Thread: Review of Sebum Gold type Green Shave Soap.

Originally Posted by RobinK

It's entirely ridiculous, not least because it is not backed by any laws or regulations.

Grown-up politicians came up with the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), but then something with an IQ < 80 happened. TTIP would have been useful, especially in this case.

TTIP means nothing to me as we have CETA so at least some of North America is in play there in the EU.

Bob

Originally Posted by BobH

TTIP means nothing to me as we have CETA so at least some of North America is in play there in the EU.

You're quite right, Bob. CETA is what TTIP could have been... And it is eminently useful, and also sensible.

Now, can we get back to Nelson's review of heavyweight soaps, please?

Robin, my friend, thanks for the kind words.

Creative writing does wonders for shave soap makers. Some of the descriptions I've read, especially from artisan soap makers, would give the best of the New York's ad writers a run for their money. We would be wise to try to see through it, though.

The best part of shaving for me is lathering. This I really enjoy. And spend time on it. That's why a good brush and a good soap — the term "soap" here also includes "creams") — are absolutely essential. Thus far Martin de Candre and Castle Forbes are the only established, and permanent, products in my humble shave den. All the others make up my continued quest for more permanent products for my morning shave.

In my search I have discovered many quality products — Esbjerg, Baum.Be, Czech & Speake and others — and perhaps someday I will have more permanent residents in the shave den. I had hopes for Meissner Tremonia, of which Robin speaks well and I respect his opinion. The soap lathered well and was creamy, but regardless of scent — and even the unscented — it gave me a burn. Obviously, I mostly blame my ultra sensitive skin for this. Still, much to my disappointment, in the end I had to give up on it.

Perhaps someday I will give Sebum a try and maybe, just maybe, it will sit next to Martin de Candre and Castle Forbes. That's a pretty high order, though, but wonders do exist.

Their main product isn't the soap it's the post shave oil. Sure the packaging is fluff. You can put it all in a cheap plastic bottle and probably shave 40% off the price. But we live in a world where presentation is important. If you went out and bought an expensive watch and it came in a cheap plastic box well, that just wouldn't do (har har).

At any rate, their oils (3 of which I have) are touted as being designed to emulate the natural sebum in your skin and to contain "exotic" oils and extracts. I'm no chemist but the oils feel and smell like nothing else on the market and are a real treat for the skin.

Of course like anything else we all decide how and where to spend our hard earned money. As far as cosmetics go just look at the women's counter at Macy's and some of the bottles and the pricing.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Of course like anything else we all decide how and where to spend our hard earned money. As far as cosmetics go just look at the women's counter at Macy's and some of the bottles and the pricing.

Indeed some of the lotions and potions that the women slap on their fizzog is more expensive per oz than gold.

PSA for the uninitiated: The venerable Obelit and I have been at this for years. Obie, correct me if I'm wrong, but it must be ten at least. Obie claims that Meißer Tremonia is irritating, and I claim that Martin de Cadre is drying.

So here goes...

Originally Posted by Obie

Creative writing does wonders for shave soap makers. Some of the descriptions I've read, especially from artisan soap makers, would give the best of the New York's ad writers a run for their money. We would be wise to try to see through it, though.

☝☝☝☝☝☝☝ This. One million times this. Visit the uncontested champion Castle Forbes: British Wet Shaving. None of this nonsense appears on their website. Nor on Martin de Candre's. Nor on any of the serious soapmakers's.

But as for "seeing through", that would require sensible laws and regulations. Which you do not have for shaving soaps (yes, I know the exceptions, no, they don't apply).

Originally Posted by Obie

The best part of shaving for me is lathering. This I really enjoy. And spend time on it. That's why a good brush and a good soap — the term "soap" here also includes "creams") — are absolutely essential. Thus far Martin de Candre and Castle Forbes are the only established, and permanent, products in my humble shave den. All the others make up my continued quest for more permanent products for my morning shave.

Castle Forbes is boring. It was my very first shaving product, back before you were even a member here. It is idiot proof, as witnessed by my ability to get usable lather from it. Oh, look, I found a photo back from 2008 - my first shaving kit (all Wacker re-grinds, and some DE I don't remember).



