Thread: Soap Vs Cream

What do you prefer and why, are you a soap guy, Do you like lathering up with a mug and a puck of soap, or do you prefer mixing shave creams up in a heated bowl, Which are you? Which brands do you like. I'm sure this has been posted before.

If there are 2500 members here, there will be 2500 different opinions. It gets down to personal likes. My preference is soap. But I like creams as well.

OK, I realize there are lot of members, I don't think I'll get 2500 responses. That would entail a lot of reading. I read a lot about soaps on this forum, and I'm wondering why more guys prefer soap over cream, that's all. IMO the lather is better, Just wondering.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of each?

I use mostly soaps, but I usually add a shot of cream in there for superlather....so I bastardize the whole process!

What are the individual merits?

That's what I mean, most everyone I hear likes soaps, They don't seem to lather as well as cream, they need help as you stated...What gives

While I do use creams, I'm primarily a soap guy. IMHO, soaps lather up a little lighter and have less "cushion". I like this when using a straight as I feel like I get better feedback and have a better sense of what's going on at the edge. I also enjoy the "building" process of soap lather compared to creams.

When using a DE (about once a year now ), I prefer creams because I feel they give a little more protection and I don't need the feedback I do with a straight. Creams also carry scents a little better than soaps.

Others may have the opposite experience, but...whatever. Its all good stuff.

EDIT: My soap lather doesn't need any help.

Jordan

Originally Posted by jnich67

While I do use creams, I'm primarily a soap guy. IMHO, soaps lather up a little lighter and have less "cushion". I like this when using a straight as I feel like I get better feedback and have a better sense of what's going on at the edge. I also enjoy the "building" process of soap lather compared to creams.

When using a DE (about once a year now ), I prefer creams because I feel they give a little more protection and I don't need the feedback I do with a straight. Creams also carry scents a little better than creams.

Others may have the opposite experience, but...whatever. Its all good stuff.

EDIT: My soap lather doesn't need any help.

Jordan

That makes sense to me, thanks for your input.

Originally Posted by Seraphim

What are the strengths and weaknesses of each?

I use mostly soaps, but I usually add a shot of cream in there for superlather....so I bastardize the whole process!

What are the individual merits?

+1. I used to be a soap guy and strictly did face lathering. I now do the superlather more often then not. Always lather in a bowl because it works better for me. I like the triple milled stuff like Harris and Trumpers and the glycerin based soaps such as those by QED and Coleen. Also Tabac and MWF. I use a few different flavors of Salter's cream. I may branch out to try other creams if I can quit buying razors and rocks.

I'm mostly a soap latherer...actually, I'm mostly a STICk latherer, and I face lather exclusively. I like soaps mostly because they last forever and a day--seriously, I can't imagine the day when my MWF stick disappears. Tabac is quite good as well, very old school scent. I love Valobra sticks, and Cella Crema is OUTSTANDING. Yep, soaps. Gotta love them

Creams are growing on me, though, mostly becuase of the scent issue mentioned, and the cusion effect.

I must admit, about the only glycerin soap that I've liked so far was VDH deluxe...amazing performance at that price. Boggles the mind, actually.

I love some of my creams but soaps are just cheaper. There are some soaps that are just superior to creams. After you try a puck of Penhaligons you will never look at creams the same again!


Take care,
Richard