Finally decided to give soap a chance!

**Duncanh48** · 08-25-2010, 02:07 AM

After being exclusively a cream user I have now decided to try soap and have placed an order for a couple of pucks.

After much consideration I've gone for a block of Cella Crema Da Sapone and a Mama Bear's Almond. Hopefully both of these are pretty good choices however I'd really welcome any further thoughts or recommendations, I'm especially keen to try soaps that have good moisturising properties.

**TheChefs** · 08-25-2010, 02:23 AM

I've never tried MB, but from little I know it's not one of the top performers, but it has great scent.

My fav soaps that are a must to get are MWF, Valobra shave stick, Provence Sante and Institut Karite. The runners up would be CADE (it's a bit drying), La Toja, Speick, Irisch Moos, Tabac, Pre de Provence...

**cymric** · 08-25-2010, 02:47 AM

Originally Posted by Duncanh48

... I'm especially keen to try soaps that have good moisturising properties.

For genuine moisturising you need a balm, not a soap. Shea butter, lanolin, ...: they make the skin soft(er), they do not moisturise. The only common humectant in soaps is glycerin. Other than that, enjoy.

**luvmysuper** · 08-25-2010, 02:49 AM

Gentlemens Best Signature series.
Mitchells Wool Fat.

Great stuff both.

**Perished** · 08-25-2010, 03:28 AM

Arko. Fantastic, and cheap, stuff.

**ShavelockFoams** · 08-25-2010, 04:13 AM

Palmolive stick. It is bargain priced tallow goodness.

**hometownhero** · 08-25-2010, 05:48 AM

Mwf and palmolive stick are top in my books

**Ruger Packer** · 08-25-2010, 02:58 PM

Originally Posted by TheChefs

I've never tried MB, but from little I know it's not one of the top performers, but it has great scent.

I guess performance is subjective. It depends on what you want the soap to do. Since I tossed the canned goop and started using MB's soaps, I no longer get razor burn/irritation. And, my shaves are BBS.

Not saying other soaps don't do the same. MB soaps are good value for the money.

**moonshine44** · 08-25-2010, 03:00 PM

Originally Posted by Ruger Packer

Not saying other soaps don't do the same. MB soaps are good value for the money.

Most definitely. Pretty much all of the soaps in my collection are from Mama Bear!

**Gravy** · 08-25-2010, 03:52 PM

Originally Posted by TheChefs

I've never tried MB, but from little I know it's not one of the top performers, but it has great scent.
.

I don't shave every day, but when I do, I shave w/ Mama Bear's.
Stay smooth my friend.

**deshaveman** · 08-25-2010, 05:25 PM

Originally Posted by Gravy

I don't shave every day, but when I do, I shave w/ Mama Bear's.
Stay smooth my friend.

From that photo you'd think that he hadn't shaved in a few months but that is just 5 O'clock shadow.

He's the most interesting man in the world.

**deshaveman** · 08-25-2010, 05:34 PM

Originally Posted by TheChefs

I've never tried MB, but from little I know it's not one of the top performers, but it has great scent.

Ever heard of a little thing called YMMV?

MB soaps, IMO, are always up there on my list of favorites because they both smell great and perform beautifully. Then again, I am one of those guys who likes the smell and performance of Tabac...

And now I await richmondesi's response.

**deshaveman** · 08-25-2010, 05:37 PM

Originally Posted by Duncanh48

After being exclusively a cream user I have now decided to try soap and have placed an order for a couple of pucks.

After much consideration I've gone for a block of Cella Crema Da Sapone and a Mama Bear's Almond. Hopefully both of these are pretty good choices however I'd really welcome any further thoughts or recommendations, I'm especially keen to try soaps that have good moisturising properties.

Welcome to the world of soaps. You will never go back to creams.

I recently pulled some tubes of cream out of my box o'shave junk and I am thoroughly underwhelmed by their performance. I am considering putting together a huge lot and selling most of them off. They simply can't compete with my MB, Tabac, Irisch Moos, Provence Sante, DRH, etc.

**Ignatius** · 08-25-2010, 05:59 PM

Its certainly true that some soaps cause more drying than others, and (imo) that soaps generally cause more drying than the really top quality creams. At the two ends of the spectrum for me are MWF and Tabac - the fat leaves my skin feeling better than before the shave, and just a dab of balm and my face feels nice and soft and moist all day. Tabac on the other hand, leaves my face tight and dry, and a fortnights bath of Donkey milk won't redeem its drying effect. Overall, though, I do feel creams are better in this regard.

**TheChefs** · 08-25-2010, 06:41 PM

I'm not sure what everyone talks about when they say a soap leaves them dry. Doesn't everyone use ASB? Or do you just shave, rinse with water and walk away?

After my shave I use Thayers Medicated Superhazel, which has alcohol. That way I can guage the quality of my shave/technique. The more it burns the worse the shave I had. Then I follow it with IK or PdP ASB. The ASB's leave my face feeling great for the rest of the day.

**biomesh** · 08-25-2010, 06:45 PM

I rarely use an ASB. I think it really depends on skin type and humidity levels.

I use an alcohol based AS every day with no dryness.

**ouch** · 08-25-2010, 06:52 PM

Hard to go wrong with DRH, GFT, or AoS- try 'em all.

**Duncanh48** · 08-26-2010, 12:09 AM

Well, I gave the Cella Crema Da Sapone a go this morning and have to say I was pretty impressed. I probably need to experiment a little with the amount of water added, but it felt good, zero irritation and my skin doesn't feel dry.

I've also caved in (didn't really take much persuasion to be honest) and bought some MWF which I should have for the weekend, really looking forward to trying it out!

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions.

**DFrancis** · 08-26-2010, 12:15 AM

Originally Posted by hometownhero

Mwf and palmolive stick are top in my books

I second that.

**deshaveman** · 08-26-2010, 05:59 AM

Originally Posted by biomesh

I rarely use an ASB. I think it really depends on skin type and humidity levels.

I use an alcohol based AS every day with no dryness.

Same here. I use alcohol cased AS almost every day. The couple balms I happen to own are reserved for those super-cold winter days or those days I try something new that doesn't work out.

This is totally one of those YMMV things. IME soaps are not more drying than creams. For me the seem slicker and I enjoy using them a whole lot more than most creams.