-
I had a lot of trouble softening my beard also. I tried many different soaps to try and get the oil off my beard so it would absorb more water. I finally found a peppermint castile soap that did the trick. I wash my face with it before I shave. I usually wash twice before applying lather. If I have a two day growth of beard I can feel the hair relax after washing so I know it has absorbed water. I have tried other castile soap and they all work for me, but the peppermint EO seems to remove facial oil more quickly than the more gentle versions of the soap.
-
Interesting! Is it Dr Bronners? I find it is too drying in the winter months, but fine in warmer climate. It seems to remove oil most effectively. So you get a better shave by removing oil than adding it? I seem to get my best morning shaves by rubbing in vitamin E oil the nite before.
-
I use the Dr Bronner's before every shave. You really can feel the hairs soften. I liked it so much I bought a bottle for the shower :)
Chris
-
Yes, a bottle stays in the shower. I like the minty-fresh tingle it puts on the skin. Very different product, esp as reading the label! :rofl2: I will try it before shaving!
-
Hot shower and use conditioner to soften the hair growth after your shower use your pre shave lather up and shave
-
MUSGO REAL SOAP +1
really gives a nice glide to skin if suds left on. I lather over it.
-
I went through 2 bars of MrGlo before I gave up on it. It obviously works for some shavers just not for me. I think the reason castile soap worked for me is the lack of other additives. It is the only soap I have ever used that simply strips oil from my hair and beard. Maybe someone familiar with soaps can explain what I am experiencing.
-
I am curious too. What I gather is that you feel that removing oil from the hair (which DB does well), the hairs absorb water better, improving the shave?
-
Yes, that's what seems logical to me. I also noticed that the longer the beard (2 or 3 days growth) the more noticeable the affect. The longer beard goes from inflexible to flexing after a couple of washings. The first time it happened I was very surprised and immediately got out a straight and had the best straight shave I have ever had. The soap works even on a day's growth, but the stubble is too short to show the affect of the soap.
-
That IS interesting! I have found that I scrub good at nite and apply vitamin E oil (3 or 4 drops) before bed makes for a better (or at least more comfortable) shave the next morn. I like the efffect on the skin for shaving, but wonder how much it might be blocking the moisture from the hairs? I have made note that it does not work well if applied directly before shaving. Works better if applied the night before.