Thayers witch hazel

[Dr Watson]

Okay, so we all know Thayers enjoys popularity across the pond but it hasn't really taken off over here due to costing nearly twice the US price so we often make do with the Care+ brand or if we really want to push the boat out a bottle of Humphreys.

I've stumbled across a website, luckyvitamin.com which stocks the entire Thayers range (medicated currently out of stock, grrr) they are priced at a very competitive £6.83 a bottle and UK shipping is only £2.99... I've also discovered a 10% discount code "FEBRUARY10".

Just ordered a couple of bottles to test (one lavender & one Rose) came to £15.66 delivered for the pair... Seems a pretty good deal? Just thought I'd give you chaps a heads-up.

 

[KAV]

Dickensons seemed, at least to my young nose a lot more pungent when brought out for sunburns. It used to be extremely inexpensive until a sudden price increase doubled the retail. There is another brand found in our 'Dollar Stores'
and Latino retailers. This shipping expense and customs is becoming onerous both sides of the Atlantic. I propose some
scheme of smuggling with signal lanterns and Lorries without running lights and a safe house to unload guarded by grim, but cleanly shaved faced men.

 

[Dr Watson]

Is Dickensons scented? I'm currently working my way through a bottle of Humphreys which is supposedly unscented but the witch hazel itself is quite pungent, in a bad way. I think a light floral or citrus note that lasts only a minute or two after application is a desirable thing, hence paying a slight premium for Thayers (not to mention the additional skin goodies... Aloe, glycerin, rose water & grapefruit seed extract.)

Care+ is our pharmacy/budget option, also found in £1 stores and discount shops, I've tried it but wasn't particularly impressed compared to the imported American stuff... It felt far more alcoholic, like a cheap (or not so cheap, here's looking at you Mr Fine) aftershave with minimal healing properties. If I'd never used any other I'd wonder what all the fuss is about.

 

[R181]

Have you considered alum as a substitute for witch hazel? Does a similar job, is spill proof, has no odor, should be easy to find and inexpensive.

Bob

 

[Dr Watson]

I bought a block when starting out, it gave me terrible irritation... My skin was itchy and dry wherever the alum had touched. It slipped through my fingers one day and smashed on the floor. Good riddance to bad rubbish I said and threw it away

Im sure its great stuff if you're skin isn't sensitive to it, witch hazel on the other had I find really soothing.

 

[R181]

I bought a block when starting out, it gave me terrible irritation... My skin was itchy and dry wherever the alum had touched. It slipped through my fingers one day and smashed on the floor. Good riddance to bad rubbish I said and threw it away

Im sure its great stuff if you're skin isn't sensitive to it, witch hazel on the other had I find really soothing.

Could it be that when you were starting out the irritation was a product of a poor shave indicated by alum reaction? I use it, in part, as an indicator of how well or poorly, as the case may be, I have done my shave. No reaction from the application of alum is a good shave and irritation from the alum a bad shave.

You did not say if you thoroughly rinsed the alum off your face before it had a chance to dry. If it dries on your face it will leave your skin itchy and dry.

Yea, an alum block will slip out of your fingers especially if they are wet.

OTH it could just be, as you say, your skin just does not like it.

Bob

 

[Dr Watson]

I don't like to blow my own trumpet but... Definitely not due to a poor shave

I would apply it to a rinsed face, no stinging... Didn't feel a thing in fact. Leave it on whilst tidying around the sink and then rinse it off, 10 minutes later I would have irritated skin.

The first time I failed to use it I suffered no irritation so I just put 2 and 2 together and haven't suffered since.

 

[R181]

I don't like to blow my own trumpet but... Definitely not due to a poor shave

I would apply it to a rinsed face, no stinging... Didn't feel a thing in fact. Leave it on whilst tidying around the sink and then rinse it off, 10 minutes later I would have irritated skin.

The first time I failed to use it I suffered no irritation so I just put 2 and 2 together and haven't suffered since.

Yea, I guess people have allergies to all kinds of things. First I have heard of an allergy to alum so I was a bit surprise. I have had a reaction to certain soaps but not much else so far touch wood.

Bob

 

[Lord Fatboy]

What is the difference between Theyers and regular witch hazel? I buy mine from Coopers.

 

[Dr Watson]

Yea, I guess people have allergies to all kinds of things. First I have heard of an allergy to alum so I was a bit surprise. I have had a reaction to certain soaps but not much else so far touch wood.

Bob

Ah, I find some deodorants give me a rash as well... Perhaps its an aluminium oxide allergy?

What is the difference between Theyers and regular witch hazel? I buy mine from Coopers.

Its packed full of goodies for your skin (Aloe, glycerin, rose water & grapefruit seed extract) whereas the regular one's are witch hazel and alcohol... Thats it.

 

[R181]

Ah, I find some deodorants give me a rash as well... Perhaps its an aluminium oxide allergy?

Could be as alum can contain aluminum.

Bob

 

[Nishy]

I have the same issue with alum, unless I thoroughly wash my face and I mean a full soak and scrub, it makes my skin itchy and red. Same situation with certain anti-perspirants too. A good alcohol splash is my go to.

 

[Dr Watson]

I think my father has the same issue with deodorants/anti perspirants so it may be hereditary? I also suffer "alcohol flush reaction"... Not that it stops me drinking entirely, I just drink far less than would otherwise. As far as I know it only really affects people of East Asian descent, which I'm not, as far as I know! A cousin on my fathers side also suffers with it so its definitely something genetic...

 

[KAV]

The smell is probably something you need to grow up with like peanut butter. There are two Dickenson's; one with the intitials T.N. The Dickenson family
had some Machiavellian company war and now they are in competition. Both are unscented.

 

[Lord Fatboy]

Ah, I find some deodorants give me a rash as well... Perhaps its an aluminium oxide allergy?



Its packed full of goodies for your skin (Aloe, glycerin, rose water & grapefruit seed extract) whereas the regular one's are witch hazel and alcohol... Thats it.

I have a terrible reaction to alum too. Im on the right track with a similar recipe. Buy my WH from Reids (not Coopers) and it's alcohol free - add it to Noxema with rose water lavender water and glycerine.