CREAM or SOAP??

Will Power

Will Power

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I know this has almost certainly been debated on the large shaving/razor boards, but I'd like to hear of the experiences of people here.

Mainly, I veer towards cream as I find them less drying, but soaps are economical, do they cut it better?

What's your point of view on this and why?

I like Taylor creams a lot,Proraso too-although the smell is less enticing :eek:, L'Occitane and Col.conk soaps are all very good too.
 
I've only tried a couple creams, so not much experience there, but I really enjoy using my soaps. Anything from tabac to custom soaps, I seem to like them better than creams. Try FortyTwoBlade's hand-made cedar shaving soap, it's fantastic!
 
I too have only a couple of experiences with cream. They are more difficult, I think, to face-lather.
 
Hahaha that's funny--I was just going to mention the cedar soap I make/use! I really think it's hard to make a clear-cut comparison between creams and soaps in terms of their effectiveness. I've used a lot of different soaps, as I really enjoy using them, and the performance is all over the map depending on whose you use. I've found that the key to a good, hydrating lather from a soap really relies on it having a high glycerin content. I'm able to get a meringue-like lather in seconds with a proper glycerin soap, whereas others have failed to produce anything other than a weak runny mess with either boar OR badger. :p
 
I think soap works better, but I like the smell of C.O. Bigelow better (and I think it's quicker to lather cream.)

Either way, both dry out fast for me. Is a lather supposed to dry out after a minute? Mine dries out after about a minute, and I have to grab some more from the bowl. Just wondering if that's normal.
 
Thanks for your replies.

I favour creams from Taylor. St James' , Lavender, Eton Coll, Almond, Shaving Shop and Sandlewood, are the ones I've tried. They whip up impressively-although I usually use far too much-and get no problems with drying out. i always make my lather in a warmed cup, it takes only a minute and I find it works much better than face lathering, which I've never taken to.

I'm interested by what 42 writes on glycerin soaps, t must be true as some soaps I've used are useless slop and or smell like toilet cleaner..Others have provided decent lather that allows you a bit more 'feel' than creams do.
 
It's nice to switch it up. Sometimes I love the cool feel of Proraso, sometimes the moisturizing feeling of Musgo. Most of the time I use soaps though and favor Tabac & Mitchell's Wool Fat. I do get good results from even low end glycerine soaps too like Col Conks.
 
I use Mitchell's Wool Fat Shaving Soap, and wouldn't have it any other way. Just personal preference through trying a ton of stuff, using each for one month. Great lather!
 
I don"t really find a difference between the proraso green soap and cream other that the cream is easier to lather in a bowl. I prefer soap to creams simply because of the ritual of making the lather, I feel more in touch with the shave when using soap.
 
I went with soap and a brush years ago. Mostly since the college chicks then thought it was cool, it was most economical, more environmentally friendly (college chick thought again) and I just liked it better.

I do think it may dry your face out more, but I don't notice it much. Plus, I think it has saved me some money over the years vs cream in a can and may have been more eco friendly. However, those are guesses, not something I would want to defend in court.
 
I have bought a box of 'taylor of bond street' cream and really like it for travel purposes and for the ease of use.
It shaves a lot of time of my shaving ritual, which I like in some cases.

Normally I use proraso soap with glycerine added, which creates a great lather.
But the ease of use of cream makes it great for travel of for those times when you have less time on your hand.
 
I have found beating my face with a peeled banana makes for a fantastic vitamin enriched shave, especially with a glass of rum and pineapple juice on the side....
 
Ahahahahaha I know someone out there is going to try it. Forty-twoblade's cedar soap sounds great, I've been hunting for good soap/cream that doesn't smell like sir Wilkinson the 2nd's renaissance shirt collar. Love resurrecting the nostalgia of that time with a straight razor but I prefer eucalyptus or cedar over "old old old spice".
Cream or soap? My soap doesn't lather that great and my cream dries quick and leaves my blade chalky. I guess I'm being overly picky but high standards lead to great discoveries...or eternal searching lol
 
Colorcaster said:
Ahahahahaha I know someone out there is going to try it. Forty-twoblade's cedar soap sounds great, I've been hunting for good soap/cream that doesn't smell like sir Wilkinson the 2nd's renaissance shirt collar. Love resurrecting the nostalgia of that time with a straight razor but I prefer eucalyptus or cedar over "old old old spice".
Cream or soap? My soap doesn't lather that great and my cream dries quick and leaves my blade chalky. I guess I'm being overly picky but high standards lead to great discoveries...or eternal searching lol
Click to expand...

I have found that if your lather is drying out it is usually because you aren't using enough product, or oddly enough too much water. Try using 25-30% more cream or 25-30% less water when making your lather and see how that goes for you. I know the "dry lather/use less water" thing sounds backwards but it does work it is something about the thicker lather that prevents evaporation.
 
I am a shaving cream guy, because it lathers up quick, and I get up at 5:30am in order to get ready for work. I've used C.O. Bigelow, The Shave Den, and The Gentleman's Quarter. TGQ has been the best for me, as it is the slickest I've tried and the only one that doesn't make my razors drag along my face. I don't know what I'm going to use now that she's closed until further notice.:(
 
I think soap is better than cream but it doesn't mean that cream is not good.

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Yes, vital...

In another thread I praise the Italian Cella. This is a soft soap, putty like in consistency that is a kind of cross between soap and cream. It needs more water than the usual materials but presents an outstanding lather which although Castle Forbes, Taylor of Old Bond Street, Proraso and other very fine creams and soap provide, it overhauls them. Believe me, this IS saying something!
 
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