Soaps vs. Creams

[brandron]

Greetings to all from a relative newbie who seems to be catching the contagious bug that's been floating around TSD (and I don't mean a computer virus).

Love reading the posts, and have already treated myself to an SR3824 and Kent BK4 (just arrived yesterday - 20% discount worked beautifully, thank you!). I've been using CE Sweet Almond Oil Cream (tube) and Taylor Avocado Cream (tube), and am considering trying some soaps.

I apologize if this has already been covered in a previous thread, but I would love to hear the opinions of my fellow shavers on the pluses and minuses of soaps vs. creams, and why you select one over the other (especially since many come in the same scents).

[mastermute]

Welcome!
(Well, you've been a member longer than I have, but it's your first post!)

[Mottern Man]

Cream = Protection

Soap = Slick

I get better shaves from soaps but If I need a gentle shave I reach for cream.

Welcome Aboard! :cool:

[Razorburne]

Cream = Protection

Soap = Slick:cool:


I tend to use more creams than soaps...but if you want the best of both worlds, go for a superlather!!!

Superlather = charging your brush with soap 1st, then combining with your choice of cream (add water as necessary).

[Scorpio]

This is one of those YMMV subjects. Some folks like to use both, some prefer one over the other. When I started I was all about creams, as I progressed and eventually moved to shaving with straights I moved to using soaps. You can get cushion and protection equally from both. I still use creams every now and then. I do get a nice slick and cushioned lather from soaps which is what I want when I shave with a straight. On the other hand you can get the same from the lather of creams. I guess the best answer is that you may have to try both to see which you prefer. Nothing wrong with that.

I will mention that if you use soaps a brush with stiffer bristles will get better results than a softer floppier brush that is design for creams.

Welcome to the Den.

Raf

[brandron]

Thanks for the feedback. Think I will make the plunge and do some experimenting with both. Still using M3/Fusion (and getting great shaves with C&E and TOB creams), but want to try different lathering media before making the hardware switch to Merkur.

[Queen of Blades]

Welcome to The Shave Den, brandron!

I think the guys have covered all the bases on the cream vs. soap debate, I think.

So, I'll just say, I like creams better.

[peacefrog]

Cream = Protection

Soap = Slick



This seems to be the predominant thinking, but I have to admit I haven't noticed that. Maybe there's enough variation from one brand to another that I can't generalize that much. I generally prefer using soaps, but I think that's largely because of the process of generating lather from a puck of soap. However, there are some cream out there that I really love, such as Truefitt & Hill. Try lots of both and see what you like.

[desmoface]

I thought I was totally converted to soap, in my case, Floris JF soap. Then, this weekend I shaved with my TOBS Rose and C&F Lavender and realized that the shaves I obtained were just as close as the shaves the soap provided, but with a little less irritation.

So, I'm doing a little experiment. Last Saturday I shaved with Taylors Rose, got an excellent shave. Sunday it was Castle & Forbes Lavender Cream, another fantastic shave. Monday (Yesterday) I shaved with my Floris soap, got a great shave, had to be a little more careful on me neck area, where I'm prone to irritation. I do think the shaves with the creams were a little better...

I'll keep the experiment going, but so far, those creams are winning me heart.

Steve

[Sejanus]

Welcome brandron!

For what it is worth, I am a 100% soap guy. I try creams once in awhile but aside from a TSD cream I do not keep them around. Just never use them!

[qhsdoitall]

Cream = Protection

Soap = Slick

I get better shaves from soaps but If I need a gentle shave I reach for cream.

Welcome Aboard! :cool:

My opinion too.

[Kingpepper]

Welcome Brandron!

I use both creams and soaps. IMHO soaps take a little more work to get a good lather, but that's me. Try both and enjoy!

[ZiggyDeath]

Isn't there also a marked difference between traditional hard soaps and glycerine based soaps? Other than the fact that some hot vapor will melt away your puck?

Generally speaking, isn't superlather based on the use of a glycrine soap?

[rick]

Welcome to TSD, Ziggy !

::

[Sejanus]

Welcome Ziggy!

[Queen of Blades]

Welcome to The Shave Den, ZiggyDeath!

ummm....is anyone gonna answer his question?

I would if I knew the answer. :o

[Sejanus]

After giving it some thought, I believe the difference between the traditional hard soaps and glycerine is basically the longevity of the soap.

While I do not superlather, I believe you are also correct that it is typically used with a glycerine based soap.

I should however, not be quoted on these answers.. but I seem to recall them being correct.

[ZiggyDeath]

Thanks for the welcome, I'm not a fan of hellos and goodbyes.

The reason why I posed these questions was because, if memory serves, but Mantic specifically specfies that Superlather is to be generated with a glycerine core. Unfortunately I do not have any experience with traditional/triple-milled soaps. All the soaps in my collection are glycerine based and lather up quickly; another difference I believe is the speed at which a lather is produced between the two.

