Irritation

So every soap I have used so far (Taylor of old bond, mamma bear's, and art of shaving cream) works great at first then after about a month starts irritating the hell out of my face. Any clues as to what might be causing this?

Are you using a pre-shave routine? What is it?
There is a common denominator somewhere it sounds like.
Tell us more about your shave routine.

I generally just fill up the sink with hot water to soak my brush then hop in the shower. When I get out I lather up and shave. I have tried bowl lathering and face lathering, but generally just face lather. I seem to be able to dial in each soap, then after a month or so of the routine, irritation comes. I do not use pre-shave oils or anything like that, though I have in the past.

Could it be something in the sink, since you are using it to soak your brush?
I soap my brush in a cup, only use it for the brush.
Designate a cup or bowl just for your brush & lathering for a while.
What type of brush,,,ie. badger, boar, synthetic, horse, do you have?

happens if I soak in a bowl as well. It is a pure badger brush. The irritation is only on my face. I have tried lathering on my arms and never had the same reaction.

If it were me, I would grab a cheap boar brush from target, a different soap, lather in a bowl, then give it the same amount of time. If this changes things, then rotate in "1" item at a time and watch for the change.

What is your razor & stropping technique?

I have a boker 6/8 half hallow, and a dovo silver steal 5/8 full hallow. Prefer the boker. I strop fairly slowly still. Generally strop until I can cut loose hair. Boar hair brushes are too stiff and irritate my face as well. Tried one of those along with a soap you can pick up at CVS that starts with a "V" but I can't remember the name. It dried out my skin. I have very finicky skin.

If not the brush, you could be allergic to the oils. Some companies use fragrance oils, which are stronger scented, same the perfume industry uses. Some people are just sensitive to the strength. If you could find something with "essential oils", these are usually less pungent and easier on the skin. TOBS uses fragrance oils, some of their stuff I am sensitive to. You could try the classic brand soaps from classicshaving, some from SRD, or razo rock, or proraso, oh and speick (that stuff rocks, and is formulated for sensitive skin); those have yet to irritate my skin, and you will notice that the scents are pretty subtle compared to TOBS, castleforbes, and some others.

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Originally Posted by Ecdycis

I have a boker 6/8 half hallow, and a dovo silver steal 5/8 full hallow. Prefer the boker. I strop fairly slowly still. Generally strop until I can cut loose hair. Boar hair brushes are too stiff and irritate my face as well. Tried one of those along with a soap you can pick up at CVS that starts with a "V" but I can't remember the name. It dried out my skin. I have very finicky skin.

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Vanderhaagan is the name, they have a soapy scent as well. Any of the ones that say "fragrance" or "parfum" are using fragrance oils, and chemicals to give the scents. Those will irritate your skin, just like some of the canned goo stuff. Vanderhaagan is ok, but low glycerin and oil content, so it's kind like a foamy bath soap. You could try the williams puck soap from wal-mart, subtle soapy scent, and less drying than the Vanderhaagan

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Originally Posted by Ecdycis

happens if I soak in a bowl as well. It is a pure badger brush. The irritation is only on my face. I have tried lathering on my arms and never had the same reaction.

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You probably haven't been shaving your arms. Are you shaving every day? Do you give your face a rest once the irritation starts before trying another soap? I would try shaving every other day if so and see if there is a change.

I shave about every other day. I shave my arms and legs every once in a while. The TOB is the only scented soap I have.

Also, I have lathered up without shaving to see if I still had the irritation, and it does still occur.

I would A: Wash my brush with that cleansing shampoo you are supposed to use every now and again on your hair to get rid of residue, every couple of weeks and see if that helps. And B: I wouldn't use a single soap for weeks on end. Mix it up.

I have consumed so much great info from this site - time to give back a little.

I have been using Mama Bear soap. I truly love the smells. One shave I found that I had SUCH irritation that I couldn't believe. I read about how the essential oils can irritate skin but why then? Well I root caused my problem to using an exfoliant (facial scrub) in the shower the morning of. I no longer can use the facial scrubs or an exfoliating sponge or whatever if I plan to shave within 24 hours later.

I don't know if this is your problem but maybe this might help out someone else stumbling upon this post :)