Then there are a number of products that produce good lather. Well, maybe we need to define "good" first. Because everyone may mean something different.

Having shaved with various vintage shaving utensils for more than a decade, I do not care about the mythical "cushion" any more. Nor do I care about SOTD pictures with mountains of lather.

I want my shaves to be fast, and efficient. And that means, I want glide. And no cushion. Whilst travelling, and I travel a lot, I actually use a brushless gel these days.

Originally Posted by Obie

In my search I have discovered many quality products — Esbjerg, Baum.Be, Czech & Speake and others — and perhaps someday I will have more permanent residents in the shave den.

Well, there you are. Maybe that's enough. I just purchased 40 pucks of soap for a whopping £7.68. You got one of them.

Maybe we're doing too much. Maybe Castle Forbes is it, and then there are some nice products, and then there is truckload of medicore products. And then there is this stuff from Phoenix.

Originally Posted by Obie

Perhaps someday I will give Sebum a try and maybe, just maybe, it will sit next to Martin de Candre and Castle Forbes. That's a pretty high order, though, but wonders do exist.

Make it Castle Forbes only, and I'm in. Maybe that's it. Maybe every review should compare the product to Castle Forbes, and nothing else.

I think that would be helpful.

As always, it's been a pleasure, Obie.

Kind regards,
Robin

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

At any rate, their oils (3 of which I have) are touted as being designed to emulate the natural sebum in your skin and to contain "exotic" oils and extracts. I'm no chemist but the oils feel and smell like nothing else on the market and are a real treat for the skin.

Unfortunately just more bluffing, the website doesn't actually list what their magic blend is, just that it's not Jojoba oil.
Most essential oils have high contents of linoleic or oleic acid. These acids are what make up the Sebum of our skin. Different people have different levels and knowing what type of skin you have can help determine what essential oil is better for your skin.

Originally Posted by RobinK

You're quite right, Bob. CETA is what TTIP could have been... And it is eminently useful, and also sensible.

Now, can we get back to Nelson's review of heavyweight soaps, please?

Most certainly. I did not bring up the TTIP angle but simply responded to it from another post.

Bob

Although I'd love to try Sebum Gold or the other serums, the cost is even more prohibitive than the soap. I've been very happy with Grooming Dept Rejuvenating Serum for only $28 without a fancy bottle. It's ingredients are Meadowfoam Oil, Jojoba Oil, caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Rice Bran Oil, Sea Buckthorn Oil, Pomegranate Seed Oil, Sensolene, Borage Oil, Tamnu Oil, Kukui Nut Oil, Blackberry Oil, Grapseed Oil, Calendula Extract and Tocopherols. It's preservative free, no parabens, and fragrance oil free. Perhaps Sebum Gold is better in some way, but I can't imagine my face feeling any better after using this product. I've only read the impressions of one person who used both, and he felt that Sebum Gold absorbed a little better but otherwise could not tell much difference.

Originally Posted by evnpar

Although I'd love to try Sebum Gold or the other serums, the cost is even more prohibitive than the soap. I've been very happy with Grooming Dept Rejuvenating Serum for only $28 without a fancy bottle. It's ingredients are Meadowfoam Oil, Jojoba Oil, caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Rice Bran Oil, Sea Buckthorn Oil, Pomegranate Seed Oil, Sensolene, Borage Oil, Tamnu Oil, Kukui Nut Oil, Blackberry Oil, Grapseed Oil, Calendula Extract and Tocopherols. It's preservative free, no parabens, and fragrance oil free. Perhaps Sebum Gold is better in some way, but I can't imagine my face feeling any better after using this product. I've only read the impressions of one person who used both, and he felt that Sebum Gold absorbed a little better but otherwise could not tell much difference.

I don't know what dictates how a oil will be absorbed or if it's a person to person thing however I find the Sebum oils to not absorb one iota on my skin. I use very little like 5 drops is more than enough. Anymore and my skin just has this film of oil on it all day.