Shaving Soap

Shaving soap for men

Not all shaving soaps these days are still solid, but the classic products usually are. Shaving soap differs from regular (hand) soap because it is richer in nourishing fatty acids, making it gentler on your skin and resulting in thicker lather when whipped up with a shaving brush.

How to use shaving soap?

To use your shave soap in the best way, you will need a shaving brush. Place the shaving soap in a shaving soap bowl and dampen the bottom of the shaving brush bristles slightly with lukewarm water.

Then, move your shaving brush in circular motions over the hard shaving soap so that the top layer softens. You can then whip it into a nice shaving foam using the brush. A block of shaving soap can be used many times to help with shaving.

Once your shaving soap has turned into a nice, thick lather, apply it to the area you want to shave – preferably with your shaving brush, in short strokes. Spread it evenly so that the entire area is covered with a nice layer of shave soap.

Benefits of good shaving soap

Shaving soap has many benefits when used for classic wet shaving. Firstly, it softens your beard hairs and helps your classic razor glide smoothly over your face. It also contains nourishing and moisturising ingredients to soothe your skin.

Another important function of shaving soap in combination with a shaving brush is that it helps lift your beard hairs upright so they can be shaved off more cleanly and easily. Shaving soap, therefore, helps you shave very close to the skin for an ultra-smooth result.

Normally, when you shave very close to the skin, you may experience razor burn, irritation or small cuts. Shaving soap helps reduce that risk and soothes your skin, meaning less redness or itching. And of course, an aftershave helps too after shaving.

Best shaving soap for men

There are many brands in the world of shaving and shaving soap, but three very popular ones are Proraso, Mühle and Taylor of Old Bond Street. Proraso shaving soap comes from Italy and is very popular due to its affordability and the fact that you don’t need to lather it yourself. Proraso shaving soap can be applied directly from the pot using your hands or a shaving brush.

If you are really going for the traditional approach, then the German quality brand Mühle is worth considering. Mühle shaving soap is available in four different scents and comes in either a porcelain or wooden bowl. This way, you can lather the Mühle Shaving Soap straight away. Afterwards, you can easily buy refill packs, which are very affordable, since you already have a nice lathering bowl. Mühle shaving soap is available in the scents aloe vera, sea buckthorn, sandalwood, and grapefruit & mint.

The British Taylor of Old Bond Street Shaving Soap is also a popular option these days, so fortunately there is plenty to choose from. Of course, there are more options available, but these are all true classic European shaving brands.