Thread: Dry Skin

I wanted to thank all of you for all the information provided that got me to where I am today. With that being said I do have a quick question and I think I know the answer, but I'm not the expert. These past couple of nights I have had trouble getting a thick lather and the lather I do get seems lacking in the fluid motion department. When I do my first stroke it does "ok," but it leaves my skin DRY!! Even with the lather it seems I can't get a fluid motion to save my life because there is too much resistance. My equipment consists of "inexpensive" stuff because I wanted to be sure I was going to continue using the straight razor after I purchased everything. I picked up a Van Der Hagen shaving kit with soap, bowl, and boar bristle brush (link). Any comments, suggestions, criticism is welcomed and appreciated.

Thanks!

Sounds like you could use a dab more water in your lather, just to add a little moisture! Get your lather going and then just add a few drops of water at a time and you'll find that it suddenly explodes and you have a cup brimming with lather.

It takes a little time to get this right, so dont be afraid to take a few practice runs with different amounts of water and see what you come up with.

The other thing I've started using recently is Trumpers unscented moisturiser as a pre-shave treatment.

Geo F Trumper - Moisturiser - Fragrance Free Moisturising Lotion plastic travel / refill bottle 100ml

What I do is slather on a load of this stuff (about a teaspoons worth) and then chuck a hot towel over the top. Then I wipe most of the moisturiser with the towel and then apply my lather. Dont leave all the moisturiser on as it can kill your lather, but you dont need to be precious about getting it all off either!

Once I've got the lather on, I start shaving and I've been getting my best shaves yet! Its really good stuff, this moisturiser. It helps protect the skin, moisturises the skin (duh, obviously Stu... ) and it adds glide to the shave. I really like it!

Good luck!

I agree with Stubear, a bit more water in your lather would probably help. Real, good lather is a lot slicker and thinner than most people (including myself!) imagine it to be when they first start out.

+1 on the lather mix, try adding more water, I fase lather, where i swirl my wet brush on the soap then mix the lather directly on my face, if its to thin i swirl on the soap again, if its to dry i dip the tips of the brush in hot water.
Its a system that works for me.

And try a pre shave oil, I`m currently using a 1:1 mix of olive oil and castor oil, and it works a treat.

I started as a face latherer, since switching to building lather in a mug, I am continually amazed at how much water the lather can take to make it right, but I use a cream not soap. If you mix it too thin, it will be slick at first but dry up quickly and will not offer much of a cushion. If you mix it too thick, it will be sticky and will dry out quickly. If you mix it right, it will be slick and will dry out slowly and will give tons of cushion.

On a side note, I have gotten wonderful improvements on both quality and comfort, since switching to the cold water shave. If you havent tried it, do so, IMO.

Another thing you can try is adding a little glycerine (about 10 drops) to the lather bowl before you whip up your soap.

I found this very helpful when I was starting out. Of course, a lot depends on your water too. If it is hard (high mineral content) then it may be difficult to whip up lather no matter what.

-Rob

Hello, everyone:

I prefer my lather a touch watery. Sure, it is still luxurious, but this way, for its obvious higher water content, it remains moist on my face even if, for some reason, I have taken little longer to shave.

When using pre-shave, I try not to load up, because that can kill the lather. Also, when using glycerin with certain soaps, I add only about three or four drops, because excessive amount of that can also kill the lather.

All this is the result of continuous experimentation and improvisation. I guess we never stop experimenting.

Regards,
Obie

Originally Posted by Stubear

Sounds like you could use a dab more water in your lather, just to add a little moisture! Get your lather going and then just add a few drops of water at a time and you'll find that it suddenly explodes and you have a cup brimming with lather.

It takes a little time to get this right, so dont be afraid to take a few practice runs with different amounts of water and see what you come up with.

The other thing I've started using recently is Trumpers unscented moisturiser as a pre-shave treatment.

Geo F Trumper - Moisturiser - Fragrance Free Moisturising Lotion plastic travel / refill bottle 100ml

What I do is slather on a load of this stuff (about a teaspoons worth) and then chuck a hot towel over the top. Then I wipe most of the moisturiser with the towel and then apply my lather. Dont leave all the moisturiser on as it can kill your lather, but you dont need to be precious about getting it all off either!

Once I've got the lather on, I start shaving and I've been getting my best shaves yet! Its really good stuff, this moisturiser. It helps protect the skin, moisturises the skin (duh, obviously Stu... ) and it adds glide to the shave. I really like it!

Good luck!

Had a try at adding moisturiser and the hot towel treatment myself. Cracking shave Stu, best yet! Great advice thanks.