QED Shaving Soap

**teamacacia** · 05-18-2006, 11:39 AM

Anyone have problems with the QED Soaps irritating the skin? I have used the Sandalwood twice and will use the Lavender for the second time tomorrow. Each time I have used it, it seems to leave my face with a slight burning sensation that wears off ASB application. Even if it is a mild allergy I'll probably use it up to the point that I can't stand it anymore b/c the scent is magnificent and the lather is one of the slickest.

**PoshRichM** · 05-18-2006, 12:05 PM

If you're like me, you might be seeing razor burn. I haven't had problems with chemical/allergic irritation, but I do find that high-end gylcerine soaps like QED's tend to allow me to shave closer than creams, and creams get me about as close as I can handle!

I'm getting back into soaps after a hiatus over the winter and early spring, so I'll keep hitting the soaps until I either get my technique down and stop "overshaving," or return to creams out of self-defense! I agree though, the scents and slickness are just outstanding.

-Rich

**Austin** · 05-18-2006, 12:45 PM

Todd, unfortunately it's a very common problem with QED soaps. I think it has to do with the amount essential oils that Charles uses in the soap.

**rustyblade** · 05-18-2006, 01:16 PM

I wanted to love the QED soaps, but the Grapefruit & Peppermint gave me burning sensations on my face. I really want to try some other QED soaps to see if it was just those EO's, but I am reluctant.

**teamacacia** · 05-18-2006, 01:34 PM

Originally Posted by Austin

Todd, unfortunately it's a very common problem with QED soaps. I think it has to do with the amount essential oils that Charles uses in the soap.

Thank you guys for the info. I can see that the EO's may have some correlation as the soaps are very strong in their scent. This may just have to be a trade off to deal with every once in a while as I am not sure I want to get rid of them.

**water** · 05-18-2006, 01:47 PM

I was planning on ordering a QED soap this week. I would say I have mildly sensitive skin and have used the QED Lime and Sandalwood without too much problem. Anyone have any suggestions? I am thinking either the Lavender or Tea Tree/Peppermint. My one fear is that the peppermint may be a bit harsh.

**roughrider** · 05-18-2006, 05:57 PM

Originally Posted by water

I was planning on ordering a QED soap this week. I would say I have mildly sensitive skin and have used the QED Lime and Sandalwood without too much problem. Anyone have any suggestions? I am thinking either the Lavender or Tea Tree/Peppermint. My one fear is that the peppermint may be a bit harsh.

QED Lime is pretty nice. I was going to suggest New Rose but Charles is in the process of reformulating it so it's not available at the moment.

**Gaelicboy** · 05-18-2006, 07:29 PM

the QEDman Lavender is one of the best soaps/creams I have used. I always get a great, BBS, non irritated shave with it. I am sorry to hear that some people have skin reactions to Charles' soap. I have used the Lavender (obviously), Pine & Cedarwood, and Anise & Lavender, all with great success. I just wish I could get a good lather as quickly as I do with creams (in about 1 minute) - I would use it every day!

I have irritation with Taylor's Rose shave cream, so I don't have bulletproof skin. I generally can only use Glycerin soaps to wash my face (and Nancy Boy soaps). I have heard that Tee tree causes irritation, but I may have heard wrong on that.

Water, I would suggest the QEDman Lavender. Fantastic scent, great lubrication, makes your skin supple (and while I'm at it, cures cancer!

)
(P.S. not a paid promotion by Charles

)

O.K.

**joel** · 05-18-2006, 07:49 PM

Originally Posted by Gaelicboy

the QEDman Lavender is one of the best soaps/creams I have used. I always get a great, BBS, non irritated shave with it. I am sorry to hear that some people have skin reactions to Charles' soap. I have used the Lavender (obviously), Pine & Cedarwood, and Anise & Lavender, all with great success. I just wish I could get a good lather as quickly as I do with creams (in about 1 minute) - I would use it every day!

I have irritation with Taylor's Rose shave cream, so I don't have bulletproof skin. I generally can only use Glycerin soaps to wash my face (and Nancy Boy soaps). I have heard that Tee tree causes irritation, but I may have heard wrong on that.

Water, I would suggest the QEDman Lavender. Fantastic scent, great lubrication, makes your skin supple (and while I'm at it, cures cancer!

)
(P.S. not a paid promotion by Charles

)

O.K.

