Thread: Question about dry/sensitive skin

Originally Posted by LegalEagle

I don't know how much you're willing to try to fix it, but I would suggest you try "method shaving," or really just using Hydrolast products.

I agree on this. At the very least, the skin conditioner is great. Not cheap but it only takes a very small amount. It is applied on wet skin. The soap and paste is used mainly with DE shaving but it is also great to use with straight shaving.

Hey Josh,
Try this without the Lavender first, then if you like it, you can always add EO for fragrance. It can be used as a pre-shave and as an aftershave moisture lock. You'd be surprised how ungreasy it is.

After shaving, rinse very well with warm water, then the cold water.
See if those balms, etc have a common ingredient.

for me, all my problems stopped when i started using mitchells woolfat soap. no more dryness which has been a problem for me in the past, coal stove in my house makes it so dry that an old oak table just exploded right down the middle last year. dont know if it was the soap, or just figured it out one day, but after changing soaps it was also the last time i cut myself shaving, december 15

Mitchells Woolfat, like DR Harris, is a tallow-based triple-milled soap. These are supposed to be among the most moisturizing of soaps. I don't think mine is drying my skin out--just that the moisturizing effect isn't enough for my skin.

Josh

My technique is god awful, so I have an extra variable you probably don't have to worry about, but I had similar issues when using glycerin soaps (col. Conk), and they seemed to get better when I switched to Tabac. A couple of days shaving with that and the dryness goes away. If I switch back, it comes back. As I mentioned, it could very well be a technique thing for me (as in my technique is appropriate to one soap and not the other), but it's worth considering. It seems like when I shave with the wrong stuff, no amount of aftercare is going to make me feel good later in the day.

Good luck,
Bill

Josh,

Here's a datapoint from way out in left field -- some of the only
products that leave my face feeling like I haven't even shaved
are those made by Zirh. I use their pre-shave oil (just 3 drops
or so), strop up my razor, then wet my face and rub in their
shave cream. This is a very thick and lubricating cream that un-
fortunately shows up relatively clear on your face.

After the shave I use their aftershave balm (very light) and
their moisturizer on the areas of my face that still need more
moisture.

I still really love and use my traditional products, but every
once in a while I eschew the pleasure of building a lather with
soap and a brush and just reach for the Zirh products to give
my skin a treat.

YMMV

- Scott

It sounds like you have some sort of alergy to something. I would guess a common ingredient in the moisturizers. probably not even one of the active ones just a little additive that ittitates you upon application. A dermatoogist or alergist is probably your best bet.

It sounds like the burn is the reaction wjile after about eight hours the dry irritation returns only to give way to the burn when you add more product. I would drop the alum, except as deodorant :P it can dry my face a little (I like the tightness but...in your case). maybe try ol's fashioned white petrolium jelly fro moisturizer a couple of days, unless you have terminal acne like I do, it will keep your skin moist without any additives at all.

Scott,

Where do you get Zirh products?

The last week has been pretty miserable for me, actually, but I think some good has come of it. I believe that what I've been suffering from might be some kind of hives, triggered by a non-shaving related allergen.

Until recently the irritation conformed roughly to the areas of my face that I shave, so I assumed that was the cause. But this week I've been itchy all over--weird places like behind my ears and on the back of my neck.

I've been doing the olive oil thing, and it's actually working very nicely. My skin feels relatively good even though it's irritated--a weird sensation.

It helps to know what I'm dealing with, even though the possible triggers are almost unlimited. I might end up going to a dermatologist at some point.

Thanks again,
Josh

Josh,

It sounds like a visit to the dermatologist would be well worth
it. You may end up having a sensitivity to soap in general --
if so there should be a few non-soap shave products (like Zirh)
available for you.

You can order their products directly from the website, zirh.com
but they also have a very good locator for local retailers. Since
the tub of shaving cream is fairly expensive and applies clearly
to the face (not the greatest for straights) I'm almost hesitant
to recommend it.

Let us know how you make out!

- Scott