Im getting a lot more razor burn on average compared to when i was using the king of shaves azor gel, which surprises me, because i thought gels gave you more razor burn. I'm using cella soap now...and was wondering if its because i may have sensitive skin? What do you guys think?
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Are there soaps for sensitive skin?
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Drubbing
110% Smiley-Free
I think it's far more likely to be technique. New DE users often apply way more pressure because they haven't locked in the optimum cutting angle yet, so push. Your lather may also need work.
I think the whole sensitive skin thing is a lark from the cosmetics companies. They just don't put stuff in things that can irritate after shaving. When that works, blokes think they must have sensitive skin, and so a whole new product line opens up for them.
The only time I've been irritated by products I've put it down to the fragrances, as often a different cream from the same maker has been fine.
I think the whole sensitive skin thing is a lark from the cosmetics companies. They just don't put stuff in things that can irritate after shaving. When that works, blokes think they must have sensitive skin, and so a whole new product line opens up for them.
The only time I've been irritated by products I've put it down to the fragrances, as often a different cream from the same maker has been fine.
Or.........the latest craze.......brush burn. Just use canned foam! Or will that lead to can burn?
Occams
Member
FWIW I get some really fierce irritation / burning from a few very popular soaps and creams. It's definitely not just technique, I can normally manage a good shave without tearing the first three layers of skin off.
Most of the time I put it down to a reaction / allergy to a particular fragrance or essential oil (or too high a concentration thereof), can almost predict it from the first whiff.
Not everything that's marketed "for sensitive skin" actually is - that phrase is practically ubiquitous on soaps and creams now. The other side of the coin is that too many people shave a bit too aggressively and assume they have sensitive skin though...
Most of the time I put it down to a reaction / allergy to a particular fragrance or essential oil (or too high a concentration thereof), can almost predict it from the first whiff.
Not everything that's marketed "for sensitive skin" actually is - that phrase is practically ubiquitous on soaps and creams now. The other side of the coin is that too many people shave a bit too aggressively and assume they have sensitive skin though...
Drubbing
110% Smiley-Free
I agree - some products can irritate in themselves, but i've only had a couple that did that. When I used to make a pest of myself at the bigger forums, the newbs used to flood in with tales of SS, and they'd spent money on all sorts of big brand lotions none of which did anything, so assumed their skin was special. When for the vast majority (via this anecdotal method anyway), it was either carts, canned stuff or brutal shaving methods, or a combination of all. When it doesn't go away learning DE shaving often reinforces it, when starting technique can often just be poor.
Looking back, I never thought I was going hard at the time, but the amount of Proraso post shave cream I trowelled on in the first few weeks, suggested otherwise
Looking back, I never thought I was going hard at the time, but the amount of Proraso post shave cream I trowelled on in the first few weeks, suggested otherwise
Hmm...then is there anything that is put into soaps/etc that makes them better for sensitive skin? Or is that not possible?
Come to think of it i dont really know what the soaps/creams/etc market is like. Ive only heard about cella/proraso at the lower end. Whats taylors like fore xample?
Come to think of it i dont really know what the soaps/creams/etc market is like. Ive only heard about cella/proraso at the lower end. Whats taylors like fore xample?
Drubbing
110% Smiley-Free
I don't think there's anything they can put in - it's what they take out that can help, fragrances etc.
Taylors is a good cream, but i got mild irritation from the Avocado, many don't seem to.
By the way, low end doesn't mean they're rubbish. They often contain a lot less stuff likely to be a problem than fancy brands that want to smell nice.
Taylors is a good cream, but i got mild irritation from the Avocado, many don't seem to.
By the way, low end doesn't mean they're rubbish. They often contain a lot less stuff likely to be a problem than fancy brands that want to smell nice.
Occams
Member
Agree with @Drubbing - low-end doesn't mean low quality, I've had both irritation and great shaves from cheap and expensive alike. Some scents and oils do seem to set more people off - sandalwood's another that crops up pretty commonly when people discuss what kinds of scents are irritating. I find lots of different fragrance oil scents irritating, but that's just me... Other people are sensitive to citrusy essential oils.
Well i was hoping to find out more about the different kind of soaps/creams that are available so i can make a more informed purchase next time. I only know about cella and proraso so far...the cella isnt bad, im just hoping to try out a different one and see how its like when i start running low.
As Jug mentioned, Taylor of Old Bond Street (TOBS for short) make some creams for sensitive skin. I think the Jermyn Street is one of them, and it's got the best scent ever too. MensBiz for $24, 150g which goes a long way and it'll be free shipping at that amount too. It's easy to use, so if you tried something like that and still get irritation, it's probably time to look elsewhere.
What are your using for aftershave? Prep and technique are crucial, but if you're not doing something to help your skin recover after a blade is dragged across it, you're asking for pain.
What are your using for aftershave? Prep and technique are crucial, but if you're not doing something to help your skin recover after a blade is dragged across it, you're asking for pain.
Marlow
is watching you faceterbate...
I had for most of my life totally insensitive skin, but as I aged it seemed to get more sensitive to stuff. For obvious reasons.( getting older)
Now that I am an old wrinkled up prune I have realised that it was a lot to do with the shit that the Corporate Empires were telling me.( lying bastards)
Natural soaps and stuff with a bloody good single edge razor will often put an end to the bullshit that we are fed via advertising.
I am so sick of the lies.
Now that I am an old wrinkled up prune I have realised that it was a lot to do with the shit that the Corporate Empires were telling me.( lying bastards)
Natural soaps and stuff with a bloody good single edge razor will often put an end to the bullshit that we are fed via advertising.
I am so sick of the lies.