Takes a minute to lather up Charles' soaps? Lemme guess... you have a soft "super" badger brush? If you try going at Charles' soaps with a stouter brush, like a $35 C&E Edwin Jagger Best Badger - it'll light up that SOB with lather in seconds.

**Steve** · 05-19-2006, 04:50 AM

I have senitive skin and use QED Lavender, Sandalwood and Bay Rum. I have no problem with the QED soaps. I do notice I shave closer with them and experience some slight stinging once in awhile if I over do it. I love a close shave so I tend to over do it most of the time.

I love the scents and the fact that they are made with essential oils rather than fragrance oils. The scents are not whimpy like many other soaps made with essential oils.

**Gaelicboy** · 05-19-2006, 05:34 AM

I think I phrased it wrong in my previous post. It takes me a minute to lather up a cream, and longer for Charles' soap.

Actually, Joel, I have used both my $28 Saville Row Best badger (22mm), and a Shavemac "silvertip" or super (23mm) to lather up using the QEDman.

I haven't really timed one against the other, but I get a better lather with the super badger. I'm not out to break any land speed records

. I just want a good, comfortable shave, and when I have the time, I'm willing to take the time to do it right!

I was just commenting on how much faster creams whip up, at least for me.

**teamacacia** · 05-19-2006, 05:59 AM

After further introspection and skin testing I have come to the conclusion that the reaction I was having was not an allergy. This morning I lathered up and let it set into the skin for a few minutes, wash, relather, and set up on the face. I would say the soap stayed on the skin a good 4-5 minutes without burning, irritation, etc. I then proceeded to relather and shave. During the second pass I had a mild amount of burning on the neck, but not too bad. As a few other members have mentioned I think that the burning was secondary to the shave and not the soap. Sorry, didn't mean to cause an uprising.

**guenron** · 05-19-2006, 06:58 AM

Originally Posted by teamacacia

After further introspection and skin testing I have come to the conclusion that the reaction I was having was not an allergy. This morning I lathered up and let it set into the skin for a few minutes, wash, relather, and set up on the face. I would say the soap stayed on the skin a good 4-5 minutes without burning, irritation, etc. I then proceeded to relather and shave. During the second pass I had a mild amount of burning on the neck, but not too bad. As a few other members have mentioned I think that the burning was secondary to the shave and not the soap. Sorry, didn't mean to cause an uprising.

My Goodness Todd! That would make you UNcommon!

**water** · 05-19-2006, 12:13 PM

I do notice I shave closer with them and experience some slight stinging once in awhile if I over do it.

I would say that this exactly matches my experience with QED soaps. I do not necessarily experience irritation from the soap itself as much as from my tendency to get a little over-aggressive.

Well, I am leaning toward getting the Lavender. After Gaelicboy's commercial, I mean recommendation

, it seems to be the winner.

**Gaelicboy** · 05-19-2006, 08:02 PM

You will not be disappointed, Water. I also really like the Pine & Cedarwood, and I lean more towards "Woodsy" scents. I have no problem with floral scents, and think QED Lavender is the best Lavender I have tried. I am leaning (hint: going to buy soon

) the tub of QED Sandalwood. So goes the SCAD (or is it just SAD? HA! Double entendre

)

Ahhh. Glad that it is Friday!

O.K.

Tye · 05-21-2006, 12:40 PM

I absolutely love the QED soaps. I have P/TT/P, Lime, Wild Orange, Anise & Lavender, Vanilla, Bay Rum and soon from Fisherc 2 sticks of Jasmine and 2 sticks of Neroli. I get my best shaves from the QED soaps, so much so that I've considered getting rid of my creams and using them exclusively. This is just my opinion and I have no relationship with QED other than that of a customer.

-Tye

**KUJO** · 05-21-2006, 04:22 PM

Originally Posted by Tye

I absolutely love the QED soaps. I have P/TT/P, Lime, Wild Orange, Anise & Lavender, Vanilla, Bay Rum and soon from Fisherc 2 sticks of Jasmine and 2 sticks of Neroli. I get my best shaves from the QED soaps, so much so that I've considered getting rid of my creams and using them exclusively. This is just my opinion and I have no relationship with QED other than that of a customer.

-Tye

Great idea Tye. I'll PM you my address to send all those excess creams that are now wasting gravity in your bathroom.