Arko Hydrate Shave Cream Review

[BigD]

This is my review of Arko Hydrate Shave Cream. Products used during the shower and shave were as follows;​

1. Pears Soap with Mint Extract Bath Soap
2. The Body Shop Tea Tree Face Scrub
3. Arko Hydrate Shave Cream
4. Q-Shave scuttle
5. Stirling Soap Finest Badger Shave Brush
6. Rockwell 6S on R6, R5, R4, and R3
7. Derby Premium (4th use)
8. Gentleman Jon’s Alum Block
9. Gillette Storm Aftershave ME Version
10. Gillette Cool Wave Gel Deodorant
11. Body Shop White Musk EdT
    

The following process is what I used for my SOTD with the Arko Hydrate Shave Cream. This is also the same process I use with all my shave creams;​

1. While I brushed my teeth I made sure the scuttle ran under the hot water
2. I filled the water hollow and the lathering bowl portion of scuttle with hot water
3. Rinsed brush with hot water
4. Placed brush in scuttle
5. Took shower
6. Dumped scuttle water from both water hollow and lathering bowl area
7. Refilled water hollow with fresh hot water
8. Took out brush and rung out excess water
9. Squeezed a dollop of Arko Hydrate Shave into scuttle
10. Started working the cream in the bowl
11. Added hot water via finger tips until desired lather is produced
12. Lathered my face
13. Cleaned Glasses with some of the lather
14. Waited a minute for the lather to work its magic
15. Pass I WTG on R6
16. Lather
17. Pass II Lower Jaw to Nose on R5
18. Lather
19. Pass III Chin to Ear on R4
20. Check for pick ups
21. Lathered areas needed
22. Pick ups completed with R4
23. Scrub face with some of the leftover lather
24. Lather underarms
25. Shave underarms R3
26. Rinse Armpits
27. Rinse face
28. Apply alum to Face
29. Apply alum to underarms
30. Rinse Alum Block
31. Clean equipment
32. Rinse off Alum from face
33. Rinse off Alum from underarms
34. Dry off
35. Apply Aftershave
36. Apply Deodorant
37. Apply EdT
    

Now for my thoughts. Just a heads up. Due to my process of bowl lathering unless the soap/cream is just horrible I always get a great lather. It takes longer, but the control of how much water is used really helps dial in the lather just right. Some soaps/creams take longer than others. So it is hard for me to find a soap/cream I dislike.​

1. Time to Lather
   1. Quick compared to hard soaps
   2. More effort needed compared to other creams
   3. Not as thirsty as you would think
2. Quality of Lather
   1. Okay quality
3. Cushion
   1. Okay Cushion
4. Slickness
   1. Whilst lathered
      1. Slick as you would need
         1. Not as slick as other creams
   2. After Pass (Bare Wet Skin)
      1. Do not run a razor over bare wet skin with no lather
         1. Just a bit of slickness when the skin is moistened
      2. Lather again if you need to go over an area
5. Scent
   1. Faint scent of a masculine cologne
   2. Not strong enough
   3. Pairs well with any fragrance you want
6. Rinse
   1. Easily rinsed clean
7. Post Shave
   1. Better than most creams
      1. Not drying
      2. Face feels soft and smooth
      3. I still use post shave treatment
         1. Not really needed unless you have nicks/cuts/weepers
            

As far as performance, it is a little better than adequate. For less than 2 USD it is worth the money. This was bought from a local vendor, which I am sure he purchased for less than a dollar. I am not faulting him. He is in business to make money. Plus AAFES needs their cut as well.

I will not be purchasing more for storage purposes. Even though it is a deal for what it is, I just don’t feel the need. I get a much better performance from Williams, which I have stored, when lathered properly. I have had to purchase this cream in packs of three to five from the local vendor. I have kept one of each Arko Cream I can get a hold of and have PIFed out the rest. The only one I am missing is the Arko Ice Mint. Take care and don’t be afraid to post if you have had a different experience with Arko Hydrate Shave Cream.​

 

[ajkel64]

Thanks for the review, very informative.