If a soap irritates skin..

**pj_rage** · 02-08-2009, 06:39 PM

Yesterday I tried out HBS dragon's blood (love the scent) and found that during lathering it started to have a slight burning / numbing feeling. It wasn't too bad, so I completed the shave. About half way through I stopped noticing it. I didn't have any lasting irritation or anything and interestingly enough, I almost enjoyed the slight numbing sensation and the overall feeling.

What I'm wondering is if I enjoy it and it doesn't seem to have any lasting negative effects, should I still discontinue use?

FWIW I haven't had any similar experiences with any of the other HBS soaps I've tried, or any other soaps or products I've used.

**pj_rage** · 02-09-2009, 04:27 AM

Ahh, now I just tried the peppermint HBS and had the same thing. It's mostly on the upper lip.

So far for HBS: Vetyver, Yuzu, Coffee Mocha, and Almond = no burning, and Peppermint and Dragon's blood cause the burning. I have a sandalwood puck from HBS that I'll try tomorrow, but I think it will be OK. I had a feeling the peppermint would do this, though. It smells nice, but something about the smell seemed like it would do the same as the Dragon's blood. And by the smell of the dragon's blood, I can't say I was surprised when it was burning me. It smells nice and spicy. And feels that way on the face too!

**MikeLip** · 02-09-2009, 04:38 AM

Mama bear warns of this on her web page. You seem to have some sensitivity to the oils she uses to scent her soaps. It's unlikely that it's the soap itself. You could try something like Institut Karite or Mamas unscented and see what happens.

**SRock** · 02-09-2009, 04:47 AM

Originally Posted by MikeLip

Mama bear warns of this on her web page. You seem to have some sensitivity to the oils she uses to scent her soaps. It's unlikely that it's the soap itself. You could try something like Institut Karite or Mamas unscented and see what happens.

I've been fortunate enough not to have any reactions to any soap, cream etc. However, I'd say give an unscented soap a try, like Mike suggested. You could even contact MamaBear and ask her for suggestions.

**pj_rage** · 02-09-2009, 04:51 AM

Oh yeah, it's definitely not her soap itself. As I mentioned, there have been 4 of her soaps already that have been GREAT - no adverse reactions whatsoever. And I expect that number to go to 5 when I try the sandalwood. It's just something in the Dragon's Blood and Peppermint scents. It must be a particular oil/fragrance in those soaps.

I really don't think my skin is particularly sensitive or anything, but for some reason those 2 got me.

**Bertilak** · 02-09-2009, 07:04 AM

Originally Posted by pj_rage

Oh yeah, it's definitely not her soap itself. As I mentioned, there have been 4 of her soaps already that have been GREAT - no adverse reactions whatsoever. And I expect that number to go to 5 when I try the sandalwood. It's just something in the Dragon's Blood and Peppermint scents. It must be a particular oil/fragrance in those soaps.

I really don't think my skin is particularly sensitive or anything, but for some reason those 2 got me.

What's in Dragon's Blood? Does it contain menthol, eucalyptus, camphor or other similar ingredient? Peppermint contains menthol. I think there is a reason peppermint is called peppermint. Some organic compounds aggravate the nerve endings by their very nature. To some people it is a pleasant sensation, to others an unpleasant irritant. I happen to find all of the above quite unpleasant -- not an allergy, just a personal dislike for an intended effect.

**pj_rage** · 02-09-2009, 07:25 AM

Originally Posted by Robert Paulsen

What's in Dragon's Blood? Does it contain menthol, eucalyptus, camphor or other similar ingredient? Peppermint contains menthol. I think there is a reason peppermint is called peppermint. Some organic compounds aggravate the nerve endings by their very nature. To some people it is a pleasant sensation, to others an unpleasant irritant. I happen to find all of the above quite unpleasant -- not an allergy, just a personal dislike for an intended effect.

I'm not sure what's in either of the soaps. FWIW I use peppermint EO in my thayer's witch hazel to no ill effect. It sort of feels mentholy and cooling, but not burning or bad. I've also tried the peppermint EO directly on my face after shaving, in my most irritated areas, as a control test, and it also did not burn or feel like using the peppermint soap (or dragon's blood for that matter).

Both the dragon's blood and peppermint felt the same. A burning/numbing sensation most of which was on the upper lip. The sensation fades by the second pass, and it's never THAT bad to begin with. I liken the "pain" (if you can call it that) to a "3" if a "10" is the burn that the thayer's witch hazel has after a rough shave. Like I said, I almost enjoy it. I don't know if I'd use it everyday, but every once in a while it's almost a nice sort of change. With the slightly numbed face, it gives an interesting shave which I liked.

**alabamalawyer** · 02-09-2009, 08:31 AM

The concentration of FO or EO in a certain soap can cause some skin sensitivity issues. If the problem persists you probably want to discontinue use of that particular soap.

**cvac** · 02-09-2009, 11:01 AM

Sometimes a slight warming or tingling can turn into an unbearable burning if you use something you're getting a skin reaction to over several days. I would try it maybe once more and see what happens. If it does it again, I would get rid of it or use it as bath soap (not on the face).

**millertime150** · 02-09-2009, 03:28 PM

I own Green Irish Tweed and ?Ye Olde Barbershop. They both bother my upper lip but it gets better after the first pass. GIT is more intense. I left the lids off and used several times and I think it is better. Still burns slightly though,.

**ctakim** · 02-14-2009, 05:25 AM

I have only had a skin reaction to one soap, HBS Coconut Oil. I like the scent and shave, but the tingling was noticable and I had some redness and in grown hairs after using it. I suspect it is the essential oils added or possibly the shea butter. Too bad for me because it was a great soap performance wise and the scent was very nice, too.

This is not meant as a knock on HBS, they have great products.

**sas71** · 02-14-2009, 08:19 AM

to a person with sensitive skin..citrus might not be good either. was it mamas bears site that said the Dragons blood might not work for someone with sensitive or have i read that at other places to.