Vintage shaving cream.is it safe?

[JoeBass]

Hey all,

I recently came across an old tube of Williams Golden Yellow shaving cream, and from what I can find on the web, it looks like this tube may have been manufactured and sold anywhere from the late 1950's to 1970's. I'm wondering if it would still be "safe" to use. My main concern would be with the metal squeeze tube, and perhaps the use of lead in manufacturing the tube. Were they up on the problems with lead by the late 1950's? Any info or opinions would be greatly appreciated. I'd love to be able to give this stuff a try.

Thanks much,
Joe

 

[olschoolsteel]

That looks cool. I'd use it. But I am also livin livida loca. If I die, I will be freshly shaved 'cause I know the undertaker will only do a half-*** job. Not near as good as I can.

Dont be sceered. Lather it up!

 

[mblakele]

Probably late 1960s or 1970s, I think. The lanolin shave cream seems to have been introduced by 1942, but that packaging looks close to the 1970s to me. Also the "net wt. 5 oz." makes it likely to be 1967 or later. Any zip codes or bar codes? Addresses? Other markings?

Of course I would try it: one shave will not do you any harm. Even if the tube does contain lead, it should not have much and it should not leach much into the cream because the cream is close to pH neutral, or a little basic. And after all these years if the cream could leach a lot of lead out of the tube, the tube itself would be damaged. Finally you are shaving with it, not eating it.

 

[graysonhenryrussell]

I would not use it, its not worth taking a chance. If you will send it to me I will properly dispose of it. Always willing to help a fellow b&b member.

 

[oldbluelight]

Lead - Schmed! It ain't all that dangerous as long as it ain't entering your body at high velocity. Let's see, if they were using lead to make tubes for shaving cream in the 50's and they only stopped in the 70's or 80's then they were probably using the same tubes for toothpaste. That means that I was brushing my teeth with lead-laced Colgate for 20 or 30 years. As near as Iiiiiii cannnnn tel it hassssssssssn't dun mi noooooo Harm. UMM? Where was I---uh as I was sayyyyying uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

 

[T.Orso]

If it were great cream, wouldn't the tube have been used up all those years ago? It looks like someone squeezed it just once.

Maybe the original owner didn't live long enough to use the rest. What if the cream itself were the cause of that person's untimely demise?

Less imaginatively, wouldn't the lanolin and other oils be rancid after all these years? How does it smell?

I would put it on a high shelf. It looks cool.

 

[groovyd]

I'd be more concerned the entire contents are just plain rancid. Lanolin is an animal fat. Not sure sealing the end of the tube entirely stops time... curious

In any case I got a brand new tube of lead-free Proraso if you want to swap

 

[JoeBass]

Took a small amount and sort of lathered it up in my palm. Doesn't smell rancid. Slightly medicinal, but not rancid. I'll give it a try next shave and see what happens. Thanks much for the help, folks!

 

[FL shaver]

That looks like great stuff. I love lanolin in my soaps and creams. Post a shot or two of the lather, will ya?

 

[onefallinghope]

Looks fantastic to me, and the tube looks pristine. I wouldn't have even stopped to make this post, my post would be pictures of the lather and the shave!! Go for it!! And more pictures!!

 

[MegaBullfrog09]

I say use it. I have a tube of vintage Palmolive Lather Cream from the 50's. I used it once, and it was actually a pretty good shave. I'll use it once a year until it's gone. It was only .75 oz... a travel tube I reckon.

 

[ZackP]

 

[JoeBass]

Just tried the stuff out, and it indeed still works great after all these years. Slight menthol odor, lathered up fast, with a little going a long way, and I had a great shave with it!

 

[FL shaver]

Better than I expected! Looks like Tabac cream density. The post-shave feel must be great!

 

[77TransAm]

Lead - Schmed! It ain't all that dangerous as long as it ain't entering your body at high velocity. Let's see, if they were using lead to make tubes for shaving cream in the 50's and they only stopped in the 70's or 80's then they were probably using the same tubes for toothpaste. That means that I was brushing my teeth with lead-laced Colgate for 20 or 30 years. As near as Iiiiiii cannnnn tel it hassssssssssn't dun mi noooooo Harm. UMM? Where was I---uh as I was sayyyyying uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Oh boy, that made my night

 

[InkEd]

I find it funny that guys on here have ZERO problems using antique razors that have rust spots and probably somebody's blood on them at some point BUT get nervous about using a tube of shave cream from a couple decades ago.

 

[poppi]

I have used vintage creams with no problem. Found that they usually work quite well.

The only thing I would mention is to check the ingredients list. I had a tube of vintage Gillette SC that contained peanut oil. That might have caused someone a problem if they were allergic. Just sayin'

 

[NingYupOwaDat]

Finally you are shaving with it, not eating it.

+1

 

[rxonmymind]

Lather looks good! Lead, ha! As kids we chewed this stuff like dog bones at school. Especially at test time which got our nervousness out. #2 taste horrible btw