Thread: To Rinse or Not To Rinse- That is the Question.

Originally Posted by ScoutHikerDad

For me it's all about the ritual:
-hot water rinse; I also clean off the blade and brush while I've got the hot water going
-cold water rinse. On a real hot summer day I might even get a few ice cubes to rub around my freshly-shaved skin
-post-shave stropping followed by whatever AS I'm using

edit: Oh, and I've tried a lot of Wholly Kay. In my experience, that moisturizing feeling is still there hours after I've rinsed it off...YMMV.

My mileage certainly didn’t vary. That stuff works.

I’m all about the ritual as well. After I finish my last pass:

- take remaining soap on face (some from the brush if need be) and massage it into shaved area

- rub alum over entire area

- cold facecloth to wipe it all off

- aftershave splash

- a little balm


I’m serious about my ritual! After years now, I’ve got it down perfectly for me.

The reason I rub the remaining soap over my face after my last pass is to condition it - mostly for the glycerin. The alum disinfects and tightens the pours. The cold water a little more so... and it just feels good. The splash seals it all in and balm is my long term protection. I need very little in the summer. I “cut” everything with water - hence the wet. It’s a freaking joy!

After the last pass I rinse with cold water then towel dry. Apply witch hazel and then clean up razor, brush, scuttle, sink. By that time the witch hazel has dried and I apply the after shave. I like this routine a lot.
Paul

I have never given it much thought but I rinse with hot hot water and then apply balm.
I love my balms , it's probably the part I look forward to the most

It's like that oft-quoted dictum: "Lather, rinse, repeat."

I always rinse even though the residual from my primary soap never seems to actually rinse off with water as it is so moisturizing. I have yet to find a soap that compares to it which is a great benefit for my skin.

Rinse with cold water.. In summer i usually let my face drip over sink for 10 seconds or so and because its warm outside im usually shirtless and have a towel around my neck and clean up shaving supplies while my face dries.. Then the AS.. Colder times still cold water rinse, Quick pat with neck towel and procede as with it being warm out

Originally Posted by Speedster

I'm going to try out Theoman's method on my next shave. Seems like a great compromise solution for increased skin conditioning that will have the added benefit of using up my unchanged, small hoard of soaps/croaps a bit faster.

FWIW, I've been cold rinsing then applying my AS. I frequently wonder if I should try out some Witch Hazel one day soon.

How did the method work out?