Interesting - I suspect this is more important if one has had a bit of a rough shave? WHich may have been true with some barbers who didn't maintain a great edge (re: Mark Twain's story, lol)
When I get good or great shaves I sometimes don't put anything and I still feel OK and don't have any issues, except maybe some dryness for a brief period. If I got a bit more aggressive - AS helps, but I'd guess I always take more than 3 min to apply (because I first clean stuff, wash the brush, etc - and this is usually longer than 3 mins, as I take my time)
Cheers
Ivo