(This post was last modified: 01-24-2020, 10:20 AM by DanLaw.)
I have not tried the salicylic acid but definitely will - thank you for the tip.
Of course, can't speak to experience save mine; Grooming Dept and WK DM bases have by far outperformed any others used having tried all the top ones recommended by dfoulk who is as much an expert as somebody outside the industry can be (also less biased as he has no stake in the outcome). The glide and cushion are slightly above the best I have used but the cumulative postshave is by far the best (even then my skin is so bad go through an entire regimen of postshave serum and balm).
Perhaps Grooming Dept and WK soaps are perceived better because of the skin damage suffered over decades of abuse (and hence not of such import for those blessed with average or great skin)? My wet shaving journey was undertaken from necessity, not for fun. Truth told, if blessed with no facial hair, would gladly dispense of all the shaving gear accumulated over the years feeling liberated. Hitherto, prior to arriving at the current routine with current products, shaving meant severe rash, bleeding and breakouts whether fresh carts, boutique sensitive skin soaps, electric razors, barbershop shaves, prescriptions&c. To put it mildly, I hate shaving BUT with the products selected upon extensive and expensive experimentation, it has never been less miserable than now - being honest, the sole remaining misery is the time required, a solid 25 minutes start to finish. Is it possible you were blessed by the Gods and intelligent life choices with skin relatively indifferent to product above a minimum quality threshold? There are a few guys in town that prefer the soaps&c that I use but can shave with Cremo or Barbisol yielding perfect results.