I like to try out different soaps, but I always make my own shaving cream from scratch using; glycerin, shea butter, aloe vera, cocoa butter, castor oil, and almond oil right now. I have been thinking about getting some essential oils to add to the mix, or adding some different things, but I am happy experimenting with different measurements. There are lots of recipes online. Making your own is more time consuming, however, you can use what ever you want! There are soaps out there that have lots of oils and butters in them already so you could just use shaving soap if it is loaded with oils and stuff.