Welcome to B&B, Sir ScritchTheItch!I have sensitive skin. In the past 3 years my technique and equipment have reached a level where the only irritation is coming from the soap on my skin. I have tried many different products in my life (shaving and otherwise) and found that the presence of synthetics and/or synthetic "fragrance" in the ingredients list results in irritation. With shave soap, the irritation persists despite the use of high quality pre-shave and aftershave.
The problem is I have been struggling to find a performant natural soap. Badger Balm, for example, makes a shave soap with incredible (organic) ingredients and smell, but zero performance. (It pretends to lather then dries up on your face before you get your razor up. I have even written them to modify their high potential formula but they don't seem to be taking any action.) I haven't found any others with such clean lists.
To relax the search, I'm asking for recommendations for shave soaps that use essential oils in place of synthetic "fragrance" and lifting the requirement of a perfectly clean ingredients list. I figure this will get me close enough to what I need.
(First post.)
As others have reported with very sensitive skin, the search is largely one of trial-and-error.
Many have said issue is ingredients, others have said residual lye, yet for others it seems to be technique.
I suggest that you look for samples of shave soaps, regardless of essential oil or fragrance oil, and see what works best for you!
Best wishes and enjoy the journey!!