Difference between soaps & creams? Pros & cons of each?

[ODJ]

Title pretty much says it all. Curious as to why some prefer soaps over creams and vice versa. Are there distinct advantages/disadvantages to both, or is it just merely personal preference to use a soap over a cream or a cream over a soap?

[Badger & Bengall]

From my limited experience, I believe there is no real difference between the two, except that soap will last you longer than cream.

I prefer soaps but I still use creams in my rotation.

[Useless shaver]

From my limited experience, I believe there is no real difference between the two, except that soap will last you longer than cream.

I prefer soaps but I still use creams in my rotation.

And the savings, don't forgert the savings... so that you can feed your ADs!!!:drool:

Welcome aboard!

[ackvil]

Both have their advantages and disadvantages. New wet shavers usually find creams to be easier to make a good lather Soaps last longer. As for me I like them both and usually combine them with glycerin and make Uberlather (http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/Uberlather).

[Jiddy]

Basically agree with what's been said above. Creams can be easier earlier on, and both have their place.

We also shouldn't forget the in betweener's: the soft-soaps like proraso. Personally, that's my favourite and I found it the easiest to lather early on.

Welcome aboard! :-D

[Wil Dorenbos]

We also shouldn't forget the in betweener's: the soft-soaps like proraso.
Welcome aboard! :-D

+1, tho I would say TFS or Vitos

[Optometrist]

Creams tend to be easier to lather so easier when learning, and they usually come in a wider range of scents. Soaps, as has been said, are generally cheaper in the long run, as they tend to last longer. I prefer soaps but do use creams intermittently.

[takeshi]

Are there distinct advantages/disadvantages to both
Try them and see for yourself. Yet another YMMV matter.

[patcheon]

I find that I could easily squeeze too much cream out of the tube. With soap, the amount loaded onto the brush is kind of real time and thus more accurate.

[wallstreet77]

The main difference for me is I bowl lather with creams, face lather with soaps. I'm liking soaps better these days but that changes back and forth.

[Captain Pre-Capsize]

I started with pucks and now much prefer the creams, don’t know why - I just do. Probably it is the cream tubes and their variety of designs.

[bkfist]

I started with soaps, tried creams for a couple years, back to soaps with only L'Occitane Cade cream and Musago Real cream remaining.

As to the difference, I just like soaps economy, no tubes, no fingers picking out a snurl of cream, less waste. Also many (although by no means all) creams contain paraben preservatives, no hard soap that I've *ever* seen has (or needs) these preservatives due to the lower water content.

Some say soaps give more glide, creams more cushion - I think it's more the fact that often cream users mix up a thicker lather, giving more cushion and less slickness than any significant difference in the actual performance potential.