It... it burned!!

[HokieGeek]

So, I am on work travel this week and I excitedly packed my stick of QED Anise & Lavender. When I tried it this morning (my first morning shave since I started shaving with DEs!) it burned ! It wasn't unbearable - it's not like I had to immediately wipe it off and couldn't use it - but it was certainly very uncomfortable. I had heard on the forum how the level of EOs in Charles' soaps is a bit much for some people but I have never considered myself as having sensitive skin so it was a bit of a surprise.

So, my question: is this something which my skin my get used to, or could it get worse? My face didn't seem to get red due to it, just burned a bit, and I really, really, really love the scents as well as the stick format . Any insights would be happily welcomed!

 

[rodeo]

I myself haven't tried that particular fragrance from QED but I do love his soaps and that's all I use in my rotation. I have 5-6 fragrances now and love them one and all. My advice would be to contact Charles and to see what he says about it. His soaps are of excellent quality and lubricate very very well (which is why I use his soap exclusively now) so I would start off by letting him know of your problem. Let us know how it works out for you.

You mention this being your first morning shave, so are you a relatively new DE shaver? Is your face irritated from the razor and the soap may have played into that?

 

[HokieGeek]

I myself haven't tried that particular fragrance from QED but I do love his soaps and that's all I use in my rotation. I have 5-6 fragrances now and love them one and all. My advice would be to contact Charles and to see what he says about it. His soaps are of excellent quality and lubricate very very well (which is why I use his soap exclusively now) so I would start off by letting him know of your problem. Let us know how it works out for you.

It did lubricate quite well. It's a wonderful soap and I am no way criticizing it. The "problem" is entirely on my end. But yeah, I'll contact Charles. Good idea.

You mention this being your first morning shave, so are you a relatively new DE shaver? Is your face irritated from the razor and the soap may have played into that?

Relatively new, compared to some, but not that new. This was my 48th shave (yeah, I'm keeping track. don't judge me! ). Good question though. The burning started as soon as I generated the lather, prior to touching my face with the blade, and at every subsequent relathering. And, when I say it burned, it's not like razor burn which is an irritation type of feeling. I'm talking a chemical type of "heat" and discomfort. Not pleasant. Definitely an allergic reaction.

 

[rodeo]

Yes, it could just be an alergic reaction. Maybe Charles will replace it with something else for you (you don't know until you try). I can recommend the Fresh Lime (absolutely fantastic) or I really like the Pine & Cedarwood too. I like all the scents, but those two are probably my favorites.

Since I haven't tried the Anise & Lavendar, can you describe it for me? I don't know if I would like Lavendar as a soap. Is it very florally smelling?

 

[HokieGeek]

Yes, it could just be an alergic reaction. Maybe Charles will replace it with something else for you (you don't know until you try). I can recommend the Fresh Lime (absolutley fantastic) or I really like the Pine & Cedarwood too. I like all the scents, but those two are probably my favorites.

Since I haven't tried the Anise & Lavendar, can you describe it for me? I don't know if I would like Lavendar as a soap. Is it very florally smelling?

I actually have Fresh Lime and Lemon & Cedarwood. Anise and Lavender is the first one I tried though. Actually, Lavender really isn't that "floral" of a scent! I also have Mama Bear's Lavender and Peppermint and that's quite nice. It simply smells "clean." But not soapy. As for the anise component, think black licorice. It was quite nice. Lovely scent. :woot:

 

[rodeo]

Thanks, I may have to try that one next. (Anise & Lavendar)

I too have the lemon & cedarwood.

 

[TheRuckus13]

I can't use anything QED because it sets my face on fire. He's very generous and packs his soaps full of EO's but because of that people with sensitive skin can't really hang with QED.

 

[rodeo]

I can't use anything QED because it sets my face on fire. He's very generous and packs his soaps full of EO's but because of that people with sensitive skin can't really hang with QED.

That's unfortunate.

But for those of us who can, his soaps really do excel in lubricating your skin. So much so that even after I shave the lather off my face I can (if desired) touch up any rough spots without relathering (just a little water is needed). That was the big difference I discovered when comparing his to other soaps and the reason I use QED only now. His soaps are a little bit more money then the glycerine competitors out there but performance wise QED is a full step above them all. (IMHO of course). I was astonished the day I realized this (while shaving, naturally) and it made me put all my other soaps on ebay and buy more QEDs. Those EO (Essential Oils) probably have allot to do with it and he uses the good stuff (real oils) which costs more money and he totally avoids the synthetic fragrance additives. So yes, his soaps are thankfully full of good oils and hold lots of great fragrance but I can see how some people cannot tolerate that in rare occasions with overly sensitive skin. Luckily for me, I am not one of those people.

 

[Evbo]

To the OP: Try leaving the soap uncovered for about a week, and then use it again. Some of the EO will evaporate, and this may mellow the soap out enough so that you can use it without issue. However, if you have the same problem I'd either use it once in a blue moon or get rid of it entirely.

Good luck!

 

[HokieGeek]

To the OP: Try leaving the soap uncovered for about a week, and then use it again. Some of the EO will evaporate, and this may mellow the soap out enough so that you can use it without issue. However, if you have the same problem I'd either use it once in a blue moon or get rid of it entirely.

Good luck!

Hey, that's not a bad idea! I'll try anything before I give up on these soaps!

 

[rodeo]

Hey, that's not a bad idea! I'll try anything before I give up on these soaps!

Did you make contact with Charles at QED? That would have been my first step. Just wondering..

AND if you want to sell the left over "Anise & Lavendar" please let me know as I'd like to try that one. OR I'll trade you two slightly used tubs of Mama Bears soaps (Ye Olde barbershoppe and Sweetgrass) for the one tub of QED. Or one brand new tub of Mama Bears "Autumn Afternoon". your choice.

 

[HokieGeek]

Did you make contact with Charles at QED? That would have been my first step. Just wondering..

I sent an email this evening. You'll be the first one to find out if I throw in the towel!

 

[elveeskee]

I have a tub of his bay rum and it "heats" up my face as well. What I do is cut it with a little bit of KMF unscented and not load up the brush as much with the bay rum. Because Charles uses alot of EO, I still get that great scent.