Anything that can go wrong will happen while I'm shaving...

The prodigal son returns! Tomorrow evening, it goes for a test run.

Happy happy joy joy!

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VERY happy for you Paul!!

The prodigal son returns! Tomorrow evening, it goes for a test run.

Happy happy joy joy!

So, the jury is still out, but I am really starting to believe that this preshave oil has been doing a lot for my post-shave complexion. Maybe I still don't wield the razor well? Maybe my skin has problems? Maybe I've just been unlucky as of recent? Whatever the reason, I've seen improvement in the past 4 or so shaves, with the oils.

It's a very cheap, very simple 'homemade' recipe. I got the tip from Chris (of Backroads Gold). When I first mixed it up and tested it on my skin I was let down. It wasn't slick at all... In fact, I'd almost say it hindered 'glide'. I guess that is not the point, though? It seems to provide an extra layer, at least for the first two passes. This seems to keep my skin a little (good amount, actually) less agitated. Also, the oils are supposed to be beneficial for skin health - so they're working some other 'magic', supposedly, in the background. I don't know, but my complexion right after shaving is a fair bit better, even when I used one of my harsher scents (one I've been on the fence about recently). I'm skeptically optimistic, at this point.

The jury is still out, but if I had to make a decision today, I'd say it's a keeper. At the price (about $15 for ~11oz), It won't break the bank either. Anyone who is interested, it is a Fortified castor oil (vitamin E) mixed with Avocado oil. About 70/30 or 60/40 - I went thinner (60/40) on this first mix, fwiw.

Happy Monday folks!

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Interesting and hope it pans out in final analysis

Interesting and hope it pans out in final analysis

Thanks Dave. Like I said, I'm skeptically optimistic. I did a bit but searching and I can see why these two were chosen. Of course, like most in the 'vitamin type product community', everything says May / Maybe / Could... No definitive science stating it WILL make the skin more elastic, more hydrated, healthier, anti-inflammatory, etc. etc.. So, It'll probably keep the moniker of 'seems to work ' for quite some time (next 40-50 years?). Lol.

I know folks like Frank Dragonsbeard have a lot of experience with these oils, moisturizer, etc. I'd be curious about his thoughts.

I know other commercial oils have these two ingredients, and many (!) others. I balked at any additions, though. My idea was to (1) go with what was suggested and (2) keep it simple / cheap. If it's cheap, and seems to work at least a little, I won't fight to kick it out of the regimen. If it ends up being expensive, too detailed, or simply didn't do anything good... I'd probably dump it for simplicity's sake.

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So, the jury is still out, but I am really starting to believe that this preshave oil has been doing a lot for my post-shave complexion. Maybe I still don't wield the razor well? Maybe my skin has problems? Maybe I've just been unlucky as of recent? Whatever the reason, I've seen improvement in the past 4 or so shaves, with the oils.

It's a very cheap, very simple 'homemade' recipe. I got the tip from Chris (of Backroads Gold). When I first mixed it up and tested it on my skin I was let down. It  wasn't slick at all... In fact, I'd almost say it hindered 'glide'. I guess that is not the point, though? It seems to provide an extra layer, at least for the first two passes. This seems to keep my skin a little (good amount, actually) less agitated. Also, the oils are supposed to be beneficial for skin health - so they're working some other 'magic', supposedly, in the background. I don't know, but my complexion right after shaving is a fair bit better, even when I used one of my harsher scents (one I've been on the fence about recently). I'm skeptically optimistic, at this point.

The jury is still out, but if I had to make a decision today, I'd say it's a keeper. At the price (about $15 for ~11oz), It won't break the bank either. Anyone who is interested, it is a Fortified castor oil (vitamin E) mixed with Avocado oil. About 70/30 or 60/40 - I went thinner (60/40) on this first mix, fwiw.

Happy Monday folks!

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Up front stuff: I am not a dermatologist nor do I play one on TV. I have no connections to the sources I check, I am simply a surfer!

I think Chris got you onto something good. 

Background: My wife is a devotee of Paula Begoun, specifically the (now online) Beautypedia Skincare resource. I actually learned more about my rosacea on this site than from my dermatologist! Paula cites references, which I checked regarding my condition, as at that time I still had access to my University's medical library. All that to say, I tend to trust this resource, but please do your own checking and don't taking anything on the internet as Divine Intervention!


Per the site's Beautypedia ingredient checker:
Castor Oil
Rating: BEST
Benefits: Hydration
Categories: Emollient, Plant Extracts
Castor Oil Description
Vegetable oil derived from the castor bean whose main fatty acis is ricinoleic acid. It is used in cosmetics as an emollient, though its unique property is that when dry it forms a solid film that can have water-binding properties. Castor oil can also enhance the absorption of other cosmetic ingredients. It is rarely associated with skin sensitivity, but can have a slightly sticky feel on skin. Castor oil may also show up on an ingredient label by its Latin name, Ricinus communis. Despite what you may have heard or read online, there is no substantiated research to prove that castor oil can stimulate hair growth.
(https://www.paulaschoice.com/ingredients...r-oil.html)

Avocado Oil
Rating: BEST
Benefits: Hydration, Anti-Aging
Categories: Emollient, Antioxidant
Avocado Oil Description
Emollient oil similar to other non-fragrant plant oils. It has antioxidant properties and is a good source of skin-replenishing fatty acids.
(https://www.paulaschoice.com/ingredients...o-oil.html)

---

I hope all goes well with you, Paul, as you find something that works its magic! I may experiment myself as when I am experiencing a bad flare, I have to use a soft brush, and a razor with a soft touch, and still deal with irritation. Maybe some extra protection is what I need!

