Thread: Topic: Importance of a Soap's Post-Shave Feel

I would venture to guess that any shave soaps which leave your face feeling soft/moisturized are also very slick while on the face, meaning they are good performers both during and after the shave.

That is a non sequitur. You can get glide from a lot of things, including cheap lubricants. However, these need, and in my experience do not, contribute to good after shave skin care.

Originally Posted by herbert7890

Topic: Importance of a Soap's Post-Shave Feel

Ok guys. I know many guys have said that post shave feel doesn't matter or doesnt mean much to them. For me and I'm sure many other Wet Shavers, Post Shave Feel is THE most important aspect of a soap, either due to suffering from dry skin or plainly becuase they just love when a soap leaves the face moisturized and smooth.

Rationale: Post Shave feel should be one of the most important factors on soap since its the one aspect of the shave you get to appreciate the most, since you will be feeling your face all day and thus, the post shave feel really adds to the experience of soap (or breaks it, when is a bad post shave feel). I would say is right up there with slickness.

Let's face it, we only spend about 20 mins shaving and its done. But we will spend the entire day with the post shave feel of that said soap (assuming ceteris paribus, while other variables remaining constant, like the balm you use, weather, etc). I am a self proclaimed "faceturbator" and I know a lot of you are as well.

When I'm feeling the face during the day and it feels dry and harsh, it really turns me off from the soap and such soap is discarded from my den automatically. On the contrary, if the face feels soft and moustirized, it really grabs my attention and love for such soap. Its no wonder my top tier soaps are all very moisturizing, since that's my #1 Criteria on a soap.

What do you guys think?

OP, thanks very much for starting this thread. I agree with you in that it does depend a lot on your type of skin and your argument that you will "spend the entire day with the post shave feel of that said soap" is spot on.

I compare myself to my father in this case and it goes to show how different skins react to different soaps and creams: I have sensitive/dry combination skin and need the extra moisture, otherwise I break out, get ingrown hairs, etc. My father on the other hand has ultra-oily skin, meaning he can use just about anything and everything whenever he wants. No soaps or creams give him irritation and he can equally go without an aftershave or use as much alcohol in his post-shave product of choice as he wants.

There is no 'one size fits all' option, but getting this info out in the open is definitely a good thing.

Originally Posted by RobinK

That is a non sequitur. You can get glide from a lot of things, including cheap lubricants. However, these need, and in my experience do not, contribute to good after shave skin care.

I would humbly disagree, the "glide" from a cheap lubricant will never perform like a good shaving soap or cream. I would challenge you to shave using KY or mineral oil and afterwards you can tell me how it performed as well as any standard soap like TOBS, MWF, etc.

I like how my skin feels after I use an AS splash, and then a balm, no matter what soap I may have used. It is nice when a particular soap has it all, but I still go through my routine of splash and balm. I've done it for the past 54 years, and am too stubborn to change now.

+1 to splash & balm. Smells good feels good.

Originally Posted by TwistedOak

I would humbly disagree, the "glide" from a cheap lubricant will never perform like a good shaving soap or cream. I would challenge you to shave using KY or mineral oil and afterwards you can tell me how it performed as well as any standard soap like TOBS, MWF, etc.

I agree with this too. Shaving with these 'lubricants' as you say are likely to prevent smooth razor glide - that's one thing I noticed about my shaving creams and soaps. They do wonders for allowing the blade to flow like a river over the skin.