it irritated my skin? Any tips on what to do would be awesome! I'm going to try using some prescriptions I've had on my chin and other areas to try and clear up the acne then give it another shot because I think that's what's causing it. All help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[Razorfeld]

Don't down play that you might be allergic to something in the soap. I've tried various soaps that seemed fine the first time and after that I would have reactions. Reactions went away after no longer using that soap/cream. I can't use any soap/cream where menthol, eucalyptus or Shea Butter are major ingredients. With out a dermatologist to do good testing I would suggest you find another soap/cream that has different ingredients than the one you have been using and see how that goes. I'm 64 years older than you and now have Rosacea (not old peoples acne as once believed), those aforementioned items are major irritants to skin problems. I've had almost no problems since I've check ingredients in my soaps/creams.

[pfries]

I agree with Razorfeld.
You can have a sensitivity to certain ingredients especially on sensitive areas like the face.
These can be things you can come in contact with on your hands that would never bother you.
Not even really an allergy just a sensitivity/irritation.

[mathnerdm]

Don't down play that you might be allergic to something in the soap. I've tried various soaps that seemed fine the first time and after that I would have reactions. Reactions went away after no longer using that soap/cream. I can't use any soap/cream where menthol, eucalyptus or Shea Butter are major ingredients. With out a dermatologist to do good testing I would suggest you find another soap/cream that has different ingredients than the one you have been using and see how that goes. I'm 64 years older than you and now have Rosacea (not old peoples acne as once believed), those aforementioned items are major irritants to skin problems. I've had almost no problems since I've check ingredients in my soaps/creams.

Thanks for the reply! I'm not exactly sure what to do to test that though, I don't really have the money to keep buying other soaps till one works. Could I just try wetting the puck and putting it on my skin with just my finger and see what happens? And any idea why the reaction would only be in one area? I currently am using the Art Of Shaving Sandalwood Soap if that helps. Thanks again!

[straightshooter1911]

Most likely the soap. Try weting the soap and applying directly to your face just to see if it is the soap. If not try doing a lathering action with the brush and water no soap. Just a couple of things, first shampoo your brush so that any soap you already have in it is removed. Second, if it is the brush, it is probably irritation not a reaction big differece. Let us know what you find out. And good luck

[BobH]

If you take a look at the description of a Pure badger knot here Understanding Hair Grades of Badger Brushes it could easily be a combination of the pure badgers blunt scratchy tips and too much pressure face lathering. I have given myself skin irritation from a new brush that was not broken in yet and too mush pressure.

You say bowl lathering with painting strokes on your face works for you with no irritation so why not do that for a month to let the brush break in. That way if you still get irritation while bowl lathering and using painting strokes you might consider something in the soap is causing it. Once the brush is broken in you could try face lathering with it's circular strokes and light pressure to build lather and see if that still gives you irritation.

Bob

[pfries]

I have the AOS sandalwood cream,
and if my blade needs a touch up or technique is less than spot on I will know when I apply the soap/cream for the second pass.
I will also have some redness and irritation post shave.
This holds true for a few soaps and creams with me.
I have sensitive skin, keep in mind you are exfoliating when you shave with a straight.

[mathnerdm]

I can't use any soap/cream where menthol, eucalyptus or Shea Butter are major ingredients.

So I just checked the ingredients and none of those you listed above are on it. How can I figure out what in it could possibly cause this kind of reaction? And I think once it clears up, I'll also just try running the damp brush over my skin and seeing what that does.

[WadePatton]

your skin is not any one else's skin. You have to learn to determine what substances it does/doesn't like (and this may change over time and with diet/health).

I suggest: don't face lather, try cooler water, avoid going over un-lathered skin as much as possible, learn to live with "imperfect" shaves (don't go BBS nuts every time, especially below your jaw--AND it's not like you can't shave again better-tomorrow or the next day (i always get best shaves on 2-3 day stubble)).

Try different products.

Oh and wait 5 years for your hormones to settle down.

[WadePatton]

...
You say bowl lathering with painting strokes on your face works for you with no irritation so why not do that for a month to let the brush break in...

Bob

Yes, my "pure badger" brush would be brutal for face lathering, but it does a great job in the bowl. Relax, no one every got good at SR shaving the first week. I didn't get comfortable with it until about 1 year, and then it started getting way easier/better.