Nivea After Shave Balm - changed for the worse

IceBus · 12 Apr 2009 at 11:40

I don't know if anyone else has noticed this, but I thought I'd give people a heads up in case they're heading out to Boots any time soon...

Recently, Nivea for Men decided to make changes to their Nivea For Men ‘Replenishing’ Post-Shave Balm. The main problem is that as a ‘replenishing’ balm it now contains alcohol – which dries out the skin and leads to the skin over-producing oil. Why this is the case for a product that is supposed to ‘soothe and nourish’ and deliver ‘long lasting moisture’ I do not know.

It also claims to have a ‘New Fragrance’, which smells akin to a 12 year old boy’s idea of a cool aftershave – some sort of nauseating vanilla concoction.

I have been using this product in its various incarnations for close to a decade, and why they have chosen to change both its composition and smell after such a long period I do not know.

I just had one of the most uncomfortable post-shave experiences of my life so I'd recommend avoiding the new version if you value your face's well-being. I'm going to try the 'sensitive' option, which doesn't have alcohol and see if it's any better.

I'm really annoyed that they've suddenly decided to change a product I've been using happily since I started shaving

Crixus00 · 12 Apr 2009 at 11:52

nooooooo

G|mp · 12 Apr 2009 at 11:57

IceBus said:
I just had one of the most uncomfortable post-shave experiences of my life

You should get out more, LoL

IceBus · 12 Apr 2009 at 12:02

G|mp said:
You should get out more, LoL

It was up there with razor burn in a 45* climate in Palestine

Substance · 12 Apr 2009 at 12:27

You should write to them, If enough people do they will change it back

Le_Petit_Lapin · 12 Apr 2009 at 12:35

Alcohol in Post-Shave Balm = FAIL.

If I stick alcohol near my face after a shave a few minutes later my face looks like I've been beaten senseless with a bag of bees.

gumbald · 12 Apr 2009 at 12:42

The smell changed which annoyed me most.

Drukk · 12 Apr 2009 at 12:45

Damn , I actually use that. Not anymore

IceBus · 12 Apr 2009 at 12:48

I've written them an annoyed 'always been a loyal customer' letter... I'll let you know what they say.

I just don't get why they'd suddenly put alcohol in it, it really seems bizarre.

JBuk · 12 Apr 2009 at 12:50

Shave??? real men just sand their face

Feek · 12 Apr 2009 at 13:01

Blokes using girly products is bad enough, but complaining that the recipe has changed! My word. I feel the need to go and use some power tools just through reading this to restore the manliness.

Richdog · 12 Apr 2009 at 13:03

Nitefly · 12 Apr 2009 at 13:09

IceBus said:
I just had one of the most uncomfortable post-shave experiences of my life

You don't have an adventurous girlfriend, do you?

LordSplodge · 12 Apr 2009 at 13:16

Feek said:
Blokes using girly products is bad enough, but complaining that the recipe has changed! My word. I feel the need to go and use some power tools just through reading this to restore the manliness.

Agreed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufG1dPmVo8Q

/me goes off and gets the angle grinder out to restore the balance.

Rroff · 12 Apr 2009 at 13:28

Another thing I've noticed lately... a lot of the "new" lines at boots are just cheaper, watered down versions of the original product, with more expensive ingredients swapped out for alcohol, etc. I guess they are putting the squeeze on their suppliers and this is the result.

DavidQ · 12 Apr 2009 at 13:30

I was never a fan of the Nivea range, I tried it once and it didn't agree with me. Ive been using L'Oreal for quite a while now, not the cheapest but it's pretty good.

Cosimo · 12 Apr 2009 at 13:31

My post shave experience is slap some water on the face and then go to the loo.

Rroff · 12 Apr 2009 at 13:34

I tried some post shave balm but it just left my face feeling sticky and slack. I just slap on some good old alcohol based after shave now.

gumbald · 12 Apr 2009 at 13:38

Rroff said:
Another thing I've noticed lately... a lot of the "new" lines at boots are just cheaper, watered down versions of the original product, with more expensive ingredients swapped out for alcohol, etc. I guess they are putting the squeeze on their suppliers and this is the result.

In the case of the face wash - lesser quantities too!

Django x2 · 12 Apr 2009 at 13:43

I dont buy in to the whole rip off post shave cack.

I just use normal E45 cream and i've never had any problems since I switched to it, plus I have ridiculously gay sensitive skin.