Thread: Creams or Soaps

I've been looking for info on the difference between creams and soaps and why some prefer one to the other? Seems to me that creams would lather better and provide better lubrication than soaps. Am I missing something?


Greg

I have only had 2 pucks and a bunch of samples from Al's shaving (the cream) but here's my 2 cents.. I mostly use the puck because of time. I shave in the AM for the most part. When I do have time I have starting using Al's cream. Yes it does produce a much different lather although it takes a little more effort. The cream seems a lot more airy and somewhat slicker. The trick is getting the right amount of water with it. The other difference I notice is with a puck you brush your face a lot more because that's where your making the lather.
Some pucks and creams are not as good as others like anything else. These differences will depend on your opinion only. What brush you use can affect all this too. High loft brush on a puck is not the best because there is not enough backbone to work the soap into the brush. You may want to read up on brushes as well as soaps. The hardest part about soaps for me is which scent to get. :<0)

I don't think there is much real difference between soaps and creams in performance other than creams may be a bit easier to work up a lather with. A good soap or cream seem to perform the same for me, same goes for the bad ones. The only way to find out which you prefer to use is try one of each to see which method is better for you and the type of brush you use.

Bob

I wish I could give a definitive answer, but my experience is otherwise. As previous posters have written, it tends to vary... a lot. Still, you asked for our expert opinions (though not in so many words), and I'll try to oblige.

Soaps: Not all are created equal. I've never been successful with triple-milled soap samples that I've tried, so I long ago "Just said 'No'". Some glycerin-based soaps have worked-out great -- TGQ and QED, in particular; sadly, TGQ is no longer in-business, and QED's selection is spotty (blame the high cost of many EO components) and I have never really been able to get some of them to lather as well as others.

Creams: I prefer "hard" creams -- Castle Forbes and Cyril R. Slater are my go-to brands, along with Acqua di Parma.

One important point: lathering. I know that many use a cup, mug, or scuttle; I do not -- I'm strictly a face-latherer, which works exceedingly well with all of my "hard" creams, and most of my soaps. It's either easier to face-lather, or less-inconvenient to do so, than to lather in a container. YMMV.

For my money, the Cyril R. Salter shaving creams are my favorites (Almond, French Vetiver, Indian Sandalwood, and Wild Rose), followed by QED Anise & Lavender, Bay Rum, Pine & Cedarwood, Sandalwood, Vetiver, and Wild Rose (from a B&B group-buy, long ago).

Ford or Chevy? Beatles or Stones? Blondes or Brunettes? There are literally dozens of great performing soaps and creams that are regularly discussed on this forum...Get a few of each and try them out, I can assure you that you will form opinions and find the ones with the scents/lather/price that work for you!

In the beginning the biggest difference is in the ease of use. It's just easier to load a cream to the brush when starting out. Soaps take a little more practice being a hard puck and it helps to have the experience with the creams so you can get a consistent lather with both. I liked creams early on, but now use soaps almost exclusively.

You'll develop a preference for one or the other, but probably still use both, like most of us.

Each give really the same lather with the same properties. It's more of a choice of the old "personal preference" than of performance.

Regards,

Howard

Howard speaks the truth. I should clarify my earlier post- I too started out with creams, specifically Truefitt and Hill, and Proraso. Now I use mostly soaps, probably 75% of the time, but I still use creams. Some guys use economical soaps like Palmolive, and some use expensive creams like Castle Forbes. But like Howard said, most use a rotation of a few of their favorites, which can run the whole spectrum of options.

I started with creams but now use soaps. Interesting question, isn't it?

Have you ever tried hand soaps? Some are creams from a dispenser, others a bar of soap. They both wash your hands, the extent depending on the product.

I prefer a soap bars too. I think it might come down to the process rather than the final result. If you enjoy working the puck/bar to make the lather, you might enjoy soap more. If you like having it already done, and just using it you might like cream more.

Not easy to answer.

I have always used pucks except for short intervals when someone gives me a cream for a gift. I don't like how a brush picks up a cream and it seems that it uses way to much, so the cream ends up more expensive. That's my 2 cents worth
Ben

My "Story."

Started with creams - why? - found them much easier to lather.

Later I began to buy soaps - why? - so I could make Uberlathers.

Discovered that making a lather with a soap is no harder than a cream... sometimes easier.

Ultimately, as per your question, I still prefer creams - why? - I find that they tend to produce more of a scent (and i am a scent whore). This however is mute when you use your creams sparingly, as I find that my creams begin to lose scent the second they are opened... all be it gradually. Of course some more than others. The soaps that I have had haven't seemingly been effected this way as long as I cover them when done.

Another thing I have found is that if I want to do a one pass shave, a soap is a way better way to go as it is easier to use sparingly. But that's not something I need worry about as I am a two pass min kind oh dude (beard grows in all kinds of directions).

Anyway, those are my observations. Making your own is the best part of this hobby lol.