What do we really need out of a soap/cream?

[musicman1951]

Interesting question!

Performance is the key for me. However, I break that down into several aspects:
1. Ease and quality of lather
2. Slickness
3. Cushion
4. Ease of clean up

Scent, post-shave feel, skin conditioning, etc are of secondary importance for me.

That looks like a good list for me as well. Slickness tends to be a non-issue for me as I only use soaps that have been highly recommended here and so far none of them are lacking in slickness.

I have tendonitis in my elbow, so ease of lather is more of an issue for me than many.

Cushion could be called protection on my list. Weepers have all but disappeared since I changed to top tier soaps. And yes, I believe there are shavers who use $2 soap and don't get weepers - but they don't shave my face.

I use unscented MdC as I'd rather enjoy my scent from cologne and I am afraid of having an unpleasant scent in a soap that lasts me 375 shaves.

I finish every shave with Thayer's WH followed by moisturizer, so post shave feel is secondary there as well.

 

[Raven Koenes]

1. Scent
2. Slickness, including residual slickness
3. Protection

I don't get the "post-shave feel" argument. It only makes sense If you are not using an aftershave.

Yup, that's what post shave products are for.

 

[Raven Koenes]

I like nice high end soaps. I also like VDH. My tastes range from MdC to Arko. Recently I've been doing one pass wtg Gillette slide shaves like our grandfathers did. I pull remaining lather over for a couple of touch ups and done. I'm getting dfs results every time. One thing I've noticed is that with a one pass wtg shave any soap or blade will do. This is due to less contact with the skin.

 

[George Kelley]

Williams has the slickness I need for shaving. There is cushion when I face lather.

Scent? That is what the cologne is for.
Post shave feel? That is what the moisturizer is for.

 

[OkieStubble]

I have gone from 15 soaps over the years to finally Minimalizing down to two soaps and a cream. Haslinger Schafmilch in Winter, La Toja in Spring/Fall and C.O Bigelow cream also known as (Proraso) in Summer.

I get adequate performance for the shave from these brands and am more interested in post shave scents over during the shave scents.

 

[ScottChapin]

I have gone from 15 soaps over the years to finally Minimalizing down to two soaps and a cream. Haslinger Schafmilch in Winter, La Toja in Spring/Fall and C.O Bigelow cream also known as (Proraso) in Summer.

I get adequate performance for the shave from these brands and am more interested in post shave scents over during the shave scents.

I agree, except in the rare case I get a scent that matches the soap. That gets too crazy thought.

I have Castle Forbes lime cream and balm, but it all falls apart without a cologne or such.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[mr_houston]

The OP’s reference to minimalism got me thinking about actual need.

1. Lubrication - glide, slickness, reduce friction
2. Protection - maybe cushion fits here
3. Visual marker - to know where I have already shaved.

Easy and quick to build a stable lather is high on my criteria for choosing a soap, but might be a want.

That’s a pretty low bar.

 

[kingfisher]

I used to think I had to have a lather that had a certain appearance/consistency in order to get a good shave. No visible bubbles, dense, unctuous, shiny, like Greek yogurt. That sort of lather certainly has a huge amount of visual appeal, and generally speaking, I do get good shaves with lather that looks like that.

I have learned recently, however, that I can get a good shave even when a lather doesn't meet those outward appearance standards; that I can get a good shave from a lather that is thinner than I normally prefer, or not as dense, or has visible bubbles, etc.

This has led me to believe that a lot of what we think we need from shave lather is really in our heads. In other words, we expect a good shave from a lather that looks amazing, so we then get a good shave, and it reinforces the belief.

But since I can also get a good shave from a thinner, weaker-looking lather that has visible bubbles and is not dense, I think what I really need from a lather is just a thin barrier of suds for the blade to glide upon as it cuts. For the last four months I have only used open-blade razors, so the lather is truly "where the rubber meets the road;" in other words, there is nothing between the blade and my skin except the lather. Even in that situation, the lather doesn't have to LOOK perfect in order to perform perfectly.

 

[johnwick]

I need slickness. And more slickness!

 

[Atlantic59]

I used to think I had to have a lather that had a certain appearance/consistency in order to get a good shave. No visible bubbles, dense, unctuous, shiny, like Greek yogurt. That sort of lather certainly has a huge amount of visual appeal, and generally speaking, I do get good shaves with lather that looks like that...

Many people have been trained by YouTube, SOTD posts, etc. to go after that "lather porn" look. You are right though, what matters is slickness and water retention for the duration of the shave. A thinner lather is OK if it does the job..

 

[Timeclo]

Recently, I've been going after SLICKNESS and COMFORT. If the soap is slick and comfortable on the skin without drying it out and giving me a headache with the scent, it'll work. I used to put the volume of the lather towards the top factor but I realize that it's not as important. Of course, it'll be nice to have a voluminous lather but I can still shave with thinner lather as well.

For example, couple products I tried fit into this slick, thinner lather that is comfortable. Captain's choice venture and Cremo was great to work with. Soaps like Stirling and Soapy Science gives a voluminous lather while providing slickness and comfort so those are just extra goodies.

 

[TWA]

Ok, you know I have to ask, what soap was it you brought with you?

It is a soap called Schapenmelk. Can't remember who made it but it's got tallow, lanolin and sheep milk in it.

 

[RigelDust]

It is a soap called Schapenmelk. Can't remember who made it but it's got tallow, lanolin and sheep milk in it.

It may be inexpensive but it’s a great soap by a great company.

Schapenmelk Shaving Soap - Cold River Soap Works

Shaving soap and moisturizing aftershave designed for the ultimate shaving experience.

www.coldriversoapworks.com