Soap vs. Cream

[Poetman]

I've been using shave creams since I started on this old shaving path because I've always thought that the creams would naturally lather better--more creamier. How do the soaps compare? What are the differences? Should I try a soap...if so, which one. I use Proraso cream, so what would be a good soap that's different.

Thanks!!

[DavidP]

Google around for "wet shaving soaps versus creams" and you'll find many blog posts & forum threads on the topic. My short answer: soaps are loaded differently onto your brush, and you should try Tabac.

[goatee]

many good soaps out there. lots of differences too. tallow/glyc. based, scent, ect.
heres a match for your gasoline,,, "try williams".... its very cheap, and you will either love it or hate it.
then post your results and watch the sparks fly! you will want popcorn to go with your reading pleasure.

[DanOK]

I use both and if creamy is one of the descriptors as a starting point I would suggest Tabac, Cella, Mitchell's Wool Fat, Truefitt & Hill Luxury Shave Soap, Art of Shaving Soaps, and Valobra Sapone Shave Stick. These all seem creamy to me, are reasonable value for your money, and are good starting points for learning about soaps. Proraso does make a soap I just have never used it and will defer to someone else for comment on how creamy a lather it produces.

[Shaving_CHENG]

I use both creams and soaps. I live in a humid climate; sometimes creams seem a little suffocating, and soaps seem to rinse off better.

I frequent Trumpers Limes, T&F Luxury, and Queen Charlotte Monaco.

Enjoy.

[The Easy Life]

I just started on this path a few months ago and also use Proraso (CO Bigelow). At the onset I also got a puck of Mitchell's Wool Fat (since many here rave about it) along with the Proraso. These are the only two I currently own but really like them both. The MWF is not mentholated so it was different than the Proraso and that is another reason I got it.

Often I mix the two as I like the menthol from the Proraso and the lanolin from the MWF. Some will say the MWF is hard to lather and there seem to be a bunch of reasons (hard water, too hot water, too soft a brush etc.). I will say that I use a pure badger brush, have extremely hard water, and use hot water and have had no problems with lathering it after the second use. The first two times I did have trouble but once the puck got a little love, it seems to lather nicely. Obviously, I am comparing this to no other soap. There is also a tutorial here on how to lather MWF.

Good luck on your endeavor, I am sure others here will be of much more help!

[dcobranchi]

VdH is dirt cheap and provides a nice slick lather. I melt a puck in a very large coffee cup/soup bowl.

[heybatter]

To quote another B&B'er:

"The difference is that creams are better."

[Dusty1]

The short answer is that creams provide more "cushion" under a razor, and the soaps are more "slick". Soaps will also last longer than creams, making them more economical. I recommend Tabac also as a first soap. I use it above all else.

Also, mixing soaps and creams is the BEST shave IMO.

[Dusty1]

Can I use the word "also" any more in my previous post?

[Aldershot]

Both can work well. You get a good variety of really nice scents with the creams. The glycerin soaps makers followed suit and now have huge lines of fragrances. My preference is for the quality soaps. For me they last longer and I get as good and mostly better lathers from my favorite soaps. I bought a lot of creams over the past few years and am now trying to use up all my creams and will only use soaps once they are gone.

[Theprofessor]

creams work for me

[Island Dreamer]

Use both but, generally, prefer creams. Neither is better than the other but creams lather more quickly.

[Sandokan]

No need for to chose one or the other; here's what you do in order to have the most fun and best lather - super-lather:
1. Get a few soaps you like (Include Trumper's, L'Occitane Cade, and some Glycerin based (e.g., Honeybee Spa).
2. Make initial lather (up to big bubbles form) using Soap only.
3. Add a drop of cream (choose the smell that supplements the smell of the soap well).
4. Keep lathering for the best-of-both-worlds, thick, and satisfying lather.

Have Fun!

[MaritimeFanatic]

+1 to pretty much all the above. Soaps tend to be "slicker," but the biggest difference, for me, is that soaps have much more "personality" than creams. A good cream will work well every time and more often than not they are very user friendly and consistent. Soaps, on the other hand, have different styles, feelings, and shave characteristics - all depending on the individual soap. I select soaps based on my mood and what type of shave I want to have. All will get you to where you are going, but the rides are different. I would recommend any soap already mentioned, and would particularly encourage Provence Sante, Pre de Provence - both French, inexpensive, and very nice - Arko, La Toja, and Irish Moos. I also would highly recommend checking out Queen Charlotte Soaps as well as SRD soaps. Everything listed is different from the rest, however, and it just takes time and lots of experimentation to find what you like best. That's really half the fun!

[dpmtherrien]

Soaps or creams is such a personal thing. and its all up to the shaver. The best thing to do is try several of each and find what you prefer. You've mentioned that you like the creams, so its best to try some of the better soaps and then compare.

As mentioned the VDH is a really nice soap, not expensive, and gives a great shave. Also try some Proraso, whichever one you think you'd like, some MWF, and a couple of the Col. Conk's. The Col.'s are not expensive so get several and see. Good luck.

[SuperChris]

I use both creams and soaps, and even a couple of croaps. Do yourself a favor and get some Razorock. Its a little bit cream, a little bit soap, and a whole lot of amazing. You can get it for under $10 and it works as good as products that cost a lot more. Personally I like the XXX scent the best but there are several to choose from.

[darrelino]

Welcome to B&B. I like both creams and soaps, have tried many different ones and what you like will be based on your personal preferences. I learned about uberlathers here at B&B and have found that they work the best for me: tough beard but sensitive skin. Basically, you combine a soap and a cream with a drop of lubricating agent, such as glycerin (I even found EVOO to be effective). Hope this helps!

[sulkhogan]

I prefer soaps myself. They're not as fussy as creams (for me, anyway), and I prefer to face lather, which just seems unnatural with creams. Try a variety of each and decide for yourself which you like.

[gus1942]

I use everything but prefer face lathering with Tabac and Irish Moos shave sticks.