Tabac = Pimple Fertilizer.

auk1124 · #1 11-07-2009, 05:32 AM

Used my puck for six straight days, no other change to my routine at all, and now I have acne breakouts (this is most definitely not razor burn - Lord knows I can tell the difference).

My skin is weird and I have always suffered from blemishes etc.and unusual sensitivities but there is something in the Tabac not agreeing with me upon prolonged use. Back to using it once a week or so I suppose.

It is a shame because its the best lathering soap I have tried.

chainfire · #2 11-07-2009, 05:55 AM

If you have a lot of redness in your face too you may want to check out info on rosacea...you could be in the early stages (my wife has it and has a lot of the symptoms you describe).

WhosYerBob · #3 11-07-2009, 06:04 AM

Don't despair - there are other excellent tallow soaps available like Prairie Creations, MWF and AOS. I found the three I list to behave very well with my super-sensitive face.

redbike · #4 11-07-2009, 07:00 AM

Institute Karite (IK) is also very gentle on facial skin.

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthr...p?ltr=I&t=3695

scoopster · #5 11-07-2009, 07:18 AM

Lots of gentle, mildly scented soaps out there:

Truefitt & Hill Ultimate Comfort
Provence Sante

Come to mind.

Samouraï · #6 11-07-2009, 12:14 PM

just rotate your soaps, everyone doing it.

Aaron01 · #7 11-07-2009, 12:20 PM

Maybe you are reacting to the fragrance, you might want to try something unscented to see if that works...

synapticmisfires · #8 11-07-2009, 01:13 PM

I don't know, I'm still having acne and when I use tabac, below my beardline is the clearest skin on my whole face, almost nothing. I'm starting to the that maybe I should lather my entire face just to get the skin clearing benefits.

I was suspicious of tabac too, because I thought surely tallow can't be good for one's skin, but now I think just the opposite. Even if you think nothing else has changed, 6 days is waaaay too small of a sample size. The random variation in diet and stress probably doesn't cancel out over 6 days. Granted my sample size is quite small too (~12-13 shaves spread over ~17 days), but the economist in me is screaming that you have to worry about small, unmeasured heterogeneity in your day-to-day behavior influencing the results.

SavantStrike · #9 11-07-2009, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by synapticmisfires

I don't know, I'm still having acne and when I use tabac, below my beardline is the clearest skin on my whole face, almost nothing. I'm starting to the that maybe I should lather my entire face just to get the skin clearing benefits.

I was suspicious of tabac too, because I thought surely tallow can't be good for one's skin, but now I think just the opposite. Even if you think nothing else has changed, 6 days is waaaay too small of a sample size. The random variation in diet and stress probably doesn't cancel out over 6 days. Granted my sample size is quite small too (~12-13 shaves spread over ~17 days), but the economist in me is screaming that you have to worry about small, unmeasured heterogeneity in your day-to-day behavior influencing the results.

Unless he's having an allergic reaction to the scent, in which case waiting longer will make it worse.

I'm guessing this is a scent allergy. Hey, at least he can use it for one day! I can't even use MWF... too scenty...

mdunn · #10 11-07-2009, 03:42 PM

p'haps you can continue to use tabac, just with an alc based aftershave

synapticmisfires · #11 11-07-2009, 04:35 PM

That is a good point, in the event of an allergic reaction he should definitely discontinue use (immediately and completely actually). If he can use it once at a time though, I wonder if it's really an allergy. It sounds like pimples, and in that case it could be a fluke.

auk1124 · #12 11-07-2009, 05:21 PM

Yep, could be some sort of reaction or could have been an extra greasy slice of pizza last week, but I am going to switch soaps for now anyway and see if things clear up. Might not be related at all but right now the soap is my No. 1suspect.

After things clear up for me I may try another extended bout of Tabac to see if the breakouts come back.

jsrdrnr · #13 11-07-2009, 05:29 PM

Yeah, give your face a break then try again. If it continues to happen the you will just have to not use it as much. Sounds like it may be the fragrance to me though. My husbands face will do the same thing with some soaps. The problem is that his face is so sensitive to the fragarance that he can only use them once before his face goes crazy.

dpmtherrien · #14 11-08-2009, 12:59 PM

Have you tried using an alum block after you're done shaving? It works wonders, and just might be the answer.

Mama Bear · #15 11-08-2009, 01:31 PM

Both tallow and cocoa butter are notorious for clogging pores.. You can use it, but rotate it with other soaps.. don't use it for long periods exclusively...

heirkb · #16 11-08-2009, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mama Bear

Both tallow and cocoa butter are notorious for clogging pores.. You can use it, but rotate it with other soaps.. don't use it for long periods exclusively...

Are they really? I have acne prone skin and use/prefer most tallow soaps. Damn, that spells doom for me. Time for me to get some witch hazel

McShaverson · #17 11-08-2009, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mama Bear

Both tallow and cocoa butter are notorious for clogging pores.. You can use it, but rotate it with other soaps.. don't use it for long periods exclusively...

Hm, that's weird, I've used Tabac for a month and a half with no problems. I think a good post shave treatment should leave you with no problems, but I could be wrong.

beginish · #18 11-08-2009, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SavantStrike

Unless he's having an allergic reaction to the scent, in which case waiting longer will make it worse.

I'm guessing this is a scent allergy. Hey, at least he can use it for one day! I can't even use MWF... too scenty...

If he can get his hands on a stick of Irisch Moos, he could test that theory, since it is supposed to be roughly the same soap as Tabac, but with a different scent.

Samouraï · #19 11-08-2009, 07:43 PM

tallow clogs pores? i am acne prone as well (none usually, but occasionally a few here and there, mostly if i get bad razor burn). I haven't noticed terrible acne because of my soaps...but who knows. why would a soap clog pores with a rinse and alcohol splash?

does anyone know for certain if this is true?

ChrisS86 · #20 11-15-2009, 07:56 PM

I knew cocoa butter was comedogenic, but I didn't suspect tallow. While I'm not sure of the validity of this site's content, it claims that tallow does not cause breakouts or other skin anomalies. Link. Basically it says that it is not tallow, but the cheap ingredients used in poorer quality soaps (like deodorant soaps in supermarkets) that can lead to skin inflammation.

Plus, if tallow were seriously comedogenic, i'm sure the members of the Tallow Loving Coalition would also be part of the hidden group: United Stridex Pad Lovers on B&B.