Thread: Vendor shaving tip from Mama Bear

Never wash your face before shaving...

There is a film of oil on your face in the morning for most of us. This actually helps to give you a better shave, it provides just another layer to keep the blade from roughing up your skin. Washing your face before shaving removes that protective film and can cause your blade to skip more than it would with the film and rough up your face even more. Wash your face after you shave.. or if you are using soap, wash your face with the left over lather. Shaving soaps are specially made to be used on the face and using the left over lather to wash your face with will give your face both cleansing and moisturizing properties that a bath soap won't.

Thanks for that info!

Makes sense... Thanks for the tip!

If you are shaving after having a shower, will the oils not be washed away regardless of whether you wash or not?

Wow that's quite some advice and though I respect your opinion I have to disagree. Washing your face before shaving causes the wiskers to plump making shaving easier and I think the oil on your face can cause less friction twix the blade and the whiskers which means a poorer shave because the oil will make the blades job more difficult. I know they sell electric shave which oils up your skin and whiskers which makes shaving with an electric easier but electric shaving is a whole other situation with different requirements. Also using heat like a hot towel which is highly recommended will remove the oil anyway whether you soap up or not and soften your beard.

However maybe some brave soul will experiment and shave without washing or hot towel. Just lather and shave.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

...However maybe some brave soul will experiment and shave without washing or hot towel. Just lather and shave.

Actually that's how I "stress test" a razor before I consider it shave ready. If I get a pretty good shave with minimal prep (no face wash before hand, just lather and go), I know it's worthy of entering my rotation.

I personally don't like doing that all the time though, I think it's a rougher shave if I don't wash first.

I have had a bunch of gentlemen convince me this was the holy grail to shaving.... but I know darn well nothing beats a hot towel.

Can we discuss? I don't mind having my head on the chopping block if someone learns something!!

Bear Hugs! Sue

I think this thread is more appropriate for the Shaving section, so I'm moving it there

Does splashing water on your beard before lathering count as washing your face? If not, then what Sue suggests is what I have always done in the mornings.

James.

Have to admit that I've noticed no difference in the quality of the shave whether I wash my face prior to it or not, been alternating for the last two weeks. Would stress that this is only my experience. Great tip for the left over lather, hadn't occurred to me and will certainly be giving this a go.