Canned Foam Life Span

[Raissermesser]

In the Shaving Cream Longevity thread, someone mentioned using Barbasol (tm) from a 20 year old can. The can of Gillette Foamy I used this morning is only going on eight years old, but I'm thinking it's going bad. It's a small-ish can, larger than travel size but smaller than a regular size can. I bought it for the grand price of $2.39 at a convenience story when an emergency caught me away from home and I needed a razor and shaving cream.

This morning I used it for the nostalgia. But I noticed the lather was a little thin, even though the can had ample weight, and it smelled a little off. Imagine tap water that's been in a canteen a few weeks. It wasn't terrible, so I shaved with it, anyway, and I have a newer travel-size Gillette Foamy for a comparison. But it brings up the issue of lifespan of canned foam.

Maybe it's not a fair question. I once had a can of Barbasol (tm) that smelled that way, only stronger, right from the get-go. I discarded it and bought another. It shouldn't vary from batch to batch, but could it?

Just curious about it.

 

[G.W.]

I would expect that it has something to do with the propellant. Slight leakage, or scent fouling with age?

 

[sarimento1]

don't expect canned foams (or youth!) to last forever.
but, just curious, you dutifully gave Barbasol the (tm) appendage, but not Gillette?

 

[MntnMan62]

I needed to use some canned goo recently, I think to compare it to a soap or cream for my son's benefit. The can of Edge that was probably 5 years old and it definitely did not lather like I remember nor smell like I remember. On that basis I am going to conclude that canned foamin' goo does not last forever. Probably far less than a tub of soap or cream.

 

[Invicta]

I am going to conclude that canned foamin' goo does not last forever. Probably far less than a tub of soap or cream.

It is in a pressurised can so providing it is kept in a cool place, there is a good chance it will last a few years. Beyond 5 years is a lottery. I have some Gillette foam over 5 years old and it is okay; I am thinking of putting it in the bin though because it is never going to be in the Dopp kit.