TOBS Reformulated?

[OCDshaver]

I picked up a tub of TOBS Mr Taylor at Pasteur's in NYC. I glanced at the ingredients list and saw the words "Parabens Free."

I compared this with the ingredients list on an older tub of TOBS (StJames) and found the usual conglomeration of parabens.

Has there been a change? The cream in the new tub works just as wonderfully as I remember.

Just wondering.......

 

[HoratioCaine]

Has there been a change? The cream in the new tub works just as wonderfully as I remember.

Yes, they've changed....again. It's frustrating for us old-timers, who never really got over the last change four years ago. I have no idea what this newest formulation is like, but if you're pleased with it, that's encouraging.

 

[mblakele]

Yes, but there's still quite a lot of the old stock out there. So unless you check with the vendor, you might get paraben-rich or you might get paraben-free. I have three tubs of TOBS in various flavors, two with and one without parabens. I have not noticed any difference in performance.

 

[Phog Allen]

You know, this whole reformulation thing is funny. I have always maintained that what you would have used in 1940 was different to 1950's/60's and so on. These companies haven't made their own products in many decades. And I am sure they have ALWAYS looked for ways to reduce costs, improve the product(yes, I am sure they would take an improvement if it didn't increase costs too much) change packaging, etc. Heck, it was either Trumper or Truefitt who used to sell their creams in porcelain jars. I'd imagine there was more than a bit of nose wrinkling when they went to plastic. I have become convinced, and have been for some time, that these toiletries change much more than we realise. As you mention, if it is performing satisfactorily, then all is well.

Regards, Todd

 

[luvmysuper]

You know, this whole reformulation thing is funny. I have always maintained that what you would have used in 1940 was different to 1950's/60's and so on. These companies haven't made their own products in many decades. And I am sure they have ALWAYS looked for ways to reduce costs, improve the product(yes, I am sure they would take an improvement if it didn't increase costs too much) change packaging, etc. Heck, it was either Trumper or Truefitt who used to sell their creams in porcelain jars. I'd imagine there was more than a bit of nose wrinkling when they went to plastic. I have become convinced, and have been for some time, that these toiletries change much more than we realise. As you mention, if it is performing satisfactorily, then all is well.

Regards, Todd

To a degree, I agree with you. I mean, no one would expect that modern Coca Cola be kept in it's original format and still contain cocaine. Many products today have evolved due to exigent circumstances, some of which the manufacturer has no control over.
But to a certain extent, there is an accumulative effect over time. Manufacturers make changes if the effect of the change is slight as compared to cost or benefit.
As you suggest, these changes probably happen quite frequently. It is not in a company's best interest to notify its customers that they are changing, unless the change is perceived as a good thing, such as the "paraben free" crap.
But these small changes, even though there is an almost imperceptable difference in the product, accumulate so that the product you are using today is not the same product you used 5 years ago, and the rate of change is so slow that people don't realize the loss of quality unless they are afforded an opportunity to compare the old and the new side by side.

 

[HoratioCaine]

You know, this whole reformulation thing is funny. I have always maintained that what you would have used in 1940 was different to 1950's/60's and so on. These companies haven't made their own products in many decades. And I am sure they have ALWAYS looked for ways to reduce costs, improve the product(yes, I am sure they would take an improvement if it didn't increase costs too much) change packaging, etc. Heck, it was either Trumper or Truefitt who used to sell their creams in porcelain jars. I'd imagine there was more than a bit of nose wrinkling when they went to plastic. I have become convinced, and have been for some time, that these toiletries change much more than we realise. As you mention, if it is performing satisfactorily, then all is well.

Todd, you're right, of course. That doesn't make it any easier to accept. Moreover, there is something disingenuous about companies that sell the image of tradition and old-timeyness continually modifying their products.

 

[luvmysuper]

Todd, you're right, of course. That doesn't make it any easier to accept. Moreover, there is something disinenuous about companies that sell the image of tradition and old-timeyness continually modifying their products.

Bravo. Well said.

 

[Phog Allen]

Agreed chaps. I for one would be perfectly happy to pay a few dollars more for certain soaps or creams if I knew the little gnomes named Reg, Roger, and so forth were still in the back of apothecary, mixing and making this stuff by hand. In many ways, I suspect the consistency and quality control is much better now with automated processes. Still, there is just something about handmade product that has a certain appeal to it. More than that dang it, I just like it.

Regards, Todd

 

[blantyre]

I have the "no parabens" Avocado cream. Seems to work just the same as the old stuff - if anything a slightly better scent.

 

[Sueto]

Which TOBS cream was the first non-paraben? I have used Jermyn Street and it was the first I noticed of the 3 I had started with that did not have parabens. Maybe they used Jermyn Street to do a market test? It's one of my favorites I would have to say.

 

[Chuck Norris]

Very good points being brought up here. I am a true believer in not ruining a good thing, and i abhor changes made for the sake of cutting cost. However, the entire TOBS cream line, as it has been for the last few years, is irritating to my skin which is such a bummer.
I hope it was the Paraben that caused this, and I hope the new formula allows me to use them.
Paraben is a preservative which is added to products that contain moisture (which leads to mold etc) it's my guess that it doesn't have any performance enhancing quality so it shouldn't be missed.
I am actually planning on grabbing a tub of the new Avocado tomorrow, I'll report back later on it's performance.

PS imagine what price the old formula Coca-Cola would fetch on the BST

 

[HoratioCaine]

Paraben is a preservative which is added to products that contain moisture (which leads to mold etc) it's my guess that it doesn't have any performance enhancing quality so it shouldn't be missed.

I don't think anybody is missing the parabens themselves. Rather, I think people are concerned about the changes in formulation that are required to accomodate different preservatives with difference consistencies and different effects on the other ingredients.

I haven't seen any real concern over parabens being irritants, although I suppose it's always possible for any ingredient to be an irritant to somebody. Rather, the larger concern is over the (not scientifically established) link between parabens and cancer. I'll be interested to hear if non-paraben formulas are less irritating for you than those containing parabens.

 

[rosborne]

If TOBs new formula is working great then wonderful. The thing I think is crazy is the risk these guys take. First of all, lets say I buy some TOBs Mr Taylor. Considering the mix of other soaps/creams I have, I won't be buying another Mr Taylor for probably a year. I know, try not to gasp. On top of that, they are selling to what I believe to be a rather small market, of gentlemen who appreciate the finer options available for shaving, so they should know if their product is sub-par, they can very well lose the small market they have and even small, sneaky changes, we will pick up on. Sure, at first I may question if I screwed up the lather, but eventually, I'll put it together and ditch the stuff. I think they really are nuts making changes that aren't truly necessary. Another thought on my mind, when they reformulate, they should probably ditch bragging about being around since 1800 or what ever and trying to maintain that image of classic, traditional, old school product.

Final note, following on the coke thing....does anyone remember "New" Coke. Yeah, that worked out well.

 

[Stubblefield]

I don't mind the subtraction of parabens, myself . . . I just wish they'd add tallow back into their soaps and creams.