So, the jury is still out, but I am really starting to believe that this preshave oil has been doing a lot for my post-shave complexion. Maybe I still don't wield the razor well? Maybe my skin has problems? Maybe I've just been unlucky as of recent? Whatever the reason, I've seen improvement in the past 4 or so shaves, with the oils.

It's a very cheap, very simple 'homemade' recipe. I got the tip from Chris (of Backroads Gold). When I first mixed it up and tested it on my skin I was let down. It  wasn't slick at all... In fact, I'd almost say it hindered 'glide'. I guess that is not the point, though? It seems to provide an extra layer, at least for the first two passes. This seems to keep my skin a little (good amount, actually) less agitated. Also, the oils are supposed to be beneficial for skin health - so they're working some other 'magic', supposedly, in the background. I don't know, but my complexion right after shaving is a fair bit better, even when I used one of my harsher scents (one I've been on the fence about recently). I'm skeptically optimistic, at this point.

The jury is still out, but if I had to make a decision today, I'd say it's a keeper. At the price (about $15 for ~11oz), It won't break the bank either. Anyone who is interested, it is a Fortified castor oil (vitamin E) mixed with Avocado oil. About 70/30 or 60/40 - I went thinner (60/40) on this first mix, fwiw.

Happy Monday folks!

Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk

Up front stuff: I am not a dermatologist nor do I play one on TV. I have no connections to the sources I check, I am simply a surfer!

I think Chris got you onto something good. 

Background: My wife is a devotee of Paula Begoun, specifically the (now online) Beautypedia Skincare resource. I actually learned more about my rosacea on this site than from my dermatologist! Paula cites references, which I checked regarding my condition, as at that time I still had access to my University's medical library. All that to say, I tend to trust this resource, but please do your own checking and don't taking anything on the internet as Divine Intervention!


Per the site's Beautypedia ingredient checker:
Castor Oil
Rating: BEST
Benefits: Hydration
Categories: Emollient, Plant Extracts
Castor Oil Description
Vegetable oil derived from the castor bean whose main fatty acis is ricinoleic acid. It is used in cosmetics as an emollient, though its unique property is that when dry it forms a solid film that can have water-binding properties. Castor oil can also enhance the absorption of other cosmetic ingredients. It is rarely associated with skin sensitivity, but can have a slightly sticky feel on skin. Castor oil may also show up on an ingredient label by its Latin name, Ricinus communis. Despite what you may have heard or read online, there is no substantiated research to prove that castor oil can stimulate hair growth.
(https://www.paulaschoice.com/ingredients...r-oil.html)

Avocado Oil
Rating: BEST
Benefits: Hydration, Anti-Aging
Categories: Emollient, Antioxidant
Avocado Oil Description
Emollient oil similar to other non-fragrant plant oils. It has antioxidant properties and is a good source of skin-replenishing fatty acids.
(https://www.paulaschoice.com/ingredients...o-oil.html)

---

I hope all goes well with you, Paul, as you find something that works its magic! I may experiment myself as when I am experiencing a bad flare, I have to use a soft brush, and a razor with a soft touch, and still deal with irritation. Maybe some extra protection is what I need!

Thanks Eric, sounds like what I have seen. Supposedly, both oils are also very low in risk of clogging pores. That was my biggest worry to start. So far so good. I'd definitely say it's worth a shot.

Chris's actual recipe is castor oil, avocado oil, and vitamin E oil. Now, vitamin E oil would be a drop unless it's pre-mixed in a carrier oil. So, instead of buying an expensive bottle of it that'll last me 3,000 years, or buying something in an unknown carrier, I just found one of the 'approved' oils that had E added (Castor).

Chris was going to try to find the recipe so I knew how much of each was recommended. He probably forgot. In the end I just decided to wing it. Like I said, so far so good.

Happy Tuesday.

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And when can we expect the review of that shiny new Overlander?

Lol.

The Overlander performs as well as it always has (Wonderful). I can see where folks say it's a little smoother, due to the polished finish. Probably is. However, even with the OG finish, it's a comfy shaving machine.

I do have to say, it looks gorgeous. The lack of tarnish polishing is a win in my book. No need to scrub it down every few shaves. I wipe it on a towel and it's sparkly.

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This evening i got a new knot in the mail... a synbad. I decided I wanted to have a bit of variety. So I pulled the G5C from the Sorrentino (Fire Agate) handle and put in the Synbad. It looks good.

Also swapped out the Boar I had in the Fluffy handle with the G5C. While the Maggards Boars are the best ones I've used, they still don't come close to my Synths for comfort or lather. Wait... Lather?!? Yep. I used it one last time today. A full load on a Synth gives me a solid 4 passes. Even if I'm lazy and don't load well, I get 3 passes worth no problemo. With the Boar, I had to reload after the first pass... The knot had nothing... NOTHING! Craziness.

Now I sit here and ponder: Do you think the soap that disappears from Boar and Badger brushes go to the same place the lost socks go, when they're put into the dryer? Things that make you go Hmmm.

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