The difference between shaving soap, shaving cream and shaving foam

Shaving you usually do on a daily basis and when you notice that without shaving foam your skin gets red and irritated, then maybe it is time to start using shaving soap, shaving cream of shaving foam.

It is very likely your dad or someone else close to you gave you a shaving set when you just started to get a beard that needed some maintenance. You probably did not think much of it.

Many men will stay loyal to the first brand they used and they do not ask any questions. That burning sensation and dry feeling must just be a part of shaving ''when you are a man.''

Skin irritation is a sign of manliness.

Well, it is most definitely not. It is very possible that your skin reacts differently to certain products than the person that gave you your first shave kit.

Research shows that most men (about 70%) shave themselves with a regular razor, but that most men do not really know how to do it properly[1].

That is something we are going to change with this blog post.

So, when you start your search for shaving products that will provide you with a bit more comfort, you will probably encounter these three:

1. Shaving cream
2. Shaving soap
3. Shaving foam

In a lot of cases men start to try some products from the super market, but the quality is not always great, so sometimes you hardly even notice the difference between using a shaving product or using none.

That is why it is smart to take a look at shops that are dedicated to quality products for men (like Moquer ?). There you can find high quality shaving soaps, creams and foams that will actually benefit your skin and reduce the chance of irritation and acne.

These products form a protective layer between your blade and your skin. They also usually contain natural ingredients to nourish and calm your skin.

But what are these products exactly and is there a different between them? Yes, there is definitely a difference between them and each category has its own properties.

Shaving soap is already around for a long time. It nourishes your skin, but it also provides cleansing. Shaving soap has been around for like 80 years already.

Schaving cream

When you are a man into wet-shaving (which means you do not shave electric), then you probably use shaving soap. When you notice that you still quite frequently cut yourself, you should think of changing to a shaving cream.

A shaving cream provides a slightly thicker layer between your skin and the blade, so the chance of cuts and irritation is less.

Shaving cream is also easier to use, which saves your some time in the morning when you are in a hurry.

Because of the shaving cream the razor will glide smoother over your skin and through your beard. That also benefits your skin afterwards.

It is already difficult enough to find the correct direction to shave and the correct way to put your blade on your skin. You do not want to struggle with the thickness of the cream as well.

Many men think that shaving cream usually has perfume in it and shaving soap does not. They are not wrong, but there are plenty of shaving creams without an added scent available.

How to apply shaving cream

There are 2 ways to apply shaving cream: you can either use your hands or a shaving brush. When you want to use your hands you should first wet your face. Afterwards you apply the cream on your hands. You only need a quarter size.

Now you apply the shaving cream smoothly on your face and neck. When you have an equal layer, you can start shaving yourself.

When you are using a shaving brush, then you should wet the shaving brush completely. You shake the excess water out of it and then you apply the same quarter size amount of cream directly on the brush.

Apply the shaving cream with the brush in circular motions on your face. This motion will help to thicken the cream and it will lift your beard hears for an easier shave.

Shaving soap

Shaving soap should not be applied with your hands. You really need a shaving brush to do it properly. The method is the same as when applying shaving cream. You wet the brush and shake the excess water out of it.

Depending on the shaving soap you sometimes need a little bit more or less water on your brush to thicken the soap. Shaving soap is also used to protect your skin against the blade, so that is a nice benefit.

Shaving foam

You also have brands that sell shaving foam from a jar. That is great for men with sensitive skin, because you directly have the correct amount of foam to apply in your beard. And your skin will be protected.

Using shaving foam saves you time, because you do not have to create it yourself with a brush or with your hands. But there is a downside.

The downside is that shaving foam contains a lot of hair already before you apply it on your face. This can make it more difficult to really get in your beard and between the beard hairs. That is why the hairs are not lifted as much.

In some cases the shaving foam will be more ''on'' your beard then ''in'' your beard, so it presses the individual hairs down, which makes for a less effective and comfortable shave.

So, make sure that when you use a shaving foam, that you lift the hairs with a brush for example and apply it against the direction your beard hairs grow. That way you have a higher change of success for a smooth result.

Skincare and shaving

You of course want that your shaving soap, shaving cream of shaving foam helps you to get a comfortable shave, but you also want those products to nourish and calm your skin.

That is why it is recommended to use products that contain glycerin. Glycerin binds itself to water and forms a protective layer between your skin and blade. It helps for a smoother glide of the razor.

Of course we also recommend using a good aftershave when you are done shaving. That way your skin will be hydrated more and your skin will be calmed. That way your skin will be repaired faster and the chance of redness or irritation is reduced.

Source:

[1] https://he02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/TJD/article/view/158896