This page was created for the Interactive Guide to Lathering. This page intends to inform any wetshaver of the different products available to either create lather or replace lather. The discussion is often focused on Shaving Soap vs. Shaving Cream[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] but, this article will document the Brushless and Canned Gel products also.

This page does not intend to promote a product or type of product over another. Each wetshaver has a preference and should use what works for them.

There are 6 different products that will be discussed in this article and they are:

• Shaving Soap
• Shaving Cream
• Shaving Oil
• Brushless/Gel
• Gel(Canned)
• Water

Some wetshavers will argue that a shaving soap is better than a shaving cream. The shaving soap will last longer and provide better lather. A shaving soap could be manufactured as a puck or a shaving stick. Either format will provide what any wetshaver wants, lather. There are different categories of shaving soaps and they are referred to as follows (For more information, consult this page): Tallow, Triple-milled and Glycerin based. It is believed that a regular bar of soap was used before the invention or categorization of the soap as a shaving soap. [10] Most skin types agree with this product.

The second category of wetshavers will love a shaving cream to a shaving soap. Some will debate that the lather is better than a soap and they are easier to use[11]. As the shaving cream is not in a solid format(like a puck of soap), it will require less water to produce some lather. Many new wetshavers have issues with hard water in their city. Shaving creams can be purchased in tubes or tubs. Not all companies offer both format. Most skin types agree with this product.

Many use shaving oil in their pre-shave routine, some would use shaving oil to replace the lather[12]. It could be a product labeled as 'shaving oil' or plain cooking oil. Not all skin types agree with this product/technique.

Those products are very useful while traveling and do not require a shaving brush. Those products are usually sold in a tube in a cream or gel format. Some will use them on a regular basis where others might only do on occasion. [13]Most skin types agree with this product.

This type of product is not the most popular on Badger and Blade but is still used by many wetshavers. The lack of protection and overall quality of the product is often blamed [14]. This product is usually sold in a can. The product does not require a shaving brush. Some would argue that it's a very easy product to use and shouldn't be discredited because it's a pressurized can. There are auxilary ingredients such as propelants and preservatives necessary for the format but do not directly contribute to the shave itself, thus additional ingredients to counter those aforementioned ingredients. [15]Most skin types agree with this product.

For those who shave in the shower, some do not use any of the above products. They simply use water as their main source of lubricant to shave[16]. This is not for everyone[17] and those with sensitive skins could have a very bad reaction using water alone. Some would use the cold water shaving method to produce their lather, which is not the case here. Not all skin types agree with this product/technique.

• Shaving soaps with Olive oil in the ingredient list. Olive oil has a tendency to add a slickness to the lather but will also "kill" it(lather will disappear)[18][19][20][21][22].
• Soaps that are not labelled shaving soaps.
• Soaps made by some unknown soapmaker in their backyard, basement, back of a van, that you cannot find any reviews. When you are more experienced, you could always try and test those products if you want. As you are starting, avoid those products for now unless they are recommended by many veteran wet shavers.

• It is recommended to start with a shaving cream as creams are easier to use than a shaving soaps. Nothing should prevent you from using something else than a shaving cream if you want. What works for you is the most important.
• Read the reviews.
• Ask for advice in a thread.
• Many prefer shaving soaps to shaving creams or use both to build their lather(Superlather)[23].
• This page should help you getting started to wet shave.

1. ^Shaving Soap Vs. Shaving Cream - http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/9878
2. ^Shaving Soap Vs. Shaving Cream - http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/9880
3. ^Soap vs Cream for a Noob - http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/14044
4. ^Shaving Soap vs. Shaving Cream? - http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/27222
5. ^Experienced Newbie - Shave Cream vs. Shave Soap - http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/76748
6. ^Is Shaving Soap better than Shaving Cream? - http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/63548
7. ^Newbie with a question about shaving cream vs. shaving soap - http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/77651
8. ^Do soaps possess any real advantages over creams? - http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/143389
9. ^shaving soap vs. shaving cream - http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/210078
10. ^Before shaving soap and shave creams (History) - http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/201086
11. ^If your a newbie... use shave cream! - http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/186923
12. ^Recommend a Shave Oil. - http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/125602
13. ^Advantage of a brushless cream - http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/24929
14. ^What is so bad about canned creams? - http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/46978
15. ^Edge active care moisturizing cream review - http://badgerandblade.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=14337
16. ^Shave with nothing but blade and water - http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/160899
17. ^Shaving with just water, what a crock! - http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/151628
18. ^Olive Oil Soap - http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/178046
19. ^Help! Disappearing Lather. - http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/197570
20. ^wikipedia says shaving oil = olive oil - http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/143540
21. ^Is there a magic trick to getting olive oil based / cold processed soaps to lather? - http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/76192
22. ^olive oil in shave soap -- not even worth trying? - http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/207182
23. ^POLL: Soap or Cream, which did you use today? - http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/210086

• Interactive Guide to Lathering
• Lather Tutorials