"New" formulations problematic?

[bald1]

Maybe I've been spoiled as my favorite shaving creams that I have on hand are still of the older formulations. I recently obtained sample packs from The Gentlemans Refinery and Truefitt & Hill. I knew TGR was of the newer persuasion and that T&H, like the others of the three Ts, had changed formulations. I believe its been 2 years or there abouts so the likelihood of being able to buy the old formulas is pretty remote.

Why do I say "spoiled"? Well thusfar in trying the samples I've been underwhelmed at their lathering propensities compared to my old tried and true. I will admit though that despite the lack of luxurious lather, I'm still getting smooth comfortable shaves. But it just seems like something is missing without those meringue peaks

With my Taylor's Rose 98% depleted, I now wonder if I buy a replacement will it too perform like these other brand samples? Decent shaves but lackluster lather? I'd appreciate any counsel, advice, and wisdom from those who have preceded me. THX

 

[bald1]

Well I think I've found my answers. Yes the newer stuff isn't the same although fairly close. No the newer stuff doesn't lather quite as well but still should be good. No clue why I'm having issues with these samples.

Further most US distributors of Taylors and Trumpers should have the paraben stuff although stocks are getting quite low.

 

[HoratioCaine]

Where did you hear T&H reformulated their creams? It's well documented that they reformulated three of their colognes about five years ago or so, but I had not heard that the creams had been reformulated.

 

[memoryleak]

What's that ?, my most recent pot of T&H Sandalwood (still wrapped) from QED still showed parabens in the ingredients. FWIW, I've heard that the US will continue to get "old" formulations whilst the nanny state gets the "new",
at least until stock is depleted.

 

[HoratioCaine]

Still wondering what the "reformulation" theories are based on. Can anybody point to some solid info?

 

[bald1]

Still wondering what the "reformulation" theories are based on. Can anybody point to some solid info?

There were several threads over on shavemyface discussing the reformulation of the "three Ts" which are all made by the same outfit in the UK. Some date back to 2007 and detail the EU mandates about ingredients. Since then there has also been discussions about whether paraben-free stocks are being sold in the US. Taylors seems to be the only one which has publicly acknowledged the reformulation.

memoryleak's "put" above seems correct too regarding what is being sold where, at least for the time being.

 

[HoratioCaine]

I remember the discussion on SMF back on '07. I also remember that nobody really knew what was going on. Some people claimed reformulation; others said it was a manufacturing snafu with Creightons, because they relocated their facilities and put out some off product for a time, but that it got straightened out. The main brands associated with the gaffe were Trumper and Harris. In fact, I remember some members there (Gordon, for instance) saying it appeared T&H was the only brand not affected. I haven't been to SMF in quite a while, so I haven't followed the discussion since that time. However, I'm reluctant to believe a claim of reformulation based solely on the speculation of that time; it was quite a Chicken Little fiasco, if memory serves.

I have newer tubs of Trumper creams. I can say that the scent of their coconut cream is definitely different than it used to be, but the cream itself remains unchanged, as far as I can tell; it lathers as well as it ever did. I bought a tub of T&H rose last fall, and while I never had their rose cream before, the consistency seems on a par with older T&H creams I have, such as Trafalgar, which predate 2007, and it lathers just as well.

As for the whole paraben thing, that might be a new wrinkle. The most recent T&H and Trumper stock I have still list parabens on the label, so if there has been a change, I don't think it dates back to the 2007 debacle.

 

[bald1]

Yes I mentioned threads going back to 2007, but I also alluded to more recent discussion about the EU banning parabens, etc. which obviously means reformulation. Again it seems that it is, at least for now, an issue on the other side of the pond. And, being redundant, as memoryleak opined, we're okay stateside as long as the old stocks last.

 

[HoratioCaine]

...I also alluded to more recent discussion about the EU banning parabens, etc. which obviously means reformulation.

As far as I can see, you refer to paraben-free products twice in this thread, but nowhere did you actually say the EU banned parabens. I don't know why you would expect me to infer the latter from the former, unless you presume that such a ban is common knowledge. Not only is it not common knowledge, it's not even true. The EU has not banned parabens, although there is talk all the time about whether or not they might. The anti-paraben stance is prevalent among a number of consumer groups, and some businesses are responding to the pressure by producing paraben-free formulas. TOBS is one such company, and Chris Fisher on SMF reports that the new Harris rose shaving cream is also paraben free. TGR founded their company in part on a paraben-free stance, so I don't know that it's entirely accurate to say their products are of the "newer persuasion," since they've always been that way. T&H Ultimate Comfort shaving cream has always been paraben-free, as well, but I had not heard that T&H had reformulated the rest of their creams to be paraben free. Ditto with Trumper. If you believe they have, please point to some solid information that confirms this. Just saying it's "obvious" carries no weight.

 

[bald1]

I don't understand what axe you have to grind here by parsing the hell out of my posts. If you choose to take and twist context so be it. TGR is of the new non-paraben persuasion and I did not say theirs was a reformulation.

As for the EU, my comments were based on what I understood from what others have said. The bottom line here is that there have been reports of paraben-free cremes that previous contained parabens from the three T's on the other side of the pond. I don't live there nor am I able to buy what is available to folks there so this is patently not first hand experience.

My original post was one of concern about reformulations as my stocks of various cremes are in need of replenishment. That has been clarified to my satisfaction and an order was placed yesterday with Phil at BullGoose.

 

[HoratioCaine]

I don't understand what axe you have to grind here by parsing the hell out of my posts. [...] My original post was one of concern about reformulations as my stocks of various cremes are in need of replenishment. That has been clarified to my satisfaction and an order was placed yesterday with Phil at BullGoose.

I get concerned when people start passing on misinformation as though it is fact. Your first post clearly stated that T&H had been reformulated, that the reformulations date back two years, and that it will be getting increasingly difficult to find the "old" formulations. That goes beyond mere concern and inquiry. It's a statement purporting to be fact that could be construed by others as true. I'm glad you got your questions worked out to your satisfaction, but you might want to consider what impact your statements have on other members.

 

[bald1]

As an sexagenarian I love the internet and especially those who seem to enjoy adopting the roles of grand inquisitor, arbiter of all presented, or universal subject matter expert.

As said above, my concerns have been satisfied. You do what you want....

 

[HoratioCaine]

As an sexagenarian I love the internet and especially those who seem to enjoy adopting the roles of grand inquisitor, arbiter of all presented, or universal subject matter expert.

You know, it's interesting. A lot of people here thank others for clarifying points of information they may have neglected to include, or have inadvertently misstated, in their posts. Most people seem to want to be accurate, even if it means admitting they weren't right to begin with. Conversely, you seem to take offense that I questioned what you had to say in the first place, and have gotten downright irate that I was not satisfied with the information you offered, which never actually answered my question. You lash out with terms like, "parsing the hell out of my posts," and "take and twist context," then call me names like "grand inquisitor," "arbiter of all presented," and "universal subject matter expert." It's a smoke screen as old as the hills, used by those who want to try to divert others' attention away from the fact they don't know what the hell they're talking about. You can't win on facts, so you start trashing your challenger. I believe thinking people can see through it. Like I said, I'm glad you got your questions answered. It's unfortunate that in the process of doing so, you've stated and relied on misinformation that you won't own up to. But as you say, do what you want.

 

[bald1]

What do you want? A pound of flesh? How many times have I got to say that it was my understanding based on what I had read in a wide variety of threads? Like I said.... you sir, seem to want not a clarification but genuflection at your alter of superior knowledge and that you will not get from me.

 

[mdunn]

im glad there are grand inquisitors here like young Mr HoratioCaine here to call shennanigans when people claim that T&H have reformulated, without then backing it up.

to the OP - calm down! Also, often samples are not as good as the real stuff for some reason. I suppose they might dry out a little.

 

[HoratioCaine]

What do you want? A pound of flesh? How many times have I got to say that it was my understanding based on what I had read in a wide variety of threads? Like I said.... you sir, seem to want not a clarification but genuflection at your alter of superior knowledge and that you will not get from me.

You could just say you don't actually know the T&H creams have been reformulated. Is that such a bitter pill to swallow? Talk about having an altar of superior knowledge.


Mdunn - thanks. I'm glad somebody gets it.

 

[Austin]

Gents, let's move on to other topics.

 

[Ignatius]

Also, often samples are not as good as the real stuff for some reason. I suppose they might dry out a little.

You know, a while back I was given a cream sample from the body shop (in one of their tiny jars) - it had completely dried and hardened a week or so later. This doesn't seem to happen to creams in full sized tubs, at least not for several years. I wonder why...

 

[mdunn]

You know, a while back I was given a cream sample from the body shop (in one of their tiny jars) - it had completely dried and hardened a week or so later. This doesn't seem to happen to creams in full sized tubs, at least not for several years. I wonder why...

possibly greater surface area to cream volume ratio, could also be in production that they are uncapped longer than other jars. Could be that because they are smaller, and have a smaller thermal mass they are more effected by temperature fluctuations

 

[Confilo]

Is Tiger Woods a sexagenarian?