Allergic Reaction to Sandalwood

I finally threw in the towel on TOBS Sandalwood soap. I love the scent and the performance, but it was making my face burn up. The first couple of times I tried it I thought the reaction was razor burn, but now I know better. I barely withstood 2 passes this last time.

Given that I'm allergic to something in the TOBS sandalwood soap, should I avoid all products with sandalwood? Should I avoid all TOBS products? Or is there not really a trend in cases like this?

 

I would guess that it is the Sandalwood, but it's just a guess.

I can send you a small sample of TOBS Avocado that I have here if you would like to try and see if it is something with TOBS.

 

Well, you need to find out what it is that's messing you up so you know to avoid it. Try one or the other, a different brand of sandalwood or a different TOBS product. Just use it on a smaller spot so you can see without lighting your whole face up.

Just ideas I'm throwing out, there may be better advice on the way Pat.

 

I would appreciate that! I think you have my address, but let me know if you need it again. No hurry.

I was going through my stockpile in my head...I have Mystic Water Mysore Sandalwood and Ogallala Bay Rum Co's Bay Rum & Sandalwood. I'll be trying those soon to see if I get any reaction.

 

You are getting good advice. Test something else with Sandalwood & something else by TOBS. BTW, it is certainly possible to be allergic to sandalwood. I am allergic to it myself.

 

I realize that I am so very late on the ball here, but just for future readers.. I had a massive reaction to Ogallala Bay Rum Co's Bay Rum & Sandalwood, and after tips here on TSD and additional research - I do believe it could be the sandalwood. My reaction was that of a light chemical burn. Super intense.

I have used a Sandalwood balm and a Sandalwood after shave with no reaction though.

 

I would bet that it's sandalwood related and not TOBS cream related. Good advice given already, so I won't repeat that! I will say that all sandalwoods are different. Actual sandalwood is endangered and extremely expensive, so manufacturers all have different formulas and substitutions that they use to create the scent. So the ingredients in two different brands of sandalwood can vary greatly, and you can be allergic to one and not the other.

 

@RaZorBurn123 is Also allergic to it

 

I would second this: it's very possible that sandalwood doesn't work for you, but lots of sandalwood scents are at least partially synthesized because of he cost of sandalwood EO. It also could be the strength of the TOBS Sandalwood. If you're able to get some samples of other Sandalwoods, you'd have a better idea.

 

Yup! Can't do sandalwood..

 

I am amazed how many people have issues with sandalwood.
As I stated above, I had no idea that I have issues.. and have only have had it with one product so far - but that made me remain cautious.

 

You're not late at all. Problems with shaving soap irritation due to scent are ongoing, and are far from rare. I have encountered a burning sensation from two different shaving soaps. Although I am not sure what caused the problem, one of the soaps seemed like it was marinated in scent. The two shaving soaps and one bar of bath soap are the only soaps with which I ever had irritation issues. The only way to tell for sure what is causing the burning, as others have noted, is to try a different soap from the same manufacturer and also try the same scented soap from a different manufacturer. Since different vendors might use different fragrance or essential oils to get the same scent, your reaction could differ depending upon the brand.

One way to minimize irritation issues is to use unscented soaps, and let the aftershave or cologne do the talking.

 

Thank you ShaverX.

So I overreacted, due to my extreme reactions.. so I bought everything unscented. Starting with the white Proraso (which I find an amazing shave soap)... and an sensitive skin Arko Balm. Now in retrospect I can use the balm I already have.. including the one that claims sandalwood. it was the soap that really messed me up. Well, I guess it's a learning process.

 

Sandalwood is my favorite scent. I've only tried AOS and Coates, and I would give the AOS the edge. Anyone else have recommendations?

 

I just had a terrible reaction to Soap Smooth's Bruyere today which is a huge bummer because the scent would have been at the top 5 and the performance was great. i'm just glad It was a sample and I didn't waste $20 on the full tub.

 

TOB's Sandalwood did the same for me as did MW, MB and Lather & Wood which had a fantastic powdery Sandalwood scent, great performer but unfortunately also caused irritation. MW, MB are FO based and not sure of TOBS. I expected the worst with AOS Sandwood Cream and with Tcheon Fung Sing Crazy Sandalwood but zero irritation with these two.

 

Aye some folks are more sensitive than others to fragrances ...My skin can detect synthetic fragrances a mile away....I like to use Organic Shaving products as much as I can.....The Germans make a lot of great Organic Shaving Products....

Be wary of products that are labelled "fragrance free" or "unscented" as these terms may not necessarily mean they do not contain fragrance chemicals, they just imply the product has no perceptible odour..These products more often than not use a synthetic masking fragrance that is used to cover up the odour of other ingredients..
They are called Blockers....

Billy

 

I have an adverse reaction to sandlewood myself. While I love the scent in the soap / cream / bottle, when it hits my skin it turns into a combination of old man and stinky feet scent. Nasty!