Mama Bear Irritation?

[Kcaps]

I bought a tub of Mama Bear Almond soap off the BST a few weeks back. The first time I used it I also used a boar for the first time in months. After the shave my face was BRIGHT red, almost like a sun burn. It didn't hurt too much, but it was a little tender. I wasn't sure if it was from the soap, or the brush (maybe pushing too hard after using soft badgers for months) but it was right before bed, so I hit the sack and it was gone in the morning. Yesterday morning I tried it again, this time with a New Forest 2201 two band finest. This is the brush I usually use for soaps and I have never had any irritation using it. I lathered up the Mama Bear Almond, then applied it. AGAIN irritation. Not nearly as bad as the first time, but still, there was irritation.

Whats the deal?? Has anyone else experienced irritation form Mama Bear? What could be the cause. I have NEVER had any reactions to ANY soap or cream I have used in the past (and that is a fair amount). Thanks guys.

 

[BladeRunner001]

Steve,
MB Almond soap is one of the mildest and best soaps I use...I have never experienced any "reaction" from it (or any of her soaps). Is this the first time using it or had you used it before? I think it may also be the brush

 

[Leche]

Maybe your skin doesn't like the almond oils. Do you have any nut allergies?

 

[dklaiman]

I tried two other varieties of MB soaps. My skin reacted to both of them. I figured I was allergic to the oils in them and passed them on to a friend who uses them with no problem. It was really too bad, because they produced a great lather. I may try other scents in the future.

 

[talibeard]

I never used it but when visiting the Dutch Barbershop some time ago Paul let me smell a couple of MB's (I didn't have much choice in the matter btw). Probably due to the type/quantity of essential oils in there my eyes and nose started dripping within seconds. The irritation of my sinusses followed shortly after that and lasted for hours. From just 4 or 5 deep sniffs! Some shampoos in the past did that too but that was because of the formaldehydes; those shampoos irritated my skin pretty bad so there might be a link.

 

[Jabo]

I've seen threads discussing irritation from Mama Bear's Dragon Blood soap, but not any of the others. I have 3-4 MB soaps in my rotation (including Dragon Blood), and none have ever bothered my skin.

 

[joec22]

I have tried 2 this week with irritation/stinging/burning while I'm shaving, especially after the first or second pass. It wasn't enough for me to run out of the room, just annoying. I did not have redness or rash. The two I tried, like the Almond, were FO. Next time I may try the EO to see if it improves.

 

[guitarslinger]

MB Hydrogen and Tobacco burned me like fire.

 

[Kcaps]

Steve,
MB Almond soap is one of the mildest and best soaps I use...I have never experienced any "reaction" from it (or any of her soaps). Is this the first time using it or had you used it before? I think it may also be the brush

I used it twice. The first time was the worst reaction, while the second time it improved. I am not giving up on it yet! The redness was maybe tender, but didn't actually hurt, so I will give it a few more goes and see how it does.

 

[NewYorkBuck]

I have about a dozen MBs, but for some reason Aged Spice and Ye Olde Barbershop both irritate my skin a bit. A guess, but me thinks they are similar and both contain a common irritating ingredient. Too bad to, I love both scents.

 

[Inked Daddy]

Mammabear makes some great soaps but I also have had some minor irritation with a few of them... nothing too bad other then making my skin burn slightly. I am sensitive to some deodarants and have had the same reaction with the at times.

I do think her stuff may not be the best for those with sensitive skin.

 

[rsaltonstall]

So far I have only tried two Mama Bear soaps--Sandalwood & Rose and Bonzai. I get no irritation from the Bonzai, but I do get a slight itch on my cheeks with the Sandalwood and Rose. The SR also leaves the skin on my upper cheek bones a bit dry and flaky, which is easily remedied with a moisturizer or balm. I suppose I have an allergic reaction to either the sandalwood or rose fragrance used in the SR.

 

[BladeRunner001]

I used it twice. The first time was the worst reaction, while the second time it improved. I am not giving up on it yet! The redness was maybe tender, but didn't actually hurt, so I will give it a few more goes and see how it does.

Sounds great...keep experimenting and I don't mean to preach, but make sure you eliminate the variable of the brush...use the same brush every time

 

[rsaltonstall]

Sounds great...keep experimenting and I don't mean to preach, but make sure you eliminate the variable of the brush...use the same brush every time

There may be something to do this because I get less irritation from the Sandalwood and Rose when I use a less dense brush, and the irritation is even less when I bowl lather rather than face lather. It may be that working the Sandalwood and Rose soap on my face to create a lather with a dense brush aggravates the possible allergy for me.

 

[miamimoe]

I have not used MB soaps, so take my comment with a grain of salt. I have found that fragranced soaps with a lot of fragrance oils or essential oils will irritate my skin. It seems that some of the quality soaps, including MB are rich in these ingredients. Too bad, because I really wanted to buy some, but have sadly concluded that for me, soaps that contain very small amounts of scent are the ticket. As noted by others, you do need to experiment to make sure the soap is the problem, and not the hardware or your technique. I would also add that almond oil can be irritating to some people.