Men who want a classic shaving experience while also helping the environment should consider switching to shaving soap rather than a ready-made shaving cream that comes in a can. Traditional methods enhance personal grooming, as they often provide a closer shave and reduce plastic waste.
Beyond being more eco-friendly, shaving soaps can also benefit your skin since they don’t contain the same artificial chemicals that create the lather often found in ready-made shaving creams. If you have been wondering how to choose the best shaving soap to meet your needs, then wonder no more.
What Are Shaving Soaps?
First popular in the early 20th century, shaving soaps are a special kind of soap developed for shaving. They usually come in a bowl with a built-in soap dish. They have been around for decades but have recently seen a resurgence as more men want to return to an old-fashioned shaving experience free from chemicals found in most ready-made shaving creams. The availability of quality razors from companies like Dollar Shave complements this trend.
Shaving soap is made with natural ingredients, most commonly tallow (a type of hard animal fat), water, glycerin, and essential oils to give it its scent. Because they are made from natural ingredients, shaving soaps are often more than just a simple bar of soap—many include moisturizers or other beneficial nutrients for the skin.
What Types of Shaving Soaps Are There?
There are several different types of shaving soaps, and the one you choose will depend on your skin type and what type of shave you want. When choosing the best shaving soaps for your needs, consider the following:
- Hard shaving soaps. The original type of shaving soap is found in most old-fashioned barbershops. Using hard soaps requires a traditional shaving brush to create a lather.
- Soft shaving soaps. Mild shaving soaps are lathered using a brush, just like the hard shaving soaps. The difference is that soft shaving soaps are usually made using a glycerin base rather than tallow to get a richer, creamier lather.
What Type of Shaving Soap Should I Use?
Shaving soaps tend to be made using tallow or glycerin. Tallow-based shaving soaps are usually harsher on the skin and may not provide as much lubrication and moisture for your skin during a shave. On the other hand, glycerin-based shaving soaps have been shown to soften hair follicles, making for a more effortless shave.
If you have sensitive skin, consider using glycerin soaps instead of tallow soaps. Glycerin-based shaving soaps won’t leave your skin feeling dry and itchy after a shave like most hard shaving soaps do.
If you are looking for something that has a scent or moisturizer, consider purchasing a shaving soap that contains:
- Essential oils such as peppermint, rosemary, or eucalyptus allow for a close shave without irritating the skin. Additionally, essential oils are great for keeping the skin moisturized.
- Natural oils such as jojoba oil, hemp seed oil, or sunflower seed oil are great for nourishing the skin and adding moisture after shaving.
- Vitamin-rich oils such as coconut, argan, or wheat germ oils will naturally condition your skin while adding a pleasant scent to your shaving routine.
- Spice extracts such as cinnamon. Cinnamon is a natural antiseptic that can help keep skin moisturized and kill off bacteria.
- Natural fragrances, such as violet, lavender, or sandalwood, are perfectly safe to use on your skin and provide a pleasant post-shave scent.
How Should I Use Shaving Soap?
While using shaving soaps, consider keeping a small cup or bowl of warm water at your side. If you accidentally let the soap dry up, simply re-lather it using warm water and continue with your shave routine.
Lathering shaving soap directly on your face isn’t always the best idea because it can cause problems if the lather dries up before you finish. Instead, try creating a lather on the shaving brush and applying it to your face in circular motions. You can either use your hand or brush to build the lather inside a small bowl or container.
If you want an incredibly creamy and rich lather, rest your shaving brush at the bottom of a cup and let it soak up hot water first. Then, use a circular motion to build the best lather. Additionally, you can put a small amount of water on your shaving soap for a few minutes before working the brush into a lather.
To apply shaving soap to your face, place a small dollop of shaving cream on your wet fingers and massage it into your skin. This will help provide the right moisture for a rich lather that offers excellent lubrication.
How to Use a Safety Razor with Shaving Soap?
A safety razor is named so because it has a single blade protected by a piece of metal. It requires you to change the double-edge blades every few shaves, which reduces waste compared to disposable cartridge razors.
A good-quality safety razor will be durable, easy to hold, and give a soft yet close shave. One of the most important things about using shaving soaps is that you need to keep your safety razor wet throughout the entire shave.
Keeping your safety razor blade wet will ensure that the soap doesn’t dry up and clog your blade. Be sure to use light pressure when shaving with a safety razor.
If you apply too much pressure, you risk cutting yourself and causing nasty nicks that can lead to infection. An excellent way to test the lather’s readiness is by rinsing your face and starting with a light application. Then, if you don’t feel any slickness, reapply lather and try again.
If, At First, You Don’t Succeed, Try Again
Classic wet shaving requires trial and error before finding the most suitable tools and supplies for your skin and hair. If you’re new to using shaving creams or soaps, consider purchasing a few different kinds and brands to see which works best for your skin and hair.