[Sejanus]

All the soaps in my collection are glycerine based and lather up quickly; another difference I believe is the speed at which a lather is produced between the two.

I have both glycerine and traditional soaps and I find the lathers build just as quickly for both of them.

[ZiggyDeath]

Really? I really ought to get a hold of some hard soap. I don't know where to start from, plus I still have a bunch of creams which are hiding in a cabinet somewhere, at least a half a dozen kinds, which haven't been tested yet :eek:

[qhsdoitall]

Welcome ZD. Super lathers can be made with either a hard soap or a glycerin based soap. You can either put the cream in the bowl first and then charge the brush with soap and build your super lather or build a lather in the bowl with a soap and then add some cream and watch it explode all over the place. Your choice. I prefer the latter since I can make a great lather with the soap and then send it into overdrive with added cream.

A hard soap will last longer for sure but you may find the shave characteristics a little different between the two. I find a hard soap when using a str8 or the Feather ACD-N is usually a better choice for me.

[Scorpio]

Isn't there also a marked difference between traditional hard soaps and glycerine based soaps? Other than the fact that some hot vapor will melt away your puck?

Generally speaking, isn't superlather based on the use of a glycrine soap?

Aside from the obvious difference, the base used to make the soap, one being glycerin and the other being a vegetable base or a tallow base soap. Both produce lather at about the same rate base on my experience with both. Durability I think is based on frequency of use if proper care of the soap is taken.

Superlather can be made with both types of soaps. The effectiveness of the lather is solely based on the type of soap, its ingredients and the cream used to make the superlather. I get excellent superlather with both CP tallow base soaps and glycerin base soaps. Wheter one is better than the other is matter of personal preference.

Raf

[The Chebb]

I use both soaps & creams.

[soapbuddy]

Welcome!

[Single Wedge]

I used soaps, but progressed to creams. Soaps seemed to dry my skin too much and creams seem to leave me softer. I have never superlathered but since I am shaving tomorrow maybe I'll try it.

Williams and Proraso. That should be an interesting mix.

[OldFashioned]

i prefer creams

[Fortran]

Hi everyone

This is my first post here, although I have been surfing the forums for a while without the need to register.

Something caught my eye here and I thought I would post some clarifications based on my humble knowledge:

Glycerin is a product of the saponification process in which oil/fat (being either animal based like tallow or vegetarian, like olive or palm) reacts with peroxides to produce (soap+glycerin). As such ALL soap naturally contains glycerin, unless removed intentionally and sold separately as the case is with cheap bathroom soap (Dial, Zest etc.). That being said, again ALL shaving soaps must contain glycerin. If they do not, they will neither lubricate your skin, nor provide any protection from razor burns.

What some people refer to as "glycerin based" soap, is basically soap that was not made from scratch. Some manufacturers buy "soap base" which is bulk soap that naturally contains glycerin, but no additional colors or odors (no fragrance oils etc added), then they melt that and add their secret recipe (Shea butter, oils ect.) and produce scented "glycerin based" soap. Hard soaps are regular soaps which have been milled and/or compressed hard to produce uniformity. Here one may compare the "Williams" (very hard soap) to say "VDH" (rather soafter), both of which are pretty rich in glycerin content.

Just wanted to make this clear, as the discussion about superlathering brought this topic up.

Sorry if I wrote too much :-)

[soapbuddy]

Welcome Fortran!
I make "glycerin based" soaps, but they are made from scratch. Also some glycerin soaps are made with synthetic ingredients while others are not. (Mine are not).
My regular soaps are cold processed. They are never milled and/or compressed. Milling cold process soaps is also called rebatching; and for the most part; handmade, remilled soaps are pretty "rustic".
I'm too anal to sell rustic soaps.

[Fortran]

Hello Irena

What I referred to in my post about "Glycerin Based" soaps was simply to clarify what some manufacturers call their soaps, i.e. they come from a Glycerin base bulk. I am sure your handmade soap (as the case is with all handmade soap) will have naturally occurring glycerin that results in the process of soap making.

Most soap out there comes from organic bases (either animal fat or vegetarian oils). Some will contain petroleum based Glycerin, but those are in the minority. Not shaving soaps at least! And these days, with all the production of Bio Diesel, organic Glycerin from plants is rather available and cheap.

Milling or compressing the soap will not make it any better or worse. It is just an industrial process that is needed to maintain a standard quality benchmark. When someone buys Dial soap, for example, one will not tolerate any "impurities" due to less than perfect mixing of ingredients. Nevertheless, one will appreciate the "personal" touch in a handmade bar of soap where no two pieces look alike or weigh the same.

I am sure you make very good soap, and maybe I will buy some from the store at TSD soon :-) I still thought I had to write again to make sure no one is disillusioned about the whole Glycerin content.