Some advocate using distilled water to make lather if you have hard water (I have very hard water). That works but it's enough of a minor hassle for me that I don't do that.

For my water, I've far and away had the best luck with the Bath and Body works remarketed Proraso and the Mama Bear glycerin tub soaps (awesome soaps IMO). I've had terrible luck with some other brands that others swear by so I know it's not the soaps/creams it's my water that makes some of those other brands completely ineffective.

Chris L