Ingredients those with sensitive skin should look for?

I was just wondering if there are any ingredients that really stand out as a "no go" or "be cautious" type warnings if it's included in a soap or cream for those with sensitive skin.  Here and there I'll read that people are receiving irritation from a particular soap, but I'm not sure what's in it that might be the root cause.  For instance, I've read that lanolin and clove can cause irritation in some folks.

I know there's an ingredient in some Almond soaps, not in others, that causes irritation to many... Tread lightly.

Cinnamon, Clove, Bay, and anything else in that family seem to be a common suspect. Basically if it smelled 'spicy', I feel like I got less than a 50/50 chance of clear sailing.

Additionally, stronger scents seem to have an effect, even if it's not a common offender (I'm thinking of what I've read about A&E, in example).

There is others, including non-scent ingredients. We have some really great 'experts' here including Dan DanLaw , Frank Dragonsbeard to name a few. Hopefully they can drop some science here and give you some more information.

Edit: Sorry Eric MaineYooper , completely forgot our resident unscented soap user and pharmacist!

https://dermnetnz.org/topics/methylisoth...e-allergy/

Just an FYI that this chemical is in almost all liquid hand soaps & dish soaps in the USA, especially Dawn. Banned in the UK.

I have rosacea, and a family member with sinus/allergy issues, so I have gone strictly unscented or fragrance-free. However, I would recommend buying samples from artisans or vendors that have them. Unless you know which ingredient causes your face to take issue, you may have to try some soaps and see. Samples are a great way to do that without breaking the bank or finding out that a full tub purchased can't be used.

Also, I would consider, if you did buy a full tub, scoop some out to sample the product. That way, if it is not for you (scent or irritation) you can sell it easier on the BST, telling buyers that you didn't swirl your brush on the soap. That can make a difference to some guys, and might speed a sale if someone knew that the tub was essentially new/unused.

Just some thoughts! Hope you can identify your triggers. Mine included some essential oilsl

There are so many ingredients that people can be allergic to in regards to cosmetic products. If your the type of person who has reactions to an occasional product then my advice is to take the ingredient list and go over it and maybe even take a screen shot of the list. Next go to the FDA Gov list of ingredients high on the Allergic index. Check to see if any of the ingredients on the product you used are on that list. Then if it happens with another product again look at the ingredient list and see if there’s an ingredient that was also on the last product that you had a reaction to. Unfortunately it’s a process of elimination sometimes. As one person pointed out things like Cinnamon and Clove are high on the index but the synthetic is higher than the natural which is usually but not always the case. There are also certain types of alcohols that are also high on the list. So check those out and if the product doesn’t list what type it is then I’d suggest contacting the manufacturer to find out. I’ve had people write to me asking until I switched to Organic Sugarcane alcohol and listed it on the bottles of my Skin Food Splash.

More often than not it’s fragrance that’s the culprit but not always. I’d say start by using unscented products for a while and see how that goes. Also deep cleaning of the skin now and then is a good thing as shave soaps contain butters and oils and my clog the pores depending on the oils and butters used and how often you use them. Detoxifying the skin now and then is also a good idea and can aide in the road to heal the skin.

I could go on and on but like sone have said as far as shave soaps goes I’d try samples only before investing in a full jar and also like I mentioned keep your eyes on the ingredient list to see if there’s one or two ingredients that are in the products that give you a reaction.

To the OP, I’d be glad to send you a sample of my Unscented Clean Shave Soap. Just pm me.

To the OP, I’d be glad to send you a sample of my Unscented Clean Shave Soap. Just pm me.

I can attest that the unscented Clean is an awesome product!

I don't consider my skin to be sensitive, but I've had trouble with a slight burn from some lime-scented soaps, except Col. Conk Lime.

No problem at all with the lanolin ion Mitchell's Wool Fat Soap. It's one of my favourites.

Just for larfs one time I tried using a bar of Pears' transparent glycerin soap to shave with. It was the worst ever. I had to rinse it all off half way through the first pass because it was burning so bad. It has a strange scent, so I figured it was one or more of the scent ingredients that was/were the culprit. Glycerin is fine for me.

I dont have sensitive skin, but prefer shaving product's without any fragrances or essential oils being added or EDTA. After exhaustive research the only soap manufacturers i found who offered a bare minimum of ingredients and without EDTA were

Esbjerg Sensitive
Mike's unscented
Sterling Naked & Smooth, Unscented with Beeswax and Sheep
SV
Wholly Kaw Bare Naked

I can't speak from experience about Wholly Kaw, but the other 4 absolutely live up to their respective reputation for quality of performance.

Wholly Kaw Bare Naked definitely lives up to its reputation

Grooming Dept unscented variants all are outstanding

Oddly enough, ETHOS scented variants, excepting DB, actually work better for me than their Clean

I dont have sensitive skin, but prefer shaving product's without any fragrances or essential oils being added or EDTA.  After exhaustive research the only soap manufacturers i found who offered a bare minimum of ingredients and without EDTA were

Esbjerg Sensitive
Mike's unscented
Sterling Naked & Smooth, Unscented with Beeswax and Sheep
SV
Wholly Kaw Bare Naked

I can't speak from experience about Wholly Kaw, but the other 4 absolutely live up to their respective reputation for quality of performance.

Too add to the list, two other excellent soaps:

Mystic Water Sensitive Skin
Shannon's Nil