Shaving soaps and creams longevity once opened.

Shemen Zait · Tuesday April 29, 2014

I am aware of the 'official FAO' EU arse covering lark. But from your own real life experience what is the 'real' life of shaving soaps and creams?

I am asking as I just found my old Palmolive stick (partially used) from 2002 in my previous wash bug when tidying up the bathroom cabinet. It is lathering exactly the same as my newly Tesco purchased stick from last month.

I have more soap in my rotation the MWF and some Monsavon, for someone who shave every two days I think I am looking at years of use from the above and just thought at what point should I stop using or if it's worth using for so long after the FAO lawyer said I should stop?

Bechet · Tuesday April 29, 2014

They last until you open one that has not. Never happened to me yet.

Count of Undolpho · Tuesday April 29, 2014

I've had a tube of cream go a little cheesy, turned out to be only the bit in the nozzle though. Not even sure how old it was but I'd had it for a couple of years.

cheesepiece · Tuesday April 29, 2014

I hear Cella has a relatively short-life but I don't know what that means in terms of days, weeks, months or years.
Fortunately, I enjoy my Cella and don't have to worry about it outliving its 'best before date'.

UKRob · Tuesday April 29, 2014

Some soaps can go rancid - the tallow fat ones I assume - although it's never happened to me. You'll know if one does go off from the smell.

ffarouki · Wednesday April 30, 2014

Some people seek and buy vintage soaps or ones often out of production. So I am assuming they're still good to shave with. Obviously not for collection or investment as they're still cheap.

ChillBill · Sunday May 4, 2014

I've often wondered the longevity of creams and soaps myself Shemen. I'm glad to hear soaps can last a long time as I shave just 2-3 times a week and it takes me ages to get through a tub.

beardybrewer · Sunday May 4, 2014

I would imagine the biggest problem would be the stability of the oils composing the scent.

I asked Mike's Natural Soaps and he suggested 1 year. I still have several tins of his soaps that are well over the year mark and they still work and smell great.