I keep reading about shavers who refuse to use any shaving cream containing silicone which is listed under "dimethicone" on the package. The reason: They fear the silicone might seal the brush hair because silicone is not water-soluble. I personally have been using silicone-creams with my brushes and couldn't detect any adverse effects. One could almost argue that silicone turns a badger brush into a synthie because a synthie brush is naturally water-repellent like a silicone-sealed badger brush. But is this actually true that silicone ruins a badger or boar brush? Or does the lather wash the silicone out when the brush is rinsed?
There's some gullible people out there. Badger brushes trap water between the bristles. The bristles themselves are impermeable to water, so coating them in silicone will have no effect. Boar brushes do soak up water, but since you soak the brush before loading it with shaving cream or soap, the silicone in the lather will have no effect on the bristles, and will be rinsed out anyways after use. If there was somehow a buildup of silicone (and presumably soap scum), by the time it would start to become a problem, it would be time to clean the brush anyways. Edit: After reading up on dimethicone, there's valid reasons to avoid it in shave creams, but not because it will cause any harm to your shave brush (it won't). From http://www.drfranklipman.com/the-truth-behind-the-common-cosmetics-ingredient-dimethicone/ The FDA has approved the use of dimethicone as a skin protectant ingredient in over-the-counter products, and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) panel has assessed it as safe to use in personal care products. Some studies have found it to soothe and help improve chronic hand dermatitis, and to help reduce inflammation and irritation. The Skin Deep Database also lists it has have a low hazard risk. For me, though, this is not a good ingredient to be using in your daily skin care. Like petroleum products, silicone oils can actually make dry skin worse over time. Instead of sinking into your skin and nourishing it from the inside out, like healthy ingredients do, it forms a sort of plastic-like barrier on the outside of skin. Why Dimethicone is Bad for Your Skin That artificial coating on the outside of skin causes several issues: It traps everything under it—including bacteria, sebum, and impurities—which could lead to increased breakouts and blackheads The coating action actually prevents the skin from performing its normal activities—like sweating, temperature regulating, sloughing off dead skin cells, etc. Prolonged exposure to dimethicone can actually increase skin irritation, due to the coating property and because dimethicone is listed as a possible skin and eye irritant Those with sensitive or reactive skin are at risk of an allergic reaction to dimethicone On top of all this, dimethicone is a non-biodegradable chemical—bad for the environment
I've been using pomade for years and have had no rashes or pimples even though I am prone to acne. I think there is a lot of vilification going on because of "evil petrol". Vegetable oils have a better reputation but unlike vaseline they can cause allergies and they require preservatives. Petroleum/ vaseline though is hypoallergenic and requires no preservatives. I would say YMMV. If it gives you a bad skin, chuck it. But thanks for the lowdown on silicon.
Although I can see why someone would be concerned, my biggest concern with my brushes are my cat getting ahold of them and chewing them up.
This reminds me of the Mitchell's Wool Fat review someone did. http://www.amansguidetoskincare.com/mitchells-wool-fat-shaving-soa-260/ Reading it, you would think it was made of liquid poison. It's not my favorite soap, but it's close, and there is no other soap that makes my skin feel softer or more healthy after use. I'm not alone in this, either.
Its definitely softer than badger, boar, and synthetic. But has absolutely no back bone what so ever =P i dont think it Will Work at all haha
I look at this as I did the "paraben" concern a number of years ago which caused most, if not all, soap makers to reformulate their soaps to "paraben free". Here is a link on parabens - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraben. I never gave much stock in this and/or the silicone thingy. I simple enjoy the soaps.
Neither do I. When you have to go, you have to go. Fate doesn't care about odds and likelihoods. Non-smokers die of cancer and car accidents every day.
Yep. A gentleman in Greece that I did business with a few years ago quit smoking and started vaping- didn't want to die from smoking. Even started his own vape shop. He was killed when an automobile ran into his motorcycle when he was on his way to work. I've always wondered if he would have kept smoking if he'd known he would die in a few years. You just never know when your number will be called in the lottery of life.
