La Toja and Pre de Provence 63: why a faster, smoother shave than others?

[Bass301]

La Toja, and Pre de Provence 63:

(a) Do they both have an ingredient, or an extra amount of an ingredient, which makes them soften the beard faster than other soaps?
(b) What other soaps shave as comfortably and quickly as these two soaps, or even better ?

These two soaps seem to soften the beard noticeably faster than the few other soaps I have tried so far. Other soaps have needed the beard to be softened by first showering or laying a warm wet towel on the face, but not all days have time for a proper shave. When not having time, I reach for these soaps to save time while still getting a comfortable close shave. What other soaps could I place in the busy day rotation?

Bass301

 

[Owen Bawn]

Most any soap stick will generate a quick, rich, lubricating lather. Arko, Palmolive, LaToja, Speick, and Wilkinson Sword come to mind immediately, though there are others.

 

[BigJ]

Sir, you have excellent taste!! La Toja and PdP are two very fine soaps IMO.

I don’t think there is any ‘magic’ ingredient, my guess is that the ‘magic’ is in proportions and how the soap is made.

 

[AZBronco]

I've never tried La Toja, but PdP is one of my favorites. I think unicorn dust is the magic ingredient.

 

[SterFry]

Never tried Pdp, but La Toja (at least the stick) is a fine soap, and, more specifically, a very forgiving soap. Wide hydration window, hard water tolerant and forgiving of inexperience.

Impossible not to get a great lather. One of my favorite post shaves, too.

 

[Whilliam]

Water is the only magic ingredient I can think of. Proper hydration brings out the best in any soap. Sometimes, it takes a few tries to get it right, but it is worth the effort.

 

[geneaut]

My guess is they don't ... <BUT> ... for whatever reason your shaving technique, gear, environment, and facial whiskers all react better to those two soaps. So for <you> they just work really really well which is great. For me, I have La Toja and even though I like it it's nothing but a better-than-average shave product when I use it.

That said I bet we all have some product that for us is just mind-blowingly awesome that for other people is just another shave product. Mine may be Trumpers GFT shave cream ... I'm convinced I could shave with a piece of cardboard using that stuff and get a BBS.