Review (3/5): Half of it is Great Stuff
I just started using this stuff & it's great. I used a popular (and overpriced) body wash (with which I have an AXE to grind) that did not get along with my groin area. After enduring several days of itching, I decided to shave to see what was going on down there. Well, I had a rash. After shaving, I added shaver burn and ingrown hair. Great. But, I decided I liked the feel of being hairless and continued to shave. So, I ordered this combo pack. Per the instructions, I applied a test amount of the exfoliant. After 10 minutes, I removed it. The area where it was applied was absolutely smooth, whereas stubble could be felt elsewhere. No rash, no burning, no funny smell. About 8:00PM, I applied the balm over the entire shaved area. It was not sticky and dried quickly. My only -- and minor --- complaint is that it is a bit liquidy, so it tends to leak out of the tube quickly. As soon as I put it on, the area felt much better. Once it "dried" - it doesn't really get dry, but isn't wet, either --- I could not really feel it being there and no residue got on my sheets. The next morning, when I got up, I discovered my rash was almost entirely gone! What a pleasant surprise! As a bonus, I applied it to an itchy scratch on my ankle and it immediately stopped itching. Well, having experienced no negative skin reaction to the test area, I plan to use the exfoliant over the whole area tonight. I'll update this review after I see the results.
UPDATE: So I used the exfoliant in earnest and the news isn't entirely good. First, shortly after applying it, it began to burn. Not horribly, but more than just a little. My skin is about of average sensitivity. So, I don't hold this against the product. Skin burn from exfoliants is a common thing among a good portion of the population. It's just part of the deal. Anyway, following the instructions, after 10 minutes (the minimum), I went into the shower and used the glove. Then I thoroughly washed the area off, with a hand held shower head. The stuff worked great specifically on my balls. They were completely smooth and were not at all irritated. The rest of my pubic area, however, was an entirely different matter. On the upper area, it did no better than my electric shaver (not a pubic hair shaver). Worse, by the time I got out of the shower, my whole pubic area, except for my balls, was burning. Where skin meets skin where my groin area and legs meet, it was very painful and extremely red. I put the balm on, which began to cool things down immediately (although it stung when first put on. By the next morning, the area was significantly healed. So, the balm is great stuff. Okay, it is possible I put too much exfoliant on. It is possible I scrubbed too hard. It's even possible --- although very unlikely --- I didn't get all of it off. So, my downgrade from 5 stars isn't because of the burning; it's because of the so-so results on other than the balls. And this: According to the instructions, one is not to use soap, body washes, etc., when exfoliating in the shower. So, unless you are able to seal off your pubic area, you can't actually shower while doing this. So, it has now become a major inconvenience for daily use. Since it worked very well on my balls, I may occasionally use it there. But, generally, it's back to my regular shaver and Body Bare shaver (both of which will nick).