What I do is use a lot of water and most of it runs off in the first stages. I know about the problem you mentioned... the lather I make end sup having no visible bubbles, even close up. It feels like cream. Like sun block. So its not thin. Its thick and creamy, and only about 1-2mm coverage on the skin- the stubble pops out, but it is thick enough that skin is whited out from view, only black dots are visible.