Lime EO Reaction?

[Snargle]

I received two tubs of Mama Bear's shaving soaps last week... Caribbean and Basil & Lime. Both smell great, lather well, and provide a great shave. The only problem I've noticed is a moderate burning/tingling on the face after lathering with them. Even now, an hour-and-a-half later, there's still a lingering burn from the Carribbean.

A primary ingredient in both soaps is Lime essential oil. I'm wondering if I could be having an allergic reaction to this oil? Has anyone else experienced this discomfort? I'm really disappointed, because otherwise, I love these soaps!

I think I'm going to retire these two soaps and, once I complete my "probation", post them on B/S/T. I'll probably try some other Mama Bear soaps, but I'm going to stay away from anything with lime.

 

[kingfisher]

Certainly could be a lime EO reaction, but being that both soaps are from the same soapmaker, it's a fair bet that the two soaps share a lot of ingredients, and it could be any one of them.

There are two ways to know for sure:

1) get lime EO in another product (like an aftershave or something) and see if your face reacts to that, or
2) Get a Mama Bear soap that doesn't have lime EO in it, and see if your face still reacts.

Since this is B&B, I'm going to recommend buying another soap.

 

[Jim]

I could be, make some lather and place it in the crook of your arm. Wait 15 min and rinse off. All will be revealed.

 

[Snargle]

2) Get a Mama Bear soap that doesn't have lime EO in it, and see if your face still reacts.

Since this is B&B, I'm going to recommend buying another soap.

Actually, I do have a stick of Mama Bear Lavender Peppermint soap and it didn't give me any problems...in fact, I'll probably order a tub next time around.

I could be, make some lather and place it in the crook of your arm. Wait 15 min and rinse off. All will be revealed.

I'll give that a try...thanks for the suggestion. I do like the scent of lime!

 

[Snargle]

An update:

I tried the inside of the elbow lather test with the Basil & Lime soap yesterday morning and didn't notice or feel any adverse reaction. I used the Caribbean soap this morning and had a great shave (EJ DE89L & Gillette 7 O'Clock Green), but still was feeling that annoying tingle/slight burn on the face. I'm definitely pulling both soaps out of my rotation and will soon be consigning them to the B/S/T forum. The Lavender Peppermint stick is still great and will probably be the primary soap in my travel kit.

I've used lime aftershaves and colognes in the past (many years past!) and don't recall any problems. I might want to try an inexpensive lime A/S just to confirm that I'm not allergic to anything with lime EO. Any recommendations?

 

[kingfisher]

An update:

.... I might want to try an inexpensive lime A/S just to confirm that I'm not allergic to anything with lime EO. Any recommendations?

Saint Charles Shave Extract of Lime aftershave in either the splash or the milk. Very nice products.

 

[Snargle]

Saint Charles Shave Extract of Lime aftershave in either the splash or the milk. Very nice products.

Thanks for the recommendation....I just ordered a sample of the Lime (along with several others) and I look forward to trying it out.

 

[Jim]

If your soap did not give you a reaction in your elbow pit then it may be a lathering or technique problem.

 

[Snargle]

It's not a shaving irritation...as soon as I brush it on my face, I can feel the burning sensation, even before I touch my face with the razor. I'm not experiencing any after-shaving irritation...everything feels fine afterwards, but it's just uncomfortable while the soap is on my face. Life is too short to put up with unneeded discomfort.

 

[RichGem]

If your soap did not give you a reaction in your elbow pit then it may be a lathering or technique problem.

"antecubital fossa"