Buring sensation??

So I went ahead and bought some Ogallala Bay Rum and used it the other day as my astringent. Now previous to that I have been using this stuff called Sea Breeze my barber recommended to me. Yes both contain alcohol so there should be some slight burning and tingling that goes away fairly quickly. Now with the Sea Breeze that sensation last only for a minute or two as it air drys. When I used the Ogallala Bay Rum I used a bit less than I did with the Sea Breeze but even after my face was dry my face was still burning like made. It also had become quite red and hot to the touch. Is it possible I'm allergic to the stuff or did I just do something dumb? Is anyone else having that problem as well?

_Will

And I attached a picture of the bottle, because I like pictures in threads.

Will,

It coud be that you are allegic to one of more of the ingredients in Ogallala Bay Rum, which I use without any of the problems you describe. My best guess, however, is that Ogallala may have a higher alcohol content than Sea Breeze. Check the label.

My other suggestion is not to use Ogallala as an astringent. Use an alum block, witch hazel or your Sea Breeze as an astringent instead, followed by some aftershave balm (Nivea is nice) and follow that up with an aftershave like Ogallala.

Just my 2 cents.

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Originally Posted by Wfaist

So I went ahead and bought some Ogallala Bay Rum and used it the other day as my astringent. Now previous to that I have been using this stuff called Sea Breeze my barber recommended to me. Yes both contain alcohol so there should be some slight burning and tingling that goes away fairly quickly. Now with the Sea Breeze that sensation last only for a minute or two as it air drys. When I used the Ogallala Bay Rum I used a bit less than I did with the Sea Breeze but even after my face was dry my face was still burning like made. It also had become quite red and hot to the touch. Is it possible I'm allergic to the stuff or did I just do something dumb? Is anyone else having that problem as well?

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FWIW, Ogallalla is the only after shave that gives me a burning sensation. No redness, though.

The earlier iterations of the stuff were made with witch hazel. I guess he uses alcohol now. It probably contains alot of alcohol hence the burning.

Well the bottle says it has witch hazel alcohol and EOs. I went ahead and bought some Niviea senstive skin after shave balm and I'll try that out tomorrow morning. The odd thing was that yesterday the skin around my mouth and my lips all sluffed off like sunburn. Its still dry and cracked today which is a real pain.:banghead: So mabye I'm allergic to one of those EO's:thinking:

_Will

Not to mention that all my bay rums burn...it's gotta be the cinnamon or clove additives. If Ogallala burns, try some Pinaud Bay Rum....sizzle...

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Originally Posted by Wfaist

Well the bottle says it has witch hazel alcohol and EOs. I went ahead and bought some Niviea senstive skin after shave balm and I'll try that out tomorrow morning. The odd thing was that yesterday the skin around my mouth and my lips all sluffed off like sunburn. Its still dry and cracked today which is a real pain.:banghead: So mabye I'm allergic to one of those EO's:thinking:

_Will

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Yikes... unless you're really overdoing the shave and leaving your skin like hamburger for the AS-- which I doubt-- it certainly sounds like something is not right between you and that bay rum! Do be careful trying it again...

I have a sneaking idea that its the cinnamon reacting with something that gave me damn near a chemical burn. :boohoo: Well one thing is for sure is I'm going to have to try it a bunch more times to see what it actually is. Curse me wanting to be a scientist growing up... So can anyone recommend something less... potent or maybe a preferred brand you enjoy?

From bitter experience, if something is causing lasting irritation to your skin (beyond the usual inital sting you sometimes get with AS or whatever), stop using it. Its not worth the grief...!

I have fairly sensitive skin and a tough beard (bad combination!), and I dont use anything with alcohol in it on my skin. I just use Trumpers skin food and only apply cologne to the sides of my neck for the scent.

A master barber at Trumpers did actually tell me not to use alcohol based products post shave as they can really dry out the skin.

If its causing you grief, stop using it and try a different product would be my advice. Dont just keep using it hoping that it will get better, as it might get worse..!

Good luck and keep us posted!

I had a very similar experience with Mamabear's Aftershave at first. In fact, I posted a similar thread on here and got similar responses. It turns out, I was not allergic and there was nothing wrong with the aftershave, it was my harsh noob shave technique. I even experienced the red, dry, flaked skin around my chin as I think I was basically carving skin off. I can now say that the aftershave is amazing and I only experience the initial burn and then it subsides. I also have been advised against using any products with alcohol on my sensitive skin.

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Originally Posted by Wfaist

So I went ahead and bought some
....snip...'
It also had become quite red and hot to the touch. Is it possible I'm allergic to the stuff or
....snip....

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Yes.

Yes you could be reacting to it.... or you could simply
have shaved too aggressively... Almost anything on
raw skin will react badly.

Life is short... put it up on the shelf and ignore it
for a month (or two).

The great cartoon in a previous post with the lightening strike
says it all.

If you feel like a scientist put some on
the inside of your arm and leave it
for a couple hours. If you get any
rash or redness at all donate it to the
circular file. If your skin reacts badly
your lungs and sinuses are suffering too.

Double check the label and if it says shake
before using please do. If it is old and
had gone rancid toss it. Some of the
boutique soaps do not have preservatives
and in some extra fat and oil not fully reacted
can and will go rancid.

I can tell you that one of the reasons I hated
shaving for years was bad products. Trust your
face not the marketing literature.

I feel like a broken record when I hint that folk
should try the fragrance free version of any
vendors shave soap first. Then, if and only if
that base gives you a good shave test explore the
rich selection of fragrances etc.... I know that
this is not always possible but we all need a neutral
goto shave soap or cream. Essential oils will
change the shave of some soaps... but without a
solid foundation it is hard to improve the shave.

As I type this I want so badly to get that new chubby
on sale and a tub of BULGARIAN ROSE OTTO.. but
that is another thread...

I also find the contrast provided by a fragrance free
neutral quality soap much improves the appreciation
of subtle soaps...

Eventually we all develop a short list of products
based on our personal face tests....

Trust your face....
trust your face.