Shave Soap - To wash or not to wash...

[christopherh]

I'm sure this has been discussed millions of times before, but I can't seem to find the answer...

I normally use creams, but am interested in trying Mitchell's Wool Fat soap. My preshave routine involves me washing my face with a face soap.

My question is - would I still need to wash my face before shaving or does the shave soap do that? Or is a face soap not really a soap?

 

[Jwolf24601]

I think you should wash your face before you shave, you could use the MWF to wash your face if you like.

You should wash your face before shaving though to soften the beard and open the pores up. Rinse then apply the lather for shaving, so you are not dragging the oils and grime into your face with a razor.

 

[taffy]

Yep a must to wash your face first!

 

[techdog]

I just rinse my face with warm/hot water for 30 seconds. That's only if I don't take a shower before shaving.

 

[Noebie]

or if you do kyle's prep, the first lather is from your cream or soap - then the hot towels more or less take it off, but you don't really rinse or wash

he believes that the sebum actually helps lubricate for the shave

at least i think i have that right

 

[christopherh]

Thanks guys. I guess my concern is that I may end up overwashing my face. Does a shave soap 're-wash' your face?

 

[Monkeydad]

I actually shower, then shave with shaving soap...then wash my face.

 

[TinFish]

+1 on shaving after your shower. All you have to do is keep your face thoroughly wet during your shave. After 3 plus passes, my face feels pretty clean, so I just do my final rinse and splash on a.s. or balm of choice.

 

[82R100]

I tried using shampoo on my beard in the shower as part of the prep and it seemed to lead to more irritation so I went to using soap on a facecloth (once again, in the shower) to wash, with the intent of accelerating the whisker softening. It seemed to work o.k., but the last couple of times I've left that out (haven't washed the face at all, just applied hair conditioner, as usual) and things seem to be as good or better than when I was washing.

- Chris

 

[blade08]

Washing your face with a facial soap, hand soap or regular body soap is essential. It cleans your face and most important, the soap softens your stubble. Just a warm water cleanse won't do IMO.