Are Soaps More Drying Than Creams?

[Nick Danger]

I used nothing but creams for my first six or seven months of DE shaving. I've been trying soaps for about two weeks now. At first, I found them more drying to my skin than creams but it was also very dry here in Chicago because of the extreme cold. The soaps have seemed a bit better over the last few days as my lathering skills have improved and I've increased the humidity in my apartment. I'm still trying to figure out if the soaps are actually more drying to my skin or not.

Do others find soaps more drying to the skin than creams?

Nick

 

[Foyle]

I don't think it's a soap versus cream issue. Some soaps are more drying than others, and some creams are more drying than others. Remember, creams are just soaps in a different form.

 

[Absolute Mustard]

I don't think it's a soap versus cream issue. Some soaps are more drying than others, and some creams are more drying than others. Remember, creams are just soaps in a different form.

Pretty much

MWF and Tabac keep my face very moisturized in the winter.

 

[SIG9]

Yeah, I think it's a case by case basis. MWF is very moisturizing. I'm sure others are less so.

 

[TGilly]

I don't think it's a soap versus cream issue. Some soaps are more drying than others, and some creams are more drying than others. Remember, creams are just soaps in a different form.

+1 I think it depends on the brand or soap itself. For the cold and dry weather, I'd say get a nice aftershave balm over a splash.

 

[celestino]

The two soaps that i use are extremely moisturizing! It would really depend on the soap.
If you are still finding your skin dry, you may want to try some unrefined shea butter. Good luck.

 

[mblakele]

For me, dry skin usually comes from a dry-ish lather. Creams have more water in them to start with, of course. But as long as I am careful to work in plenty of water and get a nice sheen on the lather, my skin will be happy.

 

[LouBarraza]

I use VDH Deluxe which by itself dries my face .But now I add a few drops of glycerin to the lather and it works great now.The glycerine also helps the razor glide much better.

 

[Soldierdan]

I haven't really experienced the drying from soaps, then again my lather is generally pretty wet.

 

[Burnside]

I always thought the real cause of dry skin is warm/hot water and chlorine. JMO

 

[OldSaw]

Are Soaps More Drying Than Creams?

No.

 

[Nick Danger]

For me, dry skin usually comes from a dry-ish lather.

That would appear to be the problem I was having with soaps. Now that I'm getting better lather, with the right amount of product AND water, my face has felt a lot less dry using soaps.

Nick

 

[Mad Man]

Just my 2 cents - IME it's less the lather than a combination of prep, the product, the blade and technique as well as your post-shave care routine (AS/balm). It's a sum of the parts. The OP has used soaps for 2 weeks versus 7 months with creams; might not have the product dialed in either...

 

[Nick Danger]

Just my 2 cents - IME it's less the lather than a combination of prep, the product, the blade and technique as well as your post-shave care routine (AS/balm). It's a sum of the parts. The OP has used soaps for 2 weeks versus 7 months with creams; might not have the product dialed in either...

No maybe about it - I DEFINITELY didn't have the product dialed in yet. Only in the past few days have I felt like I was starting to get good lather with soaps.

When I had the problem with soaps drying my skin, I actually noticed it really quickly - usually during my first pass. I would see my skin drying out and it felt really tight and unpleasant. Sure, I could add a balm or moisturizer when I was finished, but I knew I was doing something wrong.

Nick

 

[Mad Man]

Hey Nick - good for you that you've diagnosed one possible cause. It's almost a cliche but loading heavier and adding more water really does help with lather - and agitation: don't forget to get stuck in when mixing.

Enjoy your shaves mate!

 

[swcarter]

Don't disagree with the other comments so far. However, during the winter I tend towards the soaps/croaps that contain lanolin. They tend to moisturize better when its dry.

 

[Throwaway]

The typical canned stuff really dried my skin. This was one the reasons that led me to find traditional wet shaving, as I was searching for better alternatives. Using TOBS almond shaving cream helped noticeably. However when I ordered Special Edition soap from Strop Shoppe it completely solved my dry skin issue. It has these ingredients: Stearic Acid, Tallow, Glycerin, Coconut Oil, Cocoa Butter and Shea Butter. I mean I still moisturize after I have done shaving, but I think it is nice that my skin doesn't get dry during the shave.