Thread: Non-Comedogenic shave soap?

Howdy! Due to a skin condition I have, I was told to use only non-comedogenic soaps on my face. I have been using nothing but this kind of soap for washing and shaving for a couple of years now, but I was wondering if anyone knows of a soap that is made for shaving that is also non-comedogenic? So far, the soap I have been using seems to work ok, but it would be nice to have something that is made to lather up real nice as well.

Thanks!

What the heck is non-comedijfhbgnkxo soap?

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

What the heck is non-comedijfhbgnkxo soap?

LOL! That's actually what I said too! Basically, its a soap that has nothing in it that will clog your pores. No fragrance added, etc. I can really feel the difference between it and regular soap too. I guess I could liken it to the difference you feel when you wash with soft vs. hard water. The water I'm used to my whole life is hard water, so when I end up some place where the water is soft, I really hate it. This soap feels like that. Kinda slick. Thankfully, I only have to use it on my face.

With what little I know, I think your best bet would be to get a hold of mama bear or colleen(the gentlemans quarter) they are soap goddesses around here, they can tell you what is in their soaps and maybe handcraft a custom soap for you if they dont have one on hand. But dont hold them to something I said.

Hi there. I’ve got terribly sensitive skin and eczema. I only use real soap. I use quality clear glycerin like pear’s or my own home made soap made of olive oil and sodium/potassium hydroxide or animal fat and sodium/potassium hydroxide (lye).

Most cheap, commercially made soap contains petroleum products which are bad for skin. Not surprisingly most skin conditioners and lubricants are also made with petroleum products. Corporations add petroleum products because they are cheap and good lubricants. What most people don’t know is that these petroleum additives are horrible for skin because they clog pores and don’t allow the skin to breathe. Notice, the same petroleum products they use in soaps and creams is the same stuff used as lubricants and sealants on machine parts.

A few years back I switched to using only pure soap for bathing and high grade extra virgin olive oil as a lubricant/moisturizer. My skin is in much better condition now than in the past 15 years of my life.

I haven’t used momma bear’s products, but I think she has some good stuff. I have tried a lot of different soaps and prefer Vander Hagen’s deluxe shave soap which is dirt cheap and available online and at most major drug stores. If you like a thick, creamy lather, this soap probably isn't for you, but if you prefer a thin lather, this stuff is cheap and works well.

Also, along with getting rid of the petroleum soaps/creams, using a straight razor has made my skin virtually eczema free. Some one should really tell dermatologists about straight razors.... Good luck-

Thanks for the responses! I will check with Mama Bear and see what is available.

Morganholda, do you have a brand of pure soap you can recommend? I just looked at the ingredients in the soap I use (Cetaphil) and see some petrol-based stuff in there. I too have eczema, so I know what you mean about sensitive skin.

Thanks again!

I know that tallow based soaps are comedogenic. I avoid using tallow based soaps on my nose and don't get them on my forehead. Tallow based soaps don't clog pores on my face and neck.

I was under the impression that glycerin based soaps are non-comedogenic. Am I wrong on that?

Chris L

If made by a professional, or by a company that gives a damn, clear glycerin soap is petrol free. Pear’s is an excellent example and the only commercially made glycerin soap I will use. For face and body. Retails at about $2.50 to $3 and is awesome. I’m lucky enough to have several dollar stores in my area where I can usually buy a bunch for a $1 a bar.


I also get good results from Van Der Hagen Deluxe Shave Soap.


On the other hand, a lot of cheap glycerin soap you find in the store usually has additives along with a petrol based binder. Buyer beware because there are many commercially available “pure glycerin” soaps that are anything but. For some reason the fda does not require full disclosure of ingredients in all soap products.

There are a few awesome exceptions, but good soap usually isn’t cheap. Pure glycerin soap usually costs even more, because it is more expensive and more labor intensive to make. Commercially made glycerin soaps are cheaper than hand made ones because of the batching process.

Also, “tallow” which commercially means “rendered animal fat” isn’t bad for skin so long as the finished product is free of petrol and synthetic additives/binders. When you render fat into tallow (see Fight Club) you get a combination of good clean fat and glycerin. Most corporations separate the glycerin at this point and remix a smaller amount during the batch process. Real soap makers leave all the glycerin in. Some of the best soap I’ve ever made or used came from beef fat(home made soap) and pig fat (found at hardware store). I usually only use olive oil for my fat when I make soap now.

For those who don’t know, real soap has very few ingredients. Besides perfume or natural moisturizers, soap is essentially lye, water and fat.

Neither of the two soaps pictured above use petrol or synthetics (another term for petrol). Also, for the herbivores amongst us, these are both plant based soaps that do not contain animal derived ingredients.

I'll second make it yourself - I only wash in homemade soap. As for shaving soap - I haven't managed a good recipe for shaving - always had a few issues with disappearing lather. Your best bet would be to ask colleen I think.