Thread: Call the Fire Department

Gentlemen,

I have seen several references made to shave soaps and creams that leave the skin burning. In the past, I have made several references on the subject myself. I think it would be wise to mention some of these products as a way of helping our fellow gentlemen shavers.

Obviously such products effect individual skins differently. Still, I will offer some that do not agree with my Hollywood face.

Of the products I have used, Gold Dachs shave soap and Musgo Real shave cream set my face on fire. These gave me close shaves, but, oy! did they burn me up.

Also, I have noticed some burning with Taylor of Old Bond Street rose. This could be just a perception, especially about one of my favorite shave creams, but I don't think so. Something is amiss here.

Gentlemen, perhaps you could offer some of your thoughts on the products that set your face on fire.

Regards,
Obie

being new to SR shaving, it would be helpful to hear what others have to say about "burning" soaps. It would also be nice to avoid them

There is no doubt that my face has seen a fair share of them, especially creams but some soaps too. I started making my own soap because at the time, I was having trouble finding anything that would not make my skin, at least, dry, and tense as a freshly tuned drum. During this process is when I realized the awful truth...: a big part of the problem was due to my lathering skills. I have said this many times but I will say it again since you are asking ;-). The chemicals in shaving soaps/creams are meant to be diluted in the lather. If your lather is too dry (thick), the chemicals would be more concentrated than needed, and if your skin is sensitive, you may experience some burn and discomfort, or just plain dryness; not too mention other problems. It is essential that your lather has the proper consistency (just a bit past peak; the point where no more lather can be built). I would also like to stress that this is not a matter of personal preference; within certain limits, the density of the lather is set by the soaper, not the user. Trying to alter this, could lead to serious problems.

The other thing that is important is that it is very hard to decide a priori which product would have negative effects on your skin. Certain scents like sandalwood can cause a lot of allergies and some ingredients often found in shaving creams/soaps can clog pores (are comedogenic), which has been associated with acne. Obviously, there are certain guidelines that can be followed and you and your dermatologist could also help you with that. I have experienced negative effects with some products that are considered to be very good. This is in no way an indication that the formulation is bad just that my skin is different...

Al raz.

Musgo Real cream is the only product that made my face feel ablaze (so far). I hope to avoid that feeling again

No soaps or creams irritate my skin yet fortunately!

But I cant use aftershave or cologne on my face, thats like pouring ignited jet fuel onto my skin...! So I use Trumpers Sandalwood skin food on my face after my shave and then apply the colognes to the side of my neck and my wrists.

I would guess that if a shaver had any allergies to certain things, such as sandalwood or lime, that a soap containing these things would probably irritate the skin. Or certain scents like menthol or eucalyptus, which tend to be fairly strong, could also irritate?

Can't say that I've reacted like that to anything I've tried. Which is really strange because I have VERY sensitive skin and am allergic to ... nature. (Seriously, I was off the scale on pretty much every single item in an allergist's skin test.)

I haven't had any burning or anything, but the Kell's Originals Hemp/Aloe Blend in Arabian Spice gives my face a nice pleasant warm feeling. Definitely not a burn, more like a feeling the polar opposite of menthol, just a comforting warmth.

The plain and simple truth is that everyone is different, and that the effects of most all skin products can be plotted and look like a Gaussian curve (bell curve). Body chemistry and sensitvity to various chemicals vary among all of us. Mine isn't that sensitive, or I have chosen products that cause no problems. I purchase soaps exclusively from TGQ (Colleen). Mama Bear (Sue) also makes some great products and has a large following here. You might want to contact Sue or Colleen and ask them. I have found both truly great to work with.