Testers wanted

For my second shave I smeared some of the cream onto my face and face lathered.
Using my GEM Push Button coupled with a Treet carbon blade, the result was a great success.

However I've noticed white particles in the cream. Can't remember seeing them when I received it. They are a harder consistency than the stiff cream. They did break down while lathering, as the lather was very creamy.
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Has anyone else seen this?
I'm not in on the test but it could be stearic acid clumping - although it's more usually a problem with soaps. Decades ago I was forced to listen to the Jimmy Young show on Radio 2. The everyday question - 'what's the recipe today Jim'
i.e. here, does the cream have stearic acid and where does it lie in the ingredient list
 
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I have had this happen with a couple of vintage shaving soap's not so much a problem as an occurrence, it breaks down under lathering and is absorbed into the lather, nothing to worry about if indeed it is the same thing.

:)

Paul.
I've never seen it with vintage soaps but certainly have with modern soaps, where it doesn't break down under lathering and I just have to tolerate it. I'll try to post some pics tomorrow without identifying makers.
Anyways, back to creams - which in my naivety I thought you dipped into or squeezed from a tube. Where's here?
 
I've never seen it with vintage soaps but certainly have with modern soaps, where it doesn't break down under lathering and I just have to tolerate it. I'll try to post some pics tomorrow without identifying makers.
Anyways, back to creams - which in my naivety I thought you dipped into or squeezed from a tube. Where's here?
The OSP cream under the temperature that I'm operating at at this time of year ( not cold but not over warm either) is more of a putty like consistency which I scoop out with the tip of spoon and then bowl lather and any granulation? has disappeared after bowl lathering.
It is not so pronounced as it is in one of my current vintage soaps ( one that is no longer in production) but the granulation with this particular soap disappears when lathered. I always scoop onto my bowl and lather and do not lather in my tubs.

Paul.
 
The OSP cream under the temperature that I'm operating at at this time of year ( not cold but not over warm either) is more of a putty like consistency which I scoop out with the tip of spoon and then bowl lather and any granulation? has disappeared after bowl lathering.
It is not so pronounced as it is in one of my current vintage soaps ( one that is no longer in production) but the granulation with this particular soap disappears when lathered. I always scoop onto my bowl and lather and do not lather in my tubs.

Paul.
Just to add opinion while on the topic I recently purchased barrister and Mann reserve cool lots of steric acid granules in it first i scooped from tub and face lathered and found a very bitty shave some of it just wouldn’t break down so went to load from tub on next shave face lathered again and not a problem think a bowl lather would have helped when scooping out of the tub, to be fair though barrister and Mann do advise loading the brush straight from the tub with their soaps
 
Just to add opinion while on the topic I recently purchased barrister and Mann reserve cool lots of steric acid granules in it first i scooped from tub and face lathered and found a very bitty shave some of it just wouldn’t break down so went to load from tub on next shave face lathered again and not a problem think a bowl lather would have helped when scooping out of the tub, to be fair though barrister and Mann do advise loading the brush straight from the tub with their soaps
Interesting! I generally don't face lather so have never come across any problems.
I'm not a chemist so I can not offer any explanation to why bowl lathering should combat this apparent problem.
If indeed this is the issue with the OSP Cream.


Paul.
 
Interesting! I generally don't face lather so have never come across any problems.
I'm not a chemist so I can not offer any explanation to why bowl lathering should combat this apparent problem.
If indeed this is the issue with the OSP Cream.


Paul.
Thanks for you’re reply just thought I’d add it in as it’s not unusual and not the only artisan with this steric acid thing think it just needs more agitation to get it going not found it to be a problem had something similar with B&M diamond at first I thought I’d received an off tub until I read up on it
 
Hi gents,

I do use stearic acid at various stages of production. However, the production of this cream was done in a day whereas it is usually left to steep for 8 weeks.

This will by why the cream is a little stiffer and the stearic acid isn't fully dissolved. As long as it dissappears when lathering, we should be fine.

I am just redoing my whole ground floor at the mo. Once I have got everything to a state where I can concentrate on something else, another test batch of cream will be with you.
Thanks.

James.
 
Hi gents,

I do use stearic acid at various stages of production. However, the production of this cream was done in a day whereas it is usually left to steep for 8 weeks.

This will by why the cream is a little stiffer and the stearic acid isn't fully dissolved. As long as it dissappears when lathering, we should be fine.

I am just redoing my whole ground floor at the mo. Once I have got everything to a state where I can concentrate on something else, another test batch of cream will be with you.
Thanks.

James.
That could give explanation to why I’ve had same thing with B&M it was very fresh looking in the tub with use and drying it seems to disappear and isn’t noticeable in the tub now so sounds like it’s just part of curing
 
That could give explanation to why I’ve had same thing with B&M it was very fresh looking in the tub with use and drying it seems to disappear and isn’t noticeable in the tub now so sounds like it’s just part of curing
Well I'm cautious of giving you that opinion. I can't say what is happening with another companies product.
 
Well I'm cautious of giving you that opinion. I can't say what is happening with another companies product.
No I appreciate that just my own observation that twice I’ve had very fresh soap from them and it’s looked this way but after a few uses is no longer visible so assuming it maybe didn’t have long enough to cure before I received it never been an issue though so wouldn’t put me off buying
 
However, what else can I do to make this cream better?
Include your superb sandalwood scent. For me that is essential.
I do use stearic acid at various stages of production. However, the production of this cream was done in a day whereas it is usually left to steep for 8 weeks.

This will by why the cream is a little stiffer and the stearic acid isn't fully dissolved. As long as it dissappears when lathering, we should be fine.
Thanks for the explanation. Was worried I'd opened up a can of worms.
 
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