Thread: Shaving Cream shelf life

So while entering into the world of straight razor shaving I've already managed to accumulate several different tubs of shaving cream of various scents. I was just curious how long the creams' shelf life is as there are some more that look very appealing to try out on TGQ. . before I go and buy more, does anyone know how long they last? Indefinately?

While I cannot give you a definate answer....I did ask this question last week on the B&B forums and I remember some man saying he recently opened and old tube of gillete cream from like 40 years ago and it worked fine....

New creams , specially the luxury new ones with tons of natural oils and emolients have a self life of 12-24 months, this natural components start to decompose after this time, wich will affect consistency and scent, not really performance that much....
BUT! if the cream is stored and managed correctly will last a lot longer...here is why.
I was also very intrigued about the self life of the products, like you...one day i turned around and realized i had shaving products for 8 years...while it says in the box it lasts for 12 months...
So i asked a friend of mine who manages an apothecary (this people go to beauty school and learn this kind of thing)and she gave me this 2 tips that should make this products last a lot longer. i forgot to mention, this labels of 12 months , is what the manufacturers guarantee the product performing well, wich doesnt necesseraly means its not going to afterwards...they are just covering their...

1-storage it in a cool dry place out of sunlight.
2- bacteria is what decomposes this creams and mosturizers, so never put your fingers in the tub...use a spatula, all this beauty stores use this disposable plastic spatulas to give out samples to customers, i personally get them from my friend, but i have no doubt that if you ask politely to any pretty lady that works behind any counter of this kind of stores they will give you a few to take home.
So with those two tips (that make a lot of sense) we should stretch the shelf life of our creams for a little more time. Now i can sleep good at night knowing that my t's are not gonna go to waist.
Be well.

Makes sense, thanks for the response
Now I'll just have to find some of those little things to scoop it out or find something similar that I can use and perhaps clean and re-use like a small spoon or something. I was definately using my finger before, but not anymore now. Thanks again.

THQ has one ounce soap and creams. That is what it get, that way I can rotate through her inventory and decide what I like best without having a stack of soaps.

I would also add that most oils go rancid after a while. So a two year old product that contains fats like avocado oil may go stinky.

Interesting however I have some Crabtree & Evelyn Nomad shaving cream for about two years now and I stick my finger in for a glob whenever I am going to use it. No problem so far. The last thing I need in the bathroom is more shaving things even if they are little sticks, my wife already is complaining about all my STUFF.

Originally Posted by RichZ

Interesting however I have some Crabtree & Evelyn Nomad shaving cream for about two years now and I stick my finger in for a glob whenever I am going to use it. No problem so far. The last thing I need in the bathroom is more shaving things even if they are little sticks, my wife already is complaining about all my STUFF.

I'm with Rich,
Once upon a time I was afflicted with every acquisition disorder imagineable. I woke up one morning and (with the encouragement of my lovely wife) decided not to continue purchasing shaving cream every time a 'great deal' came along or a new product was released, or a great scent that I'd never tried caught my eye. So...I've not purchased any shave cream for just about two years (I'd estimate I've still got about a three year supply left--maybe four, five in a pinch), and I've not noticed any deterioration in the quality of any of my creams (Crabtree and Evelyn; Trumpers; Taylors; Kiss my face; Proraso; Truefit and Hill; Palmolive; Castle Forbes; and several others). I told you I had a problem...

Use it, enjoy it, don't sweat the small stuff.
Ed

Thanks Ed! i really needed to hear his....i might follow your behaviour, this can get ridiculous.
i am very glad the products are preserving well, and yes...we shouldnt sweat the small stuff.

Sometimes you just need a fellow member to hold you and tell you everything is gonna be ok..

Originally Posted by sergiobruna

New creams , specially the luxury new ones with tons of natural oils and emolients have a self life of 12-24 months, this natural components start to decompose after this time, wich will affect consistency and scent, not really performance that much....
BUT! if the cream is stored and managed correctly will last a lot longer...here is why.
I was also very intrigued about the self life of the products, like you...one day i turned around and realized i had shaving products for 8 years...while it says in the box it lasts for 12 months...
So i asked a friend of mine who manages an apothecary (this people go to beauty school and learn this kind of thing)and she gave me this 2 tips that should make this products last a lot longer. i forgot to mention, this labels of 12 months , is what the manufacturers guarantee the product performing well, wich doesnt necesseraly means its not going to afterwards...they are just covering their...

1-storage it in a cool dry place out of sunlight.
2- bacteria is what decomposes this creams and mosturizers, so never put your fingers in the tub...use a spatula, all this beauty stores use this disposable plastic spatulas to give out samples to customers, i personally get them from my friend, but i have no doubt that if you ask politely to any pretty lady that works behind any counter of this kind of stores they will give you a few to take home.
So with those two tips (that make a lot of sense) we should stretch the shelf life of our creams for a little more time. Now i can sleep good at night knowing that my t's are not gonna go to waist.
Be well.

Mornin Gents!

Sergio your comments are "Top Shelf" in my book. At some point I too will need to put a best used date on my shaving cream, I just haven't figured out how to get it on the label since I've run out of room to add anything else and I'm thinking about adding a small insert or adding shelf life information to the Instruction sheet I already include.

Do you think that would be a good idea ? I'm always a little concerned about overkill....lol. I am a BIG time reader, but I know that many others are not.

Shelf life of TGQ Shaving creams would fall under the standard 12 months. How long will they reeeeeally last ?? I have a tub that is over 2 years old and it lathers up beautifully. I have noticed that saving the disc insert and having that in place when the cream has been moved out of your rotation helps to keep the scent.

I have also noticed that depending on the humidity level and the passing of time the shaving cream can become very thick......almost like a semi hard soap. This is because the DISTILLED WATER used in making the cream has evaporated. All that is necessary is to add a little extra DISTILLED WATER "ONLY" or you can use straight ALOE VERA and mix it up really well and it will return to its original texture.

Now that being said, leads me into the thing about using your fingers and tap water. All shaving creams use some type of preservative because they are made with water.......water.....the source of life......is a source of BACTERIA. Of course bacteria is everywhere, this is not meant to be a scare tactic, just reality. And thus Sergio your comments are excellent, and your friend gave you good advice.

Gentlemen, if its only you dabbing your fingers into the shaving cream, its probably fine, but if you and your two sons are sharing..... ( and where have their fingers been ) Damn!... that'll make ya stop and think for a second If you are sharing a tub of cream with family members or room mates....uhhhmmmm, yes....you should try to use a popsicle stick or something to get the cream out.

Why not use the tips of the brush, that's been soaking..????? NOPE, best not to do that either, and this is due to the bacteria count in tap water. BUT, I would even go so far to say that unless you are in a third world country, yeah....thats probably OK too.

But if you're in Mexico or South America or on a safari in Africa....DO NOT introduce ANY.....NOT ONE DROP of the LOCAL WATER into your shaving cream...and that is meant to scare you. DO NOT do that.

If you are stationed overseas in an "isolated area" DO NOT introduce the local water into your creams. Of course its not likely that many in an isolated area would have the shaving cream but just in case.....

Soapmistress

Soapmistress