Soaps, Ingredients, and Effects

[petr]

How does soap ingredients effect our skin? Many gents, me included, are enjoying the richer ingredients in artisan soaps. Ingredients like lanolin, shea butter, mango butter, kokum, avocado oil, and almond oil.

My question is do these ingredients clog pores? Is that why soaps of the past (and large producers) are more concerned with washing away cleanly? Are richer ingredients not used by larger makers simply because they are cost (profit) prohibitive?

We all know they leave our face more softened and supple. That's terrific. But, what are the long term effects?

I learned something while using an intensely rich (tamanu oil, rosehip oil, vit e, aloe, almond oil) aftershave balm in the past. It worked too well. My theory is that it made my skin so soft that over weeks my skin was less resilient to facing a blade every day. The razor burn got intense. I also noticed an increase in clogged pores in my neck area. Possible?

Thoughts?

 

[rickboone1]

They're fine. Just shave. What are the long term effects of the air you breathe? It'll kill you. One day. Some artisan soaps are not too far off from what you'd buy elsewhere. Others are just common cheap ingredients compiled together to bring you a puck of crap. Search Etsy or ebay and try it.

 

[celestino]

Well, i guess it depends what you want to get out of the soaps. If you do not want soft skin, then you should stop using the artisan soaps with the moisturizing ingredients, but i have not really found that they make my skin more prone to razor burn. It could be other variables, in my opinion. Never noticed clogged pores with the ones i use and i also use Shea Butter as a balm, afterwards.
Good luck.

 

[kingfisher]

I don't know why the bigger manufacturers don't use skin moisturizing ingredients, but I love my artisan soaps that contain them. I do not believe that your burn and those ingredients are related in any way.

 

[Face&Head]

I'm old and I find these artisanal products are wonderful for my skin. Since my 22 year old son started traditional shaving his skin is largely blemish free and looks better than it has in years.

 

[petr]

They're fine. Just shave. What are the long term effects of the air you breathe? It'll kill you. One day. Some artisan soaps are not too far off from what you'd buy elsewhere. Others are just common cheap ingredients compiled together to bring you a puck of crap. Search Etsy or ebay and try it.

I wasn't referring to effects like ... parabans for example. These are all "natural" soaps to the extreme. And, I love them.

KF, you know the condition MW leaves your face. It's probably the most effective post shave love of any soap. An extreme example.

Another question is ... how are these oils treating our brushes? Are they robbing your backbone? Me thinks ... yes, a little.