Cushion. In another thread it was asked: What is cushion? In my opinion, and since I consider this reality (mine anyway), it deserves a serious discussion.
So, what is cushion? Here it is:
When shaving, I like to think of it as added layer of protection, during mechanical removal of facial hair.
Before I continue, I have to say that everything below is either my (uneducated) opinion or the result of paid labor that others, much smarter than myself, conducted as sponsored (P&G and others). I say uneducated as I only studied friction and tribology in high school and the first two years of university.
So, feel free to add your own opinion here.
From the early days of my shaving experience I noticed I fared much better when using soaps with tallow and/or lanolin. There was a brief period when I experimented with oils, face creams and liquid lanolin as a pre-shave treatment. That is all history now, as I found my way and no longer need "crutches", but need be, I would be happy to use any of them again.
Well... it starts with lubrication, as a pre-shave treatment and requirement for a great shave. Mine anyway, since your definition of a great shave might differ.
Please allow me to use two common lubricants as examples: oil and grease. Both slick, no doubt about it. But what does grease bring over an oil? Grease brings a higher level of viscosity and added affinity.
To me, and to my technique I use while shaving, these two parameters are added benefits of a good lather. Paramount for a great shave.
Tallow and lanolin. Both leave a film on skin. How do I know? Well... I see it. Glistening, after I rinse my face. This film is there, I can feel it, even during the shave, between strokes. The better it clings on skin, the more residual slickness, the less impact on skin after the first stroke. Allowing me a second, and sometimes a third, stroke in rapid succession over the same area.
I say rapid but that would need further explanation as speed of the advancing blade is also important.
I have no doubts that certain ingredients in soaps and creams leave a film that clings on the skin, some thicker than others. Tallow and lanolin, I bet on them.
That film will impact my shaves in a positive way, as it will add a bit of viscosity, affinity and distance.
I use a neutral blade exposure razor for my daily shaves. Razors with a positive exposure work well, but not as every day razors and not for extended periods of time. I seek no absolute BBS, but DFS, as some would say. I achieve partial BBS, every day, with no effort, in two passes with fewer strokes.
I am Caucasian, with a wiry/coarse stubble, and fairly sensitive skin.
That being said, here are some studies for those interested in reading.
The study I find impressive comes from the University of Southampton and can be found here https://eprints.soton.ac.uk/394280/1/Leyva-Mendivil_Thesis_full%20version.pdf
From the same year, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/ics.12330
Then, Google might be your friend, as one can find testimonies of soap makers that confirm the "cushion" (if that makes you happy) is not a myth but reality.
Choose your pill wisely.
Good luck.
So, what is cushion? Here it is:
Some use it for a clownery, some under their bum.
When shaving, I like to think of it as added layer of protection, during mechanical removal of facial hair.
Before I continue, I have to say that everything below is either my (uneducated) opinion or the result of paid labor that others, much smarter than myself, conducted as sponsored (P&G and others). I say uneducated as I only studied friction and tribology in high school and the first two years of university.
So, feel free to add your own opinion here.
From the early days of my shaving experience I noticed I fared much better when using soaps with tallow and/or lanolin. There was a brief period when I experimented with oils, face creams and liquid lanolin as a pre-shave treatment. That is all history now, as I found my way and no longer need "crutches", but need be, I would be happy to use any of them again.
Well... it starts with lubrication, as a pre-shave treatment and requirement for a great shave. Mine anyway, since your definition of a great shave might differ.
Please allow me to use two common lubricants as examples: oil and grease. Both slick, no doubt about it. But what does grease bring over an oil? Grease brings a higher level of viscosity and added affinity.
To me, and to my technique I use while shaving, these two parameters are added benefits of a good lather. Paramount for a great shave.
Tallow and lanolin. Both leave a film on skin. How do I know? Well... I see it. Glistening, after I rinse my face. This film is there, I can feel it, even during the shave, between strokes. The better it clings on skin, the more residual slickness, the less impact on skin after the first stroke. Allowing me a second, and sometimes a third, stroke in rapid succession over the same area.
I say rapid but that would need further explanation as speed of the advancing blade is also important.
I have no doubts that certain ingredients in soaps and creams leave a film that clings on the skin, some thicker than others. Tallow and lanolin, I bet on them.
That film will impact my shaves in a positive way, as it will add a bit of viscosity, affinity and distance.
I use a neutral blade exposure razor for my daily shaves. Razors with a positive exposure work well, but not as every day razors and not for extended periods of time. I seek no absolute BBS, but DFS, as some would say. I achieve partial BBS, every day, with no effort, in two passes with fewer strokes.
I am Caucasian, with a wiry/coarse stubble, and fairly sensitive skin.
That being said, here are some studies for those interested in reading.
The study I find impressive comes from the University of Southampton and can be found here https://eprints.soton.ac.uk/394280/1/Leyva-Mendivil_Thesis_full%20version.pdf
From the same year, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/ics.12330
Then, Google might be your friend, as one can find testimonies of soap makers that confirm the "cushion" (if that makes you happy) is not a myth but reality.
Choose your pill wisely.
Good luck.
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While I will never personally be convinced that "cushion" (excess density as far as I'm concerned) is anything other than an obstacle to a fantastic shave, we all have to discover our own unique path to shaving bliss, and need to accept that our experiences and preferences may vary wildly from those around us 
