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

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?

It really depends on the individual, as you have said. If they suffer from dry/sensitive skin then likely it is important. Me, I have oily skin so it really does not matter. Then there are users having normal skin to whom it may or may not matter. Whatever works for the user.

Bob

I for one like a shave soap that leaves a nice moisturized and comfortable post -shave feel, and yes I'm a guy that likes to feel my face after a shave I had hours earlier ( confession time I guess...chuckle.) I have normal to dry skin issues but nothing to severe, I understand a little bit where you are coming from, so yes, it's important to me. I've used a few soaps that performed well for the shave but left my face dried out and just didn't feel right in general, but I get along with most of them. I think it's an individual preference thing a little bit too.

I guess it would depend when you shave. I shave first thing in the morning and then immediately get into the shower after I clean up. Any post shave feel from the soap is virtually washed away and gone so it's not that important to me.
I can see that it would be quite a bit different for those who shave after their shower.
The important thing for me is how the soap performs during the shave.

Pete <:-}

Interesting timing on this post. Yesterday I would have had no opinion on it. This morning I had my first shave with a B&M soap (Seville), and I have to agree with the rationale. The soap was the only variable - otherwise it was my normal Monday to Thursday shave, Merkur 34C, Feather blade, shower before, Thayers Witch hazel and usually Clubman or Captains Choice after. I've been alternating between TOBS cream and MWF. I have to say I was amazed this morning; besides the cushion and slickness being superb, the smoothness and comfort after the shave were the best I've experienced. It's lunchtime and my face still feels great. And now that I think of it I had noticed feeling pretty dry after using MWF.
So, depending on skin type, I agree that it will be one of my main criteria for soap performance.
Can hardly wait to try this soap with my straight tomorrow.

I think that the different qualities of a soap are kind of interrelated and I would hate to sacrifice one for another. For me it is about a balance of properties. There are some soaps that are too strong and leave my face feeling less than refreshed. Post shave feel is a factor for me, but not the most important, but certainly part of the balance. It is all about having some of everything for me. There is the lather and how picky it is, the slickness, the scent and the post shave feel. Some soaps that are not on my favorites list for not having the balance of all the elements, not that they are bad soaps, just not meeting all the criteria.

The job of shave soap is to protect the skin and make the act of shaving more efficient.

Some soaps have ingredients that leave a scent behind or contain menthol which feels nice afterwards and some have things like lanolin which is supposed to have beneficial effects.

From my perspective when I wash off the soap I want it all gone and I really don't want anything lingering. I have A/S and witch hazel to do that. The soaps I've tried that claim skin improving effects have never delivered for me.

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Originally Posted by thebigspendur

From my perspective when I wash off the soap I want it all gone and I really don't want anything lingering. I have A/S and witch hazel to do that. The soaps I've tried that claim skin improving effects have never delivered for me.

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Could we make that an FAQ or a sticky? Preferably both? Prettypleathe? Kthanx, Nelson.

Same here, I want it all gone. I only care about it's primary function which is the shave.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by thebigspendur

From my perspective when I wash off the soap I want it all gone and I really don't want anything lingering. I have A/S and witch hazel to do that. The soaps I've tried that claim skin improving effects have never delivered for me.

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Most of my soaps I don't really notice much difference in the post shave accept one that the scent lasts a little longer and one (MWF) that I really like the feeling it leaves, but sadly I don't find myself using that soap as often anymore.

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.

Quote:

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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?

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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.

Quote:

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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.

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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.

Quote:

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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.

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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.