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Martin is a dedicated entrepreneur and passionate barbershop enthusiast. He has delved deeply into the world of shaving and beard care and wants to bring the unique barbershop experience to every bathroom.
Perhaps you have wondered what to use instead of shaving foam, especially if you’ve had adverse reactions to the last product you tried. We are fans of shaving soap for wet shaving.
Shaving soap is a true alternative to shaving gel. Of course, you need to know a bit about how to use it. We’ll show you how it works.
What is Shaving Soap?
Shaving soap is actually soap from which you create shaving foam for your shave. It comes in two different consistencies: hard and soft.
The hard variant feels like a bar of soap, while the soft one is available in bowls or tubes and is slightly creamy.
The classic is certainly the hard variant. It immediately gives you that barbershop feel. It comes in nostalgic tins or packaging and has a scent that makes shaving a lifestyle.
Shaving soap is made from saponified fats, oils, kaolin, and water. Additionally, the soap is enriched with natural essential oils for a better scent. It contains no synthetic ingredients or propellants, like those found in canned foam.
It is often more compatible with the skin than shaving foam or gel.
Looking for the right shaving & beard care set? We have it—click the button.
Expert Tip: Even the ancient Egyptians used shaving soap around 3000 BC—or at least its precursor. The product was made from animal fats and perfume essences.
In the 17th century, we find the first mentions of shaving soap as we know it today. It was primarily used by the English and French nobility at that time.
Feel free to browse our shop, where we have 4 fantastic types of shaving soap for purchase.
How to Use Shaving Soap?
If you want to use shaving soap, you don’t need to be a rocket scientist. For a successful shave, just follow our instructions:
- Shaving soap - a small piece is enough - should be mixed with warm water in a shaving bowl. Depending on the soap's consistency, it might be sufficient to briefly dip the shaving brush in water.
- With a proper shaving brush, mix water and soap to a lathering consistency. It sounds laborious, but it's actually meditative. At least that’s what we think. And those who practice can do it in less than a minute.
Where is the best place to lather shaving soap?
For lathering shaving soap, you ideally use a shaving bowl. It is usually made of stainless steel (so if it falls, nothing happens…) and is ideally sized to hold comfortably in one hand. Check out our shop.
Ideally, the bowl is not too large, so you can easily hold it in one hand while mixing with the other.
And of course, to achieve a lathering result as quickly and effectively as possible.
How to Properly Lather Shaving Soap: Here’s How
Lathering shaving soap admittedly requires some practice.
Brute force helps little; instead, think of a cook preparing zabaglione: soap and water are gently and in circular motions in both directions whisked.
For optimal lathering, a high-quality shaving brush is recommended. Our favorite is available in the Störtebekker shop: a brush made of faux badger hair. It is vegan and thus free from animal cruelty. And it delivers a good result.
Tip: Lathering Shaving Soap without a Brush - If you don’t have a shaving brush, you can wet your hands and moisten the soap with some warm water. Now you can rub the shaving soap between your hands, similar to washing your hands, until foam forms.
What’s Better: Shaving Soap or Shaving Foam?
Sure, shaving soap requires a bit more effort because you need to lather it first. Shaving foam is therefore especially popular among younger men and those who are in a hurry.
But not everyone can tolerate shaving foam. It contains synthetic substances and propellants, which can lead to allergic reactions. The cans require a lot of energy and water in their production and contribute to waste. The propellants also add to environmental pollution.
Decide for yourself what you prefer: shaving soap, shaving foam, or shaving cream.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shaving Soap
How often can you use shaving soap?
Shaving soap can be used with every shave. Remember to apply appropriate care afterward to prevent skin dryness.
How to Store Shaving Soap: Where and How?
A dry and cool storage is recommended. If the shaving soap is exposed to the sun, it can melt. It should also not be stored in a damp place, such as in the shower.
How long does shaving soap last?
This depends not only on the size of the soap but also on your beard, the amount used, and your shaving cycle. If you shave your beard every few days, the shaving soap will naturally be used up much quicker than if you use it only once a week.
How long to let shaving soap sit?
Ideally, you should let the shaving soap sit for two to three minutes so that the beard hairs become sufficiently soft for shaving.
Conclusion
Shaving soap is truly a cornerstone of barber culture. Its scent conveys pure barber wellness. We love it for our morning shavingroutine. It lets us momentarily escape from everyday life, and honestly: What is more soothing than losing track of time while lathering shaving foam?
We have already written many tips and information about shaving for you:
