Most Protective Soap

[es99]

Pretty new to DE shaving and very much in the acquisition phase. I've tried quite a few products now and I am pretty sure I've settled on soaps. I have a very thick beard and the protection that the soaps I've tried have offered me blows the creams out of the water. Tabac, MWF and Palmolive will always have a place in my den.

Are there others out there that are better? By better, I mean more protective and/or thick/dense? I haven't had great results with Mystic Waters yet... lots of lather, but not very thick/dense. And have some samples of Mike's on the way, but looking for more guidance!

 

[wagstaff]

For me, Mike's (once you dial-in the lather) and Strop Shoppe are tops for protectiveness. There are several that are really close.

 

[jasonb8736]

I have found that RazoRock soaps offer a very slick and protective shave. I'm currently working through a tub of King Louis Lavender. Cella, LA Soap Company and Proraso are also great soaps.

 

[petr]

RR artisan line.

 

[bassopotamus]

Barrister and Mann

 

[aihpcfl]

Definitions are usually important, and no better example than here. Protective? I'm assuming you mean protecting your skin against damage from the blade.

In my experience the "protection" according to this definition is better by how how well the lather provides lubrication between blade and your skin. I've read the word cushion used, but I don't really know what it means. In my mind we want zero friction between the razor and blade and our skin.

I don't know what is best. I used MWF and quit looking.

 

[TacticalPanda]

Can't think of anything more protective than Tabac or MWF. A thick lather from any quality soap should provide plenty of protection.

 

[Big_OC]

B&M are my go to soaps right now.

 

[Mr. Scruffy]

Saint Charles Shave

 

[shavefreak]

Tabac is your best I think the following are more protective or arguably equal to Tabac: Panna Crema, Stroppe shop special edition barbershop with tallow, Aqua di Parma and Martin de Candre.



Also about equal or almost are: (RR) Razorock XX, RRKing of the Castle and RRKarite line. Sterling soaps (they don't lather as fast as Tabac but very good, the Sterling Anise could be even better than Tabac for $5.00!

 

[Ronnie Aloha]

Not sure what "protective" means but after one use of Stirling soap this morning I'd say its the slickest.

 

[jay_gord]

I find I get the closet shaves and the fewest nicks with MdC, Palmolive, Tabac and La Toja (stick). To me protective=irritation and nick free.

 

[shavefreak]

Protective is the quality of the lather in the way in maintains it's hydration properties and moisturizes the skin surrounding the hair. If it is thick and heavy and stays that way without drying out or turning thin you have a good soap. An elite soap is one that can do this even if you have too little water or a little too much water and still holds it together, it's hydration window so to speak.

Slick is the hydration/moisture that clings on the hair and within the hairs even after a pass. Sterling excells at that.

Not sure what "protective" means but after one use of Stirling soap this morning I'd say its the slickest.

 

[Ru4scuba?]

Saint Charles Shave

Nice to see SCS pop up...haven't seen Saint Sue's soap mentioned much since coming back. Just finished off a puck of Aspect a couple of months back.

 

[Senshi]

Out of all my soaps, Tabac and the omega soap (one that came with the boar brush set) give the best glide and leave the most residue (slickness) on my face. I am always really impressed with the shaves that I get from that Omega soap. It looks like it is never going to start winding down in the bowl and always leaves my face super smooth and refreshed afterwards.

 

[Ronnie Aloha]

Thank you for the information. Its clear now.

Protective is the quality of the lather in the way in maintains it's hydration properties and moisturizes the skin surrounding the hair. If it is thick and heavy and stays that way without drying out or turning thin you have a good soap. An elite soap is one that can do this even if you have too little water or a little too much water and still holds it together, it's hydration window so to speak.

Slick is the hydration/moisture that clings on the hair and within the hairs even after a pass. Sterling excells at that.

 

[Edinburgh]

When it comes to protection, several soaps come to mind without being able to narrow it down to just one: MWF, D.R. Harris, Irisch Moos (sadly discontinued), Tabac, Valobra Stick, MdC, Institut Karité, Cella, Barrister & Mann, Mike's Natural. In my opinion, you cannot go wrong with any of these fine soaps.

 

[Infernal2]

I've been narrowing my soaps lately to a few but dedicated product lines due to the sensitivity of my skin (and soon I'm having a sale, so look out) and in my experience many of the ones already mentioned are the best of the best. Granted, I've still yet to try MdC but I'll get there. My sensitive face rates these in order of protection.

1. DR Harris Almond
2. Mike's Coconut
3. Any Truefitt & Hill Cream
4. Cella
5. Tabac

Honorable mentions include Panna Crema, Valobra, Palmolive, MWF, Razorock, and Vdh.

 

[john shea]

Nothing beats MWF for protection in my experience. Tabac, Cella, ProRaso, Mama Bear's Almond come close. There are many untried soaps. I usually uberlather with 6 drops of glycerine and a dollop of Bigelow cream.

To me, slickness means no drag or chatter. Cushion is a thin soap film that allows the blade to pick up hairs but stay off the skin helping to prevent nicks and irritation.

After shaving off the lather, a thin film usually remains. This cushion can be thinned further by applying water for a closer shave, but with an increased risk of nicks or irritation.

 

[es99]

Thanks!

I've noticed few folks have mentioned Mike's and no one has mentioned Mystic Waters. Am I right that, while great soaps, they might not be the most "protective" (as defined throughout this thread)?


SCS and RR are both on my list of soaps to try, but I hadn't heard of Sterling before.