Lanolin Not All They're Cracked Up to Be?

[dfoster]

I recently ordered a lanolin-based, kaolin-containing (that's clay, I discovered) shave soap from a small, artisanal boutique, but couldn't get the stuff to lather much. Not willing to throw it out without experimenting some, I pulled out the Big Bertha of brushes, my Chubby 3 in best. Despite pumping, pulling, twirling, and scrubbing the bowl until my arm ached, I couldn't obtain much more than spit from this stuff. Any observations?

 

[mmack66]

Lanolin is just one ingredient added for its moisturizing properties. What were the other ingredients? If Olive Oil is an ingredient, that might hinder the lather process somewhat.

 

[Ignatius]

+1, lanolin is only an ingredient, its not lanolin based.

 

[professorchaos]

I've found soaps and creams with clays in them to be a little difficult to lather. Also, keep in mind that making a good soap isn't like making ice water. If you want to see how you feel about lanolin, get Musgo or Palmolive (shave stick). Both are easy to lather and superb shavers.

 

[Dink]

I've found soaps and creams with clays in them to be a little difficult to lather. Also, keep in mind that making a good soap isn't like making ice water. If you want to see how you feel about lanolin, get Musgo or Palmolive (shave stick). Both are easy to lather and superb shavers.

Palmolive has lanolin? Looking at the box for it I don't see it listed unless it is under a different name. The Wilkinson stick has lanolin.

Cheers,
David

 

[joshmpdx]

I've found soaps and creams with clays in them to be a little difficult to lather. Also, keep in mind that making a good soap isn't like making ice water. If you want to see how you feel about lanolin, get Musgo or Palmolive (shave stick). Both are easy to lather and superb shavers.

 

[michiganlover]

If Olive Oil is an ingredient, that might hinder the lather process somewhat.

From what I have read, a shaving soap with a high proportion of olive oil will not lather properly no matter how hard you try.

 

[*King G*]

when I first used MWF, I had a hard time adjusting to it's lather-ability. The only advice I can offer is to be more conscientious of your water/soap ratios.

 

[FiXXXer]

Small boutique shave soaps are going to be bad more often than they're good. The soapmakers that frequent B&B spend a LOT of time refining their formula and testing it on the forum regulars. The guys on here have much higher standards for our shaving products than the general public, so if the soapmaker doesn't read B&B, they aren't going to be making their soaps to our standards. The lanolin in the soap isn't really the problem, it's that the soaps weren't made to the standards we expect. The fantastic vendors who post here have completely spoiled us for all other artisan soapers.

 

[Shave Cat]

Small boutique shave soaps are going to be bad more often than they're good. The soapmakers that frequent B&B spend a LOT of time refining their formula and testing it on the forum regulars. The guys on here have much higher standards for our shaving products than the general public, so if the soapmaker doesn't read B&B, they aren't going to be making their soaps to our standards. The lanolin in the soap isn't really the problem, it's that the soaps weren't made to the standards we expect. The fantastic vendors who post here have completely spoiled us for all other artisan soapers.

+1 That's often the case. That's not to say there aren't some yet to be discovered gems out there.

-Clarke

 

[mdunn]

ive not found a small soap maker that makes anything that can compete (obviously not including the fantastic soapmakers present on this board)

try mwf if you need a lanolin fix

 

[luvmysuper]

Godrej creams have lanolin and they lather like the dickens.
If you mix lanolin with wall spackle it won't lather, but don't blame the lanolin.

 

[dfoster]

I looked at the packaging again to discover that...yes, olive oil is a key ingredient in this soap. I'm backing away from the artisanal stuff for awhile and plan to stick with products I see more of you guys recommending. Some of us just come to the party a little late; hence, my well-deserved moniker "Wet Shaver Wannabe."

 

[Seraphim]

I'm no fan of clay soaps either. At best they have a muddy feel, at worst scummy....


As said above, don't blame the lanolin

 

[gollum83]

Godrej creams have lanolin and they lather like the dickens.
If you mix lanolin with wall spackle it won't lather, but don't blame the lanolin.

Anyway, they're right you know. It's the soap not the lanolin. The stuff is used for its ability to moisturize and believe me a little of the stuff goes a long, long way. So they never use enough of it in creams or soap to effect how it lathers, or at least to any noticeable extent.

The likely reason it's not lathering is because this artisanal boutique of yours is using some sort of fatty acid that doesn't lather well to make shaving soap, likely olive oil. Now that doesn't mean it's bad soap. Olive oil can make great soap. It just isn't something you would want to shave with as you can't get anything resembling a decent lather from it.

 

[professorchaos]

Palmolive has lanolin? Looking at the box for it I don't see it listed unless it is under a different name. The Wilkinson stick has lanolin.

Cheers,
David

Yes, I believe it does - just in a different language!

 

[soapbuddy]

From what I have read, a shaving soap with a high proportion of olive oil will not lather properly no matter how hard you try.

That's true. I find 100% olive oil soaps slimy with no lather.
The clay is added so it's easier for the razor to glide.

 

[Dink]

Yes, I believe it does - just in a different language!

Here is the ingredients list for the Palmolive stick. Which ingredient is lanolin?

Cheers,
David

 

[Suzuki]

I looked at the packaging again to discover that...yes, olive oil is a key ingredient in this soap. I'm backing away from the artisanal stuff for awhile and plan to stick with products I see more of you guys recommending. Some of us just come to the party a little late; hence, my well-deserved moniker "Wet Shaver Wannabe."

No need to fall on your sword we all try new stuff and there are many wrong turns and bumps in the road to our quest for our personal wetshaving grail.

I do think its a good idea for all newbies to try some of the stuff that gets consistently good reviews from experienced members before branching out to the lesser known soaps - as the quality products provide a good frame of reference.

I'm no fan of clay soaps either. At best they have a muddy feel, at worst scummy....


As said above, don't blame the lanolin

I agree - but again, with the clay proportion is key. A little bit seems to help, but more isn't better.

 

[gollum83]

Here is the ingredients list for the Palmolive stick. Which ingredient is lanolin?

Cheers,
David

There is none. Linalool is an alcohol they add for fragrance proposes. It smells kind of floral and spicy. Same with the Limonene, although it's a terpene and smells like citrus.