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I recently started shaving with a Merkur Progress adjustable DE razor set at "3". I have been using the Jack Black Supreme Cream. I end up with irritated skin that lasts for a good part of a day. What can I do about this? I have access to Kiss My Face Lavender, and soon the Castle and Forbes Lavender Oil products. Will either product benefit me for my irritated skin problem?
Bob
First you have to figure out why your skin is irritated. It could be the shavinig cream that you're using or it could be your technique. My skin can can get really irritated with some soaps, due to an alergic reaction. Proraso White is a great soap for sensitive skin. I would try that and see if you're still getting the irritation. Good prep is very important too.
Second Proraso white. Have sensitive skin too.
You could give TOBS Jermyn street a go.
It's very soft on the skin.
Jermyn Street Collection Shaving Cream Bowl 150g
but first, try and find what it is that irritates your skin.
Good thoughts, what about trying a different blade or using less pressure. Those factors can relieve irritation too. I use noxema for a pre shave cream to help with that sort of issue.
I would try adjusting your angle. My gilette destroys my face if help at the wrong angle.
I only use a DE on my head (Gillette Slim Adjustable), but I recently came to a conclusion about why my head would sting like crazy with aftershave, while my face (using a straight) was fine. I'm not talking about a normal burn. I would actually have to brace myself prior to putting on after shave to my head, and would stand there frozen in agony for a moment while I waited for the burn to subside. I tried dialing back my razor from a 4 to a 3 and finally a 2. What I found was that with a bit more attention to detail, I was getting just as close a save with a 2 setting, as I was with a 4. The major difference was that the burn from aftershave was reduced to nearly nothing. 4 was just too aggressive. The gaps widths on a Progress are about
Setting Gap
1 .38mm
2 .56mm
3 .71mm
4 .84mm
5 .94mm
(badgerandblade "Double-Edged Safety Razors Ranked by Blade Gap")
With my Gillette set on 3 (.66mm) I was getting very sensitive skin after the shave. At 2 (.61mm) I found the sweet spot. An excellent shave when not rushing, and very little burn from the after shave. Your setting 3 (.71mm) would cause me some trouble. Try setting your razor to 2, and take your time with the shave. See if you're still getting irritation on that setting.
Anything labelled for sensitive skin, (with no scent) might solve your problem if it isn't caused by pressure or technique as already stated. You could also try applying some astringent after if you already don't.
Try Mitchell's Wool Fat Shaving Soap.
Hey Bob..... You might want to visit some of the vendors who sell shaving creams and soap and see what other people who have tried said products. Also some sites do offer samples. Get a few and see which ones work best. Do a lather test on your face. Do not shave. See if you get any kind of irritation from the lather only. If not.... Then shave with that product. Could be the blade too. Just a suggestion.
:gl: