shaving cream spoilage

[Rivguy]

As a long time wet shaver I have never had to deal with product spoilage. In the past I would purchase a product or two and then use them until they were gone and then buy some more. Now that I have, shall we say, a larger inventory of both soaps and creams I am curious about product spoilage, particularly as it relates to creams. I know that the English products say that they will last for 12 months, and I am assuming that is a guide.

My question is that with so many products in rotation, how long should I expect a good quality cream to last before it goes bad. I have many TOBS creams and a new jar of Castle Forbes that I would hate to see spoil before I can finish them. I store them tightly covered in a cabinet away from the sink but they are still in the shave den which certainly will have a higher humidity lever from time to time.

Any thoughts or experiences on this topic would be greatly appreciated gents.

Thank you,

Doug

 

[BladeRunner001]

Hi Doug,
There are several threads about this, but I always refrigerate my cremes and take whatever sample I need for the week. I never had spoilage problems yet. it works wonders and extends the shelf life quite a bit. I have heard of many products going bad/rancid after awhile (especially prone with NancyBoy product shave cremes, which I love a lot)

Anyways, that's what I do and it works for me

 

[Gophred]

My guess is that the creams are more at risk than the soaps, but I, like you, Rivguy, am in the experimentation phase, having just acquired a large menagerie of products. Time will tell....
-Fritz

 

[Silky Glide]

I discovered this summer, which was an unusually warm one in NYC, that some creams have an unfortunate reaction to high temperatures. In particular, I had a full tube of Spieck and Wars stiffen up in the tube into a hard waxy consistency and even when I manage to coax some cream out of the tube, it takes a while to get it to soften enough to lather with a brush. My solution was to cut the end of the tube and squeeze the product into a separate container and use it like a soft soap. Not the same as using a cream but it works. Some of my other creams, GFT, Musgo and Lavanda which were exposed to the same heat did not react the same way.

 

[spindlecone]

Never had a problem, think you might lose some of the volitile aromatics to evap, but the soap will perform the same.

 

[njpaddy]

I rotate 5 tubs of Vintage Blades and TOBS creams and a tube of Proraso. All are at least 12 months old and I haven't noticed any change in the scent or lather. I keep mine in a drawer in my bedroom dresser.

 

[Pebcak]

My experience is like spindlecones. I've had a tub of T&H Grafton and Proraso creams for over a year and while the scent has mellowed,just a bit mind you, the shave from either is still outstanding.

 

[biomesh]

I have plenty of creams that are easily over five years old. They all are still fine, although probably have thickened up some. I live in Texas and as long as you keep them in a relatively cool and dry place (under 80 degrees) you should be fine. Just don't keep them in direct sunlight (mainly due to temperature changes).