Thread: Shaving Soap Drying Out

Hello SRP,

I recently started shaving with a straight razor a few weeks ago and have tried a few different varieties of shaving soap. The problem I have is I consistently have the lather dry out after I finish one side of my face. Should I being working the lather differently or am I just not shaving fast enough? Lol I typically work the lather in a bowl and take about 5 min. to shave one side of my face. The soaps I've used are proraso, razorock, and blades grim. Thanks in advance for the feedback!

It could be that it may need a little more water, but if the shave is fine, then it could just be a time thing. This being the case, try just lathering half of your face at a time until you become a little more proficient.

Whenever i'm on holiday, I like to shave outside. I was in South Africa earlier in the year and found that i had to shave extremely fast to get finished before the lather dried out.

Sounds like you need to add more water.
For new soaps, I actually keep adding water until I know they are too thin to shave with because sometimes you think you've got the mixture right, but then just a few more drops of water and the lather explodes.
Every soap is different, but I bet I add about 2 teaspoons of water to an almond sized squirt of proraso.

Spend the time to just sit down and mix lather one day. It's more entertaining than you might think and you can learn about the water ratios.

I ran in to the same problem with the Blades Grim soap when I first started straight shaving. Hell I even asked the same question. I found it was a combination of two things: time & water. Your shaving time will improve. Right now take your time. Learn the skill. Enjoy the shave. As @criswilson10 said play with your soaps. Add more water. Then add some more. If you add to much water just load a little more soap.

ENJOY THE SHAVE

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if its drying out in 5 minutes then its more than likely your not getting enough water, like Chris said , play with lathering and learn how much water your soap can take. when I get a new soap I palm lather it a few times adding water till I see the point of going to far then I adjust watching the way the lather reacts, soon you will know when the right combo is.
most soaps and creams take more water than you think, Tc

I've always found some soaps have a tendency to dry fast and there isn't much you can do about that. In these parts we have single digit humidity so everything dries fast which doesn't help. I try and use the soaps that have staying power and make loads of lather and at some point a shot of water will be called for.

If you are sure your lather is proper wet and you like the product then you just deal with it.