Allergy to Cream?

[Mako72]

Ok guys I need some help! I have a cream I have used appx 6 times. Every time I use it I get a decent shave but very shortly after my face burns... Badly!!

I thought it was the razor, tried with others. I thought the blade, tried others. I think I know the answer but...

Can one be allergic to a certain cream?

This is not like a little sting. The only way to put this is... ummm... If you have ever gotten Jasco Paint Stripper on your skin, no matter how fast you wash it off it burns... For hours after the fact.

I tried ASBs & Splashes, no go. Only time heals it. Any help is appreciated! Thanks Guys!!

Jay

 

[mr. s]

If your face is allergic, the rest is too. Put some on a sensitive piece of skin, like the inside of your arm and wait and see.
I've never had to try this, but from what I understand this will give you a good indicator. Best of luck.

 

[Mako72]

That is whats weird. I have lathered on the inside of the arm ok. I grew up with massive allergies and am really used to it. That said...

This only hits me on my face. Plus I can lather the cream just fine on my face, no problem. Only when I lather and shave my face. And I don't really try for BBS, just 2(WTG & XTG) plus some clean up. I just assume it doesn't get along with me but wanted to see if others have had this happen. Thanks again!

Jay

 

[Picaro]

Hi Jay,

You didnt say what the cream is, but this sounds like an essential oil issue, most likely culprit is lavender. I wouldnt bet my house on it, but it is the first thing to look at.
Anything but the very highest grades of lavender oil can be quite an irritant with the sensation just as you described.

 

[Shavely Manden]

If your face is allergic, the rest is too. Put some on a sensitive piece of skin, like the inside of your arm and wait and see.
I've never had to try this, but from what I understand this will give you a good indicator. Best of luck.

That's not necessarily the case. I've tried exactly that with a cream I know hurts like all get-out on my face (the new Coates Tea Tree & Rosemary) and it was perfectly fine, at least as long as I was willing to wait. I guess my arm is just tougher than my face.

Yes, OP, you can be allergic to a particular cream. I've met a few (DR Harris Marlborough and the aforementioned Coates are the most memorable) that made my face hurt like the dickens. Make sure it isn't your prep, technique, or aftershave, though -- I almost dismissed MWF and Feather blades early on because of a severe reaction to my pre-shave, Musgo Real Glyce.

 

[kzoo1]

Sounds similar to my problem. I ordered a sample pack from Truefitt and Hill. Got great shaves, and loved the smell of the cream, however, my face would burn well after the shave. At first I attributed it to the fragrancing of the creams until I tried the "Ultimate Comfort". Always got a burning sensation after the shave. Because of that, I haven't tried any of the other "T's", (don't they all use the same cream?).
I only use Proraso and Kiss My Face now, and have no problems.

Experiment with samples until you find your cream, or try some different soaps.

 

[Go West Young Man]

What cream is it? Maybe it's 1) just not protective enough and you're scraping too close to the skin, or b) you haven't figured out how to lather it right yet.

 

[Mako72]

Its Boots Cool Lather cream from England. I arranged some in a trade so not a big deal. I think it could be that it has some menthol plus a cologne/perfum in it. I find the menthol in Bigelow leaves me a little raw. This seems to have a lot less menthol but I think its the combination of the two. It lathers up nice and it seems worse when my pores are open. I usually shower shave and my first 4 tries were in the shower, that made it hurt for about 4 hours. I did a sink shave with just a little water first and that burned for a much shorter period of time, maybe 1-1.5 hours. Well I guess it will be in my next PIF as it just doesn't work for me.

Jay