I know there are other French soaps, but these are the ones I am currently considering. Comments and suggestions are appreciated.
Institute Karite, Pre de Provence, and Provence Sante; which do you like best?
- Thread starter MrMoJoe
- Start date
Can't go wrong with any of the choices.
I've used Pre de Provence and do like the scent. Smell is subjective, but it smells like a Christmas tree to me. It also comes in its own tin with screw top lid. At over five ounces, that puck will last forever. Contains a good amount of shea butter, but less than the other two brands.
I currently use both the Provence Sante soaps. After almost gagging when I first smelled the Verlaine a couple of years ago, I now find myself sneaking a big whiff of the puck when I pass by the bathroom. I much prefer it to the Green Tea, which seems to be contrary to what I read in posts on B&B. Regardless, both flavors are identical performers and they contain a little more shea butter than the PdP. I like it for the skin care.
Although containing the most shea butter of the three, the Institute Karite also contains some lanolin, which my skin doesn't play well with. It's the one I've never tried, but it certainly has its fans, whom hopefully will chime in.
Both Provence Sante scents can be had for nine or ten dollars--great for tossing in an order where you already have your shipping costs taken care of. These PS pucks are thick but smaller in diameter than most "standard" pucks.
I currently use both the Provence Sante soaps. After almost gagging when I first smelled the Verlaine a couple of years ago, I now find myself sneaking a big whiff of the puck when I pass by the bathroom. I much prefer it to the Green Tea, which seems to be contrary to what I read in posts on B&B. Regardless, both flavors are identical performers and they contain a little more shea butter than the PdP. I like it for the skin care.
Although containing the most shea butter of the three, the Institute Karite also contains some lanolin, which my skin doesn't play well with. It's the one I've never tried, but it certainly has its fans, whom hopefully will chime in.
Both Provence Sante scents can be had for nine or ten dollars--great for tossing in an order where you already have your shipping costs taken care of. These PS pucks are thick but smaller in diameter than most "standard" pucks.
Provence sante - Verlaine
+3 on PSGT family of soaps.
green tea
I've tried Institut Karite and Provence Sante verlaine.
The Provence Sante smelled sweet, and the lather left my face feeling moisturized, but the lather also was not slick enough. The razor would not glide enough for me, and I find that to be dangerous, as it can cause skipping.
Institut Karite doesn't smell as sweet, and despite its name, doesn't seem all that moisturizing, but it is slick and protective. I keep it in my rotation.
The Provence Sante smelled sweet, and the lather left my face feeling moisturized, but the lather also was not slick enough. The razor would not glide enough for me, and I find that to be dangerous, as it can cause skipping.
Institut Karite doesn't smell as sweet, and despite its name, doesn't seem all that moisturizing, but it is slick and protective. I keep it in my rotation.
I vote Martin de Candre.
I kicked the others listed in the poll out of my rotation.
I kicked the others listed in the poll out of my rotation.
Pre de Provence is awesome! Get the aftershave balm as well.
+1 to soap and balm. One caveat - the balm sends me back to grade school (in the 60's) and the smell of pencil shavings.
You shaved in grade school?
Please don't tell anyone, I will have to deny it!
Pencil shavings? I think somewhat piney/rosemary I find it very pleasant, so does the the fiance.
Back to the OP the Pre de Provence is great in the winter b/c of the Shea butter, very moisturizing.
Ahh, the good old smell of lead..
Pre De Provence probably the best soap deal out there. Comes in a tin too. Great leather, glide, and smell!!!
Aaron
Aaron
This is simply a great question from the O.P. All of the subject soaps are excellent and I have them all.
I'll tell you what is bizarre...Institute Karite has an AMAZING scent..thick lather and a great shave - really amazing silky smooth stuff. BUT... Provence Sante Verlaine starts off weak and thickens up beautifully. I have about 70 soaps/creams. Nothing and I mean NOTHING (yes - I'm screaming, but Veraline deserves it) gives me that Hollywood complexion better than Veraline. I can't explain it. There are other soaps and creams that are more comfortable, other soaps and creams that are easier to lather, others that seem to shave closer, but Veraline is right at the top on what a shave is about. A close shave, skin well moisturized, and a fantastic complexion afterwards.
There is something that is differentt about Veraline that does this and I don't know what it is. It has shea butter like the others, in fact, IK has the richest shea content - nonetheless, Veraline does it for me.
Hopefully someone with a chemical background can chime in - I think Veraline has a different pH from the others.
Veraline is AWESOME!!! I'm all about tallow generally, but Veraline makes a liar out of me. If you don't have Veraline - buy some yesterday with no worries. Don't be misled by the shave process with Veraline and trust the great skin you'll see in the mirror afterwards. Simply incredible stuff!!!
I'll tell you what is bizarre...Institute Karite has an AMAZING scent..thick lather and a great shave - really amazing silky smooth stuff. BUT... Provence Sante Verlaine starts off weak and thickens up beautifully. I have about 70 soaps/creams. Nothing and I mean NOTHING (yes - I'm screaming, but Veraline deserves it) gives me that Hollywood complexion better than Veraline. I can't explain it. There are other soaps and creams that are more comfortable, other soaps and creams that are easier to lather, others that seem to shave closer, but Veraline is right at the top on what a shave is about. A close shave, skin well moisturized, and a fantastic complexion afterwards.
There is something that is differentt about Veraline that does this and I don't know what it is. It has shea butter like the others, in fact, IK has the richest shea content - nonetheless, Veraline does it for me.
Hopefully someone with a chemical background can chime in - I think Veraline has a different pH from the others.
Veraline is AWESOME!!! I'm all about tallow generally, but Veraline makes a liar out of me. If you don't have Veraline - buy some yesterday with no worries. Don't be misled by the shave process with Veraline and trust the great skin you'll see in the mirror afterwards. Simply incredible stuff!!!
+1 on the value aspect. The quality of this soap puck and the lather produced is out of this world for the price. And it comes in a decent container?!! I hate that that's somehow amazing for 13 or so bucks -- but it really it.
I can't seem to put a dent in this thing. It may outlive us all!
Last edited:
Provence Sante.
I thought Cade was made in France, correct? Just saying, it gets my write in