I'm one that came to DE shaving after 20+ years of enduring shaving and thinking I had the world's most sensitive skin (only thing that caused me more irritation than shaving was not shaving so I shaved about 1-2x per week) coming out in a rash whether I used a single blade, twins, 3 blades, even electric!... Using foam, gel, the whole gamut. I had countless GP & dermatologist consultations that lead to (useless) advice and (useless) drugs... Use aftershave, don't use aftershave, use balm, use splash, wash before, wash after, use soap, use teen acne wash, moisturise, don't moisturise,... All of the usual guff. None of it worked.
A chance hearing of an aside from a DJ on the radio piqued my interest when he said he'd just bought a razor like his grandad's... Thought it was worth a go. Bought a DE razor, some random blades, a random brush and a random soap.
Day 1 was amazing. Close shave, no irritation. Resolved to do it again the next day. Even better. Binned all of the disposable/system stuff. Chance encounter with the (bearded) doc after a week (in the pub) "whoa! What happened to your face?" So the difference was visibly obvious to him... Told him and within a week, he was clean shaven and completely converted.
Have I found anything I am actually sensitive to? Nothing at all (at least nothing I didn't know about before - which is pretty much all fish & shellfish) - Other than an intense dislike of sandalwood - and that I break out if I use a balm/moisturiser.
As others have said pressure (or rather the lack of it) is key if you think you're pressing on too hard, you are. Think of your head as an over-inflated balloon. You are trying to remove the lather from that balloon without popping it.
One last thought: I was stood in a chemist shop when a "demo dolly" sidled up, handed me a plastic more-blades-than-you--can-count doofer and said "this will shave your face closer than any other razor". First thought was "does she have first hand experience?" but I recovered to say "feel my face, I shaved yesterday with a 60 year old razor - I suspect I have less stubble than you"
She groped my chin and agreed...
Then the missus rolled around the corner and I could have been in hot water had she not encouraged her mate to grope me similarly (chin/face) in the street a couple of days before to demonstrate the smoothness of it.
A chance hearing of an aside from a DJ on the radio piqued my interest when he said he'd just bought a razor like his grandad's... Thought it was worth a go. Bought a DE razor, some random blades, a random brush and a random soap.
Day 1 was amazing. Close shave, no irritation. Resolved to do it again the next day. Even better. Binned all of the disposable/system stuff. Chance encounter with the (bearded) doc after a week (in the pub) "whoa! What happened to your face?" So the difference was visibly obvious to him... Told him and within a week, he was clean shaven and completely converted.
Have I found anything I am actually sensitive to? Nothing at all (at least nothing I didn't know about before - which is pretty much all fish & shellfish) - Other than an intense dislike of sandalwood - and that I break out if I use a balm/moisturiser.
As others have said pressure (or rather the lack of it) is key if you think you're pressing on too hard, you are. Think of your head as an over-inflated balloon. You are trying to remove the lather from that balloon without popping it.
One last thought: I was stood in a chemist shop when a "demo dolly" sidled up, handed me a plastic more-blades-than-you--can-count doofer and said "this will shave your face closer than any other razor". First thought was "does she have first hand experience?" but I recovered to say "feel my face, I shaved yesterday with a 60 year old razor - I suspect I have less stubble than you"
She groped my chin and agreed... Then the missus rolled around the corner and I could have been in hot water had she not encouraged her mate to grope me similarly (chin/face) in the street a couple of days before to demonstrate the smoothness of it.
Occams
Member
I'm going to hunt down situations where demo dollies offer me razors so I can use this line...
Oh, im not using anything for after shave. When using catridge razors i never had to use any...why do i need to use one for wet shaving?
I will check out TOBS, too bad it's almost double the price of Cella. How is it compared to Cella/Proraso?
I'm one that came to DE shaving after 20+ years of enduring shaving and thinking I had the world's most sensitive skin (only thing that caused me more irritation than shaving was not shaving so I shaved about 1-2x per week) coming out in a rash whether I used a single blade, twins, 3 blades, even electric!... Using foam, gel, the whole gamut. I had countless GP & dermatologist consultations that lead to (useless) advice and (useless) drugs... Use aftershave, don't use aftershave, use balm, use splash, wash before, wash after, use soap, use teen acne wash, moisturise, don't moisturise,... All of the usual guff. None of it worked.
A chance hearing of an aside from a DJ on the radio piqued my interest when he said he'd just bought a razor like his grandad's... Thought it was worth a go. Bought a DE razor, some random blades, a random brush and a random soap.
Day 1 was amazing. Close shave, no irritation. Resolved to do it again the next day. Even better. Binned all of the disposable/system stuff. Chance encounter with the (bearded) doc after a week (in the pub) "whoa! What happened to your face?" So the difference was visibly obvious to him... Told him and within a week, he was clean shaven and completely converted.
Have I found anything I am actually sensitive to? Nothing at all (at least nothing I didn't know about before - which is pretty much all fish & shellfish) - Other than an intense dislike of sandalwood - and that I break out if I use a balm/moisturiser.
As others have said pressure (or rather the lack of it) is key if you think you're pressing on too hard, you are. Think of your head as an over-inflated balloon. You are trying to remove the lather from that balloon without popping it.
One last thought: I was stood in a chemist shop when a "demo dolly" sidled up, handed me a plastic more-blades-than-you--can-count doofer and said "this will shave your face closer than any other razor". First thought was "does she have first hand experience?" but I recovered to say "feel my face, I shaved yesterday with a 60 year old razor - I suspect I have less stubble than you"
Then the missus rolled around the corner and I could have been in hot water had she not encouraged her mate to grope me similarly (chin/face) in the street a couple of days before to demonstrate the smoothness of it.
Thanks for the tips, whats your shaving routine like? I can get it pretty smooth, although i still get some stubble (http://i.imgur.com/9xxrZ8a.jpg).