Do soaps "break in"?

**Ruston** · 04-09-2012, 07:00 AM

In my short shaving journey I've used two soaps (MWF & Cella) and two croaps (RazoRock and Harris). The croaps lathered easily from day one, but it seems like the soaps get easier to lather as time goes on. I don't let my soaps dry (just put the lids back on when done). Does the extra moisture soften them a bit and make them easier to lather?

**turtle** · 04-09-2012, 07:06 AM

MWF can be a pain to lather for a new shaver. Keep loading your brush. When you think you have enough, load more. Then when you think you have TOO much, load some more.

Cella should pop with lather instantly.

You can go over Marco's "how to lather Cella" post to see how he recommends getting mountains of lather with Cella

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthr...ian-soft-soaps

**Harvey1** · 04-09-2012, 07:15 AM

I noticed the same thing, though only with very hard soaps, e.g. Tabac. With soft soaps (e.g. Cella) or "not so hard" soaps (e.g. Palmolive and Speick grated sticks) I didn't notice any improvement.

**Brent** · 04-09-2012, 07:56 AM

Originally Posted by Ruston

In my short shaving journey I've used two soaps (MWF & Cella) and two croaps (RazoRock and Harris). The croaps lathered easily from day one, but it seems like the soaps get easier to lather as time goes on. I don't let my soaps dry (just put the lids back on when done). Does the extra moisture soften them a bit and make them easier to lather?

I've heard some are easier to lather after "broken in" but I wonder if the soap doesn't actually break in, you just naturally learn how to lather with them so it seems like they break in.

**cvac** · 04-09-2012, 08:19 AM

Some soaps have a very hard outer layer which I find softens up after a couple uses.

**Songwind** · 04-09-2012, 08:20 AM

I've heard rumors of an extra dry "skin" forming on pucks of soap and that once past that, it gets easier.

For me it's been practice with a particular soap that makes the difference.

**DC_MPA** · 04-09-2012, 10:32 AM

I don't think I've notices soaps needing a breakin period but I certainly believe that soaps, creams, and brushes can be damned stubborn certain days and work flawlessly other days.

**sp514** · 04-09-2012, 10:33 AM

Originally Posted by cvac

Some soaps have a very hard outer layer which I find softens up after a couple uses.

I've found this to be true as well. Sometimes soap needs some softening up before it loads properly.

**5savages** · 04-09-2012, 10:59 AM

I know some put water on pucks 5 minutes or so before using it, but if I plan on using a hard soap which hasn't been used in a while, I'll put a bit of water on it the night before and cover it back up. It seems to help make it easier to load the next day.

**GreekGuy** · 04-09-2012, 11:50 AM

The UK made soaps in particular function better when used daily. Thats what I've found for GFT, C&E, and Floris. I know others have had the same experience and they may chime in as well

I suspect it has something to do with absorbing small amounts of water to rehydrate the soap a little bit. I don't soak pucks, but I suppose placing some water on the puck would have a similar effect as it breaking in provided you dump off the excess before loading

**Rushman2112** · 04-09-2012, 05:02 PM

Originally Posted by DC_MPA

I don't think I've notices soaps needing a breakin period but I certainly believe that soaps, creams, and brushes can be damned stubborn certain days and work flawlessly other days.

Yes, they like to screw with you in the mornings!

I do find my GFT Limes worked better after a few uses, but whether that was because I was new to wet shaving and took a while to get the hang of it, I am not sure. I have a fresh puck of the soap which I will look for a breaking in period when I come to start it - won't be for a while though as I am still mainly using MdC(!)

**Leon** · 05-28-2012, 08:05 AM

Originally Posted by Brent

I've heard some are easier to lather after "broken in" but I wonder if the soap doesn't actually break in, you just naturally learn how to lather with them so it seems like they break in.

Right, I find this too. The "outer layer" might be more tough to lather, so once you've used some times, it will be easier.

It will help if you put some drops of water some minutes before using the soap.

**LeftyT** · 05-28-2012, 10:01 AM

I think it's likely a hard, dry layer that needs to be softened up, through use or soaking. For Cade (the best, by the way), C&E, MWF and Mike's Natural, for example, a layer of water on top for a few minutes goes a long, long way. I even do this with Proraso and my homemade pucks of Arko.

**CharlieFoxtrot** · 05-28-2012, 04:08 PM

Originally Posted by cvac

Some soaps have a very hard outer layer which I find softens up after a couple uses.

I find this to be true when using Williams. After about five days it lathers like a boss.

**cb91710** · 05-28-2012, 04:24 PM

MWF lathers a LOT better after you take the saran wrap off

**ruchlos** · 05-28-2012, 06:32 PM

I was thinking this when first using a soap. I believe it was me that was actually breaking in though, and not the soap.

**talibeard** · 05-28-2012, 10:24 PM

Originally Posted by Harvey1

I noticed the same thing, though only with very hard soaps, e.g. Tabac. With soft soaps (e.g. Cella) or "not so hard" soaps (e.g. Palmolive and Speick grated sticks) I didn't notice any improvement.

Even with soft soaps it makes a difference; I am working on a brick of Cella and every time I take a new piece it takes a few days before it performs as good as the previous one. As if the soap needs a couple of times getting wet and dry again before it performs on its best.

**Cochese2323** · 05-29-2012, 08:51 PM

I think there might be something to using a soap continuously vs letting it sit for a while. But I use different types of brushes depending on the soap. Soft soaps I use my Thater brush. For really hard soaps I just picked up a boar brush and that really made the difference for me, especially with MWF. Even my dense 26mm TGN Finest XH set at 50mm doesn't work as good as the boar against the harder soap.