Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 13

Thread: Soap vs. Cream

  1. #1
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Posts
    10
    Thanked: 0

    Default Soap vs. Cream

    I am brand new and have very sensitive skin. Any recommendations or advice on soap vs. cream.

    Thanks!

  2. #2
    Shvaing nut jbcohen's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Palanthas
    Posts
    664
    Thanked: 38

    Default

    don't know enough to answer the question but would like to address another part of your question. I used to think that I had sensitive skin when I sued a Sensor or an electric. When I picked up a double edge I found that I do not have sensitive skin and I can do this job with a broken coke bottle if I wish. My point is this, just becuase you think that you have sensitive skin does not mean that you actually have sensitive skin. I would recommend that you try shaving with non-sensitive products and see what happends. Of course I would stick with el-cheapo products in case I am wrong. I would go with Derby shave cream, since it is real real cheap.

    I could be worng but I don't think that I am.

  3. #3
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Posts
    10
    Thanked: 0

    Default

    Right now I wash my face in the shower, use a pre-shave oil, shave gel, Anthony aftershave soothing balm and change my razor blades every few days. I still get red irritated skin and razor bumps along my throat. I switched to Art of Shaving creme and a brush application it seems to help, some. I am hoping an ultra sharp blade and plenty of practice will help even more.

  4. #4
    Shvaing nut jbcohen's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Palanthas
    Posts
    664
    Thanked: 38

    Default

    I would recommend stoping that oil, but again as I said earlier I do not know enough to give you an answer. I hope someone will be along shortly to give you a better answer to your question.

  5. #5
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    San Francisco Bay Area
    Posts
    249
    Thanked: 37

    Default

    I would say light touch and paying attention to the angle of the blade will do wonders for sensitive skin. I wouldn't go for a BBS shave, just shorten the whiskers a touch. Next pass shorten them some more. Even do a second ATG pass with the light pressure and I bet your problems will go away.

    Oh yeah, make sure your blade is sharp. This is a standard line but it does need to be said.

  6. #6
    Senior Member blabbermouth Kees's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    The Netherlands
    Posts
    5,474
    Thanked: 656

    Default

    I have fewest problems using a straight, everything else causes more irritation.

    Good skinprep. is essential. Proraso is very nice stuff, use a not heavily perfumed A/S balm without alcohol.

    Use a sharp blade and as little pressure as possible.
    Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose. Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr.

  7. #7
    Senior Member blabbermouth JimmyHAD's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Posts
    32,564
    Thanked: 11042

    Default

    When you say you're changing blades often I assume you are using a DE ? If so many people find a milder blade such as a Derby to be less irritating than a sharper one such as a Feather.

    While I have sensitive skin to the point that I can only do two passes without irritation I've never suffered from the razor bumps and learned the no pressure gradual stubble removal technique (link) and that made things a lot better for me regardless of the shaving tool.

    I wash my face vigorously twice in the shower before every shave. Prep makes a great difference in shaving comfort as does technique, skin stretching and blade angle. As for cream versus soap, I like to take an almond sized dollop of cream in the shaving bowl and then load the brush with soap and make super lather. That is the most cushioning and comfort I've found.

    Everything in shaving is individual preference known as YMMV but I've also found that for me lathering in a bowl is much better than face lathering.
    Be careful how you treat people on your way up, you may meet them again on your way back down.

  8. #8
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Posts
    10
    Thanked: 0

    Default

    Currently using a mach 3, but my first Straight Razor is being shipped as we speak!! I am very excited. I think/hope using the significant upgrade in shaving utensil will make a big difference after I get the hang of it. The only downside is I fell in to another expensive and addictive hobby.

  9. #9
    Retired Developer
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Berlin
    Posts
    3,490
    Thanked: 1903

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by jbcohen View Post
    I would recommend stoping that oil, but again as I said earlier I do not know enough to give you an answer.
    Then why would you give one nonetheless? From a probably relevant article in the Wiki:
    Quote Originally Posted by jbcohen View Post
    I hope someone will be along shortly to give you a better answer to your question.
    To begin with, a search of this forum will deliver hundreds of posts regarding shaving oil. Same for "sensitive skin" +soap. A good place to search would be our very own review section.

    In a nutshell: Personally, I believe that human skins vary too widely to make any definitive recommendations, but it seems that you cannot go wrong with Castle Forbes. Personally, I use either CF's pre shave, or AOS's pre shave oils.

    Good luck, and keep us updated on your progress.

    Regards,
    Robin
    Last edited by BeBerlin; 07-15-2009 at 05:08 PM.

  10. The Following User Says Thank You to BeBerlin For This Useful Post:

    rockysopus (07-15-2009)

  11. #10
    Comrade in Arms Alraz's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Posts
    976
    Thanked: 332

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by rockysopus View Post
    change my razor blades every few days
    What razor are you using?

    In the past I have used some pre-shave oils with good results but I am not a big fan myself. Please keep in mind that the skin of every person is different so my results and yours could be completely different. However, the Art of Shaving cream seems to irritate the skin of several people, including mine. I have very sensitive skin and I find that out of the commercially available products, Mitchell's Wool Fat and Castle Forbes, excell in conditioning of the skin. You cannot go wrong with either. One thing that I found to be critical in preventing irritation is to use lather of the proper consistency. Lathering is a skill, which is often overlooked among wet shavers. This process can be divided into 3 stages:

    1) loading the brush; 2) building the lather; and 3) hydrating the lather. It is important to pay careful attention to each stage.

    When lathering, the most important thing is to be sure of finding the peak of the soap/cream (the point where no more lather can be produced). Both dry (before reaching the peak) and too wet (over the peak) lather can be problematic. Dry lather looks similar to cake frosting and can easily be detected by passing your brush over. If the brush leaves grooves, the lather is too dry. Lather has been obtained with too much water (past the peak) vanishes almost immediately after it touches the skin and can appear dry. These are very common problems among new and seasoned users. There is a good section in the wiki about lathering, if you have not done so already, a visit is in order:

    Category:Lather - Straight Razor Place Wiki

    Also, I think this that you may find this video useful:



    Regardless of the lathering method you use, another important point is to hydrate the lather after the peak is reached. You may want to take a look at this thread:

    Having a hard time creating decent lather

    This should give you a head start. If you have more problems, do not hesitate to ask. Happy shaving.

    Al raz.

  • The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Alraz For This Useful Post:

    BeBerlin (07-15-2009), FTG (07-16-2009), rockysopus (07-15-2009)

  • Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

    Posting Permissions

    • You may not post new threads
    • You may not post replies
    • You may not post attachments
    • You may not edit your posts
    •