Shaving Soap

- Men’s Grooming Guide

In spite of the rapid advancements in technology, getting a brilliant shaving experience still doesn’t seem to become easier. It is true that the latest electric shavers claim to offer the closest shave; however, most men will still agree that nothing offers a smoother shave than a shaving brush, a sharp razor, and a shaving soap.

“A good lather is half the shave”

The traditional shaving soaps came into existence in the early 1800s. These are hard soaps that are used to whip up a rich lather by making use of a shaving brush. Though in recent years, they have been replaced by shaving gels and creams, a shaving soap can still be one of the prime constituents of a classic men’s grooming kit.

Let’s take a detailed look at why traditional shaving soaps can make shaving a more pleasant experience:

Difference between Shaving Cream and Soap

The major difference between shaving cream and shaving soap is the effort and, of course, the time you have to invest for getting a closer shave. It is true that shaving creams are easier to use as they already have a small amount of water added to them.  On the contrary, shaving soaps are concentrated and it takes time to create lather. High-quality shaving soaps provide a luxurious lather for a smoother glide.

Using a traditional shaving soap may not be easy for beginners but it definitely has a wide array of advantages, which are as follows:

Skin-Friendly
When compared to its counterparts (shaving gels and creams), a shaving soap offers a much closer shave with lesser irritation. Canned shaving creams are overloaded with harsh chemicals and artificial lubricants and they may turn out to be harmful for your skin, especially if it's sensitive. Shaving soaps, on the other hand, comprise natural ingredients that are skin-friendly.

Uplifting Fragrance
In addition to the artificial ingredients, shaving gels and creams also include artificial fragrances. Most of them end up smelling like unpleasant, cheap deodorants. Again, this is not the case with shaving bars – they are, in fact, available in fresh and uplifting scents (citrus, spicy, woody, musky etc.) that you will definitely fall in love with.

Offers Necessary Hydration
High-quality shaving soaps contain a high level of fat such as vegetable oil and glycerin. These serve as a humectant, which locks the moisture and hydrates the skin. The fat content is essential as it provides the required lubrication and protection to the skin during the process of shaving.

Provides a Closer Shave
Shaving soaps create the best lather. Once your face is prepared for shaving, you can soak up your shaving brush in sufficient water for softer bristles. You can then use a shaving soap to create the best lather in a cup or bowl. High-quality shaving soaps provide excellent lather, which offers more cushion for a closer shave. 

Using a shaving soap may seem more cumbersome compared to trying an advanced electric shaver, but good things definitely take time and skill. After the first few sessions of shaving with a brush and high-quality soap, you’ll NEVER settle for a plain shave again. Try it!