Thread: Clay in shave creams?

I noticed that clay appears in many of my shave soaps but not at all in the creams.
Any ideas on why this may be??

thanks

joe

I don't make soap but I know a little about clays. The clay I see as an ingredient in most soaps is called bentonite. It has many properties as and uses as you can read in the link but from what I remember most about it is it's slippery when wet. We used to use it for boring under streets to install pipe for traffic signals. It has tons of uses besides making soap dishes :<0) I suppose in a cream it may harden the consistency or not work as well with the other ingredients. A soap maker may come along and clarify.

Bentonite - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Bentonite Clay" wicks away impurities, adds lubricity and allows for even dispersion of scent throughout the soap.

Bentonite and or Kaolin clay are most often used. They add slicknesss to the soap.

I don't seek it out, but the shaving soaps and creams I have used with clay have all performed very well.

I make my own soaps, including shaving soaps, for some time now.
I know there are some recipes that include clays, bentonite clay, kaoline clay, etch. However, I have stopped using them in shaving soaps since I am quite sure that they do not really add anything positive to the qualities.
If you used a soap that includes clay and it performs well, it does perform well because it is a good made soap in terms or right percentages of the right oils, and not because it contains clay.
Too many myths in the hobby …

I've experiemented with making shaving soaps, and I'll echo what slur said. There are no downsides to using it (myths about it dulling razors are just that), but I can't say I can detect a difference.

That said, Ive never done a blind A/B test with the same soap with and without. So I can't really say.

joeuke,

You could buy a small quantity of bentonite, and try adding it do your lather : and let us know what you think

Bentonite is easily found in health & beauty stores.

Experimentation is part of the fun of wet-shaving : and you would be adding to the knowledge base here at SRP

Have fun

Best regards

Russ