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Thread: soap that burns

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    evil brewer joeuke's Avatar
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    Default soap that burns

    Howdy folks-
    Anyone know why a shaving soap burns? Too much fragrance/essential oil? Unconverted lye?

    I've had a couple (Cirmes Sapera, _____ Dragon Blood) that burn quite a bit.
    i added a couple of drops of veg oil to the mug & that boosted the lather, tho it still did dissipate quickly but did not cure the burn.

    Any solutions to this?

    thanks

    Joe

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    The Hurdy Gurdy Man thebigspendur's Avatar
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    Some folks are sensitive to certain ingredients and that can vary especially if a allergy is involved. Usually when the burn affects large numbers of people it's the scented oils that do it. Sometimes when small scale operations make soap a batch can too much of something that offends.
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    Senior Member Lemur's Avatar
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    Maybe to much acid in it?
    Nee, don't think so, you probably just sensitive to some ingredient, but once I actually saw a recipe for soap calling for Sulfuric acid.
    The scary part was that they said 2 drops of it and then they had misspelled Sulfuric acid (Svevelsyra instead of Svavelsyra), wouldn't trust that recipe at all!
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    Senior Member Ignatius's Avatar
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    Maybe the hint is in the name? Maybe it is supposed to burn a bit like Cat O Nine Tails?
    Nothing is as it ever was.

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    Senior Member maddafinga's Avatar
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    No, dragons blood is a scent, it's not supposed to burn. It's probably a mild allergic reaction. I have burning and redness when I use the art of shaving sandalwood cream or aftershave balm. I absolutely love the scent, but I can't use it for that reason.
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    Essential and fragrance oils are usually the culprits, but it can be any ingredient (or combinations thereof) that can produce reactions for individuals.

    IIRC there is a disclaimer on Mama Bear's website about Dragon's Blood soap, warning that it is known to cause skin irritation for those sensitive to FO's. I don't know if it's still there though.

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    Senior Member Ignatius's Avatar
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    There is a warning at Moma Bear's. There is also a list of ingredients. Are there any commonalities of ingredients between your Dragon's Blood, Moma Bear's and other products that cause you grief?
    Nothing is as it ever was.

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    on the flip side of the coin, I find for my sometimes sensitive skin, the DR Harris lavender soap (mildly scented) is quite gentle on the skin and not irritating at all - the fragrances can be an irritant.

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    (John Ayers in SRP Facebook Group) CaliforniaCajun's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by joeuke View Post
    Howdy folks-
    Anyone know why a shaving soap burns? Too much fragrance/essential oil? Unconverted lye?

    I've had a couple (Cirmes Sapera, _____ Dragon Blood) that burn quite a bit.
    i added a couple of drops of veg oil to the mug & that boosted the lather, tho it still did dissipate quickly but did not cure the burn.

    Any solutions to this?

    thanks

    Joe
    I think the fragrance is usually the problem. I have used many Mama Bears soaps and one particular scent burned my face. Same soap, different scent.

    Straight razor shaver and loving it!
    40-year survivor of electric and multiblade razors

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