Ill right so I tried it again tonight. I used a custom Silvertip brush (didn't want a stiffer brush to prickle my skin for this test). I wet the MWF puck before getting in the shower. After the shower I used Proraso pre shave cream. I used warm water and face lathered. I loaded the brush well and began face lathering. No skin irritation. Did a WTG pass, washed my face with warm water and lathered up again, no irritation. Did a XTG pass washed face in warm water and it was going so well and I was enjoying the shave so much I lathered up again for ATG pass. No irritation AND the alum block was even nice! I LOVE THIS SOAP!!! I'm really glad that the irritation I felt the last two times was due to something else, likely razor pressure/angle.