Aveeno Therapeutic Shave Gel

Back in my cartridge-razor days, when I first began to wonder why I always got such lousy shaves, I started by replacing my regular foam with this stuff. Nice scent, improved lubricity, and somehow seemed to soothe my skin compared with the regular $1-a-can stuff. I quit using it when I started wet shaving, but it's probably the best stuff you can buy in a pressurized can.

So, I have extremely (legendarily) sensitive skin and really like Aveeno's moisturizing lotions. I prefer others, sure, but I trust their ability to make a quality product.

Unfortunately, they really let me down this time.

Price: Slightly more expensive than the typical mass-produced gel but still good nonetheless.
Quality: It lathered well enough to start but after applying it to my face, I didn't feel . . . anything. This isn't too important, though, so I let it slide. From the moment I began shaving, I felt drag and discomfort. I tried with different razors, even, but no dice. Afterward, I was nicked, burned and bumpy . . . something I hadn't felt in years with a traditional cartridge razor, an electric razor or since my switch to a DE.
Scent: Nothing memorable but certainly not offensive.
Latherability: Typically, canned gels seem to explode out of the can into a shapeless mass. I was pleasantly surprised by the Aveeno and the brush really held the whip well.
Efficacy: I do not believe my results were part of its intention.
Moisturizing Properties: I felt rough, dry and scratchy after using this product. Ironically enough, the product I used to save me from greater discomfort was made by Aveeno.
Packaging: It's a regular shaving gel can. Well, to be fair, I do like Aveeno's colours but . . . what can I say?

Okay, so my original rating (in an MS Word file I've been keeping) was a 1 out of 10!). I'll end with this caveat, in case some of you think I received a bad batch: My wife claimed the product for her own, since my experience with this coincided with the end of one of her shave gel canisters. She assured me that the gel seems to do its job for her and, in a cruel twist of fate, she feels it's a vast improvement over all previous gel products. Go figure!

I'll end this review in the most appropriate manner possible: YMMV.

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edit: In case anyone wonders (yeah, right) since I've elsewhere stated my problems with Derby blades, I tried this gel with them and one other (Astra, which have been wonderful) for a week in a misguided attempt to correct for small sample size. The result was the same, or at least very similar. I'm sorry but I refuse to try again since the healing process takes a few days!

best gel in a can