Thread: Softening my whiskers

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! 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.