Thread: Soap drying out skin

I'm still anxiously awaiting my first straght razor, but in the meantime have been using Crabtree & Evelyn Sandalwood soap, lathering up with my new badger hair brush. Yesterday was the third time I used it, and now my face is starting to flake off skin like crazy, and feels terrible! It also burned after a while on my face, which obviously is a sensitivity problem, but does the dry irritated skin later on ever happen to anyone else?
Any suggestions for soaps for sensitive skins (which I didn't even realize I had until now!)? Appreciate any advice.

This could be an allergic reaction, not just sensitive skin. I'm not sure where you are, but check with your local Wild Oats or Whole Foods for Kiss My Face shave creams. They are inexpensive and you should give one a try. You may find that the C&E Sandalwood is just not something you can use.

RT

This definitely sounds like an allergic reaction.

Truefitt & Hill Luxury Shaving Soap is an extremely good soap and seems to agree with nearly everyone. Williams is available at most pharmacies and grocery stores and also doesn't seem to cause allergic reactions, though it's trickier to lather than the T&H stuff (it's also cheaper which may or may not matter). Also some of the Surrey soaps (also at your local pharmacy) *are* marketed as hypoallergenic, though I haven't tried them so I'm not sure how well they work.

The Surrey or Van der Hagen soaps are quite nice. Much nicer than Williams. Easier to lather, and, depending on the soap, moisturizing.

RT

I found Van der Hagen at Wal-Mart Yestarday, both the cake and glycerin. Think they are getting the mesage?

Phil

I find that several soaps will dry my face, but nothing like you seem to be experienceing.

When I first started straight shaving, I found my face getting dry because I was taking longer to shave and the soap was on my face longer than was previously the case - but this doesn`t seem to be your issue, since you haven`t started using your straight.

I find that any soap with shea butter in it does wonders for my face - there are several French soaps, but the best bang for the buck (IMHO) are the Honeybee Sue and Mama Bear soaps. Another good choice is the Col. Conk almond soap - especially if you`re looking for something you might be able to find locally and that`s pretty cheap.

Also, make sure you`re using a good aftershave balm/moisturizer - makes a world of difference.

Good luck.

Sandalwood can dry out the skin if used in high percentages in soap.
In our Sandalwood soap, we use safe essences in amounts that are well tolerated and we add cucumber and avocado extracts to our base soap formula. If you like Sandalwood, you should give it a try.

Originally Posted by newbieshaver

I'm still anxiously awaiting my first straght razor, but in the meantime have been using Crabtree & Evelyn Sandalwood soap, lathering up with my new badger hair brush. Yesterday was the third time I used it, and now my face is starting to flake off skin like crazy, and feels terrible! It also burned after a while on my face, which obviously is a sensitivity problem, but does the dry irritated skin later on ever happen to anyone else?
Any suggestions for soaps for sensitive skins (which I didn't even realize I had until now!)? Appreciate any advice.

Thanks a lot guys, I appreciate all of the input. The sandalwood soap i'm using is indeed quite fragrant, so i'm sure that may be a culprit. I emailed mama bear also and asked for some suggestions. I'll look around and try some of the ones you've all suggested. Trial by fire I guess!
Again, thanks for your replies.

Most of Colleen's Soaps from The Gentlemen's Quarter, and especially her creams which are quite moisturising, are also very soft on the skin. You might also try a poisturiser after the shave like Lush Dream Cream.

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