Thread: help me choose a shave soap.

So I have the vdh deluxe shave soap now and it is not helping with my razor bumps. I have noticed improvement since using straights and safetys but I still get them and they itch like crazy. I know how to shave properly my problem is my skin has always been sensitive and my hair grows every direction and tips and advice on a new soap?

They make soaps for sensitive skin. Maybe you should check into those. I think all the vendors that advertise here have them. I have read about this in the forum here but can't remember where. Try a search in the box up top and you should be able to pin point some answers. You may have to try a few till you find what works best for you. There may be other remedies besides soap. A good balm may help also.

2010johnjef, VDH also makes a glycerin shaving soap. I have sensitive skin and found, this morning as a matter of fact, I'd give it another try. Have tried several ways of using it, all satisfactory, but I like to experiment a little. Today I started with a pre shave oil of a little bit of olive oil. I keep it in a little spritzer and just squirt a couple of drops on my cheeks and neck, rub it in, and then with lukewarm water this time, invert the VDH and work up a loaded brush (new to me, a horsehair from Turkey) and then face lathered. Thats something I rarely do. I let the lather sit on my face while I stropped my razor -50 on linen, 50 on leather. I keep a big auto wash sponge dampened to wipe my blade on while shaving and used it to wipe my face and then did a very full face lathering again. Razor of choice this AM was a full hollow Blue Steel. Reminding myself about blade angle and the thought of "shave the lather, not the face" I had the damned best shave I've had in days. One nick when my mind wandered as I looked at the results WHILE shaving. Even with the alum block little or no sting. Finished with my favorit lotion and called it a good day.

Green Mountain Soap, and Scottish Fine Soaps are both good for sensitive skin.

Mitchells wool fat. Great mild soap. Try it !!

Proraso is nice on the skin

I, too, will also get bumps from time to time, though mine stems from how I treat my skin between shaves, as I usually shave every other day. My recommendation would be to try upping your skin care between shaves first and possibly give a day or two between shaves if this is possible and if you're not doing it already. Even if it's as simple as washing your face and neck in the morning and evening and applying a good lotion after washing. Keep using the same soap and see if it improves in a week. If not, start trying a new soap or cream each week or two (your face will need time to adjust to the new soap if your skin is as sensitive as mine is) until you have one that works for you.

Also, really watch your angle, pressure and lather, too, since if they aren't all quite right you can get irritation, even if it is only minor (like itchy razor bumps) and make sure your razor is in tip top shape. I know you are in Barber school, which is fantastic, but looking at your post history I see you've only been here for the last two weeks. I don't say this to belittle your experience, as I'm obviously not fully aware of how much you know nor how skillful you are with a straight... I only bring these things up because it's really easy to blame the soap or the razor when the underlying problem is technique or lather/beard prep. What happens when people do this is that they move from soap to soap and get the same results, ending in frustration. However, if you take a systematic approach and eliminate one variable at a time, you will find the cause of your irritation. The best way to work through that system is start with the basics. If at the end you still have irritation, you will know for sure if it's the soap or not.

With all of that said, it very well could be your face doesn't like the soap. If so, try out any of the above recommendations, as they're all good suggestions.

Good luck!!

One more suggestion. You might try the new Proraso White tub for sensitive skin. Easy to get a great lather with, and good conditioning.

Pretty much all quality soaps do the same basic thing, provide cushion and lube for shaving. If you have some allergic reaction causing you issues that's one thing however if you are having irritation and bump problems that may be more of a technique problem.

It's easy to test that theory. Just get a good soap like MWF for instance or Trumpers and see what happens.

Originally Posted by Lince

One more suggestion. You might try the new Proraso White tub for sensitive skin. Easy to get a great lather with, and good conditioning.

Nice blades

I've had both the tube and the tub and prefer the tube. I have the green Proraso but have the white pre/post cream.

I find that the pre/post cream is really good for calming down irritation and bumps. Maybe the OP should consider checking it out.