I do what you do except for days when I have extra time. On those days, I lather up and then put a hot handtowel which has been soaked in steamy hot water and squeezed to get out excess moisture, on my face. I let it sit there for a minute or two and then wipe off the lather and repeat. Then I wipe off and re-lather one more time and then shave.......Soooooo nice. Feels like I'm in the barber shop and very relaxing. Lynn