🧼 How to Use Shaving Soap: The Ultimate Shaving Time Guide

Whether you're new to traditional wet shaving or a seasoned pro, one of the most enjoyable—and debated—aspects of the ritual is the shaving soap. At Shaving Time, we believe shaving should be a moment of mindfulness, and using the right soap is key to making that moment smooth, effective, and enjoyable.

This definitive guide breaks down everything you need to know about using shaving soap—from picking the right product to perfecting your lathering technique.

🧴 Shaving Soap vs Shaving Cream: What's the Difference?

One of the most common questions we hear is: “Should I use shaving soap or shaving cream?”

The answer comes down to personal preference. Shaving creams are ready to lather straight out of the tub—great for beginners or those in a hurry. Shaving soaps, on the other hand, take a little more work to lather but often provide a thicker cushion, last longer, and are the preferred choice for traditionalists and straight razor users.

Many mass-market shaving creams contain unnecessary chemicals and numbing agents. High-quality shaving soaps typically contain natural ingredients and offer superior skin benefits—especially important for those with sensitive skin.

🔍 What Makes a High-Quality Shaving Soap?

Not all shaving soaps are created equal. Here’s what to look for when choosing the right one for your shave:

• Tallow-based vs Glycerin-based:
• Tallow (animal fat) creates a rich, dense lather and excellent glide. Glycerin is more lightweight and often better for sensitive skin. Both work well—your skin type and razor style will help determine the best choice.
• Lather Performance:
• A good shaving soap should lather easily, produce a creamy consistency, and stay stable throughout your shave.
• Lubrication & Protection:
• It should allow your razor to glide smoothly, helping to reduce nicks, cuts, and irritation.
• Scent Profile:
• This is subjective, but a pleasant fragrance can elevate your shaving experience. Just be mindful if your skin is sensitive to strong scents.
• Price & Longevity:
• A quality soap will last much longer than creams, offering better value over time.

🫧 How to Lather Shaving Soap: Step-by-Step

Lathering shaving soap doesn’t have to be complicated—just follow these simple steps:

1. Prep Your Shaving Brush

Start with a clean, wet brush. Let it soak in warm water for 30 seconds to 1 minute (especially important for natural brushes).

2. Load the Brush

Swirl the brush over the soap in circular motions. After 15–30 seconds, the bristles should be loaded with a paste-like soap base.

3. Build the Lather

Move to your face or a shaving bowl and work the soap into a rich lather using circular motions. Add a few drops of water as needed to create a creamy, whipped consistency.

4. Apply and Shave

Spread the lather evenly across your face. Let the brush gently lift and coat each hair. Then, shave with the grain for your first pass, and re-lather if doing multiple passes.

🖌️ Matching Soap with Your Shaving Brush

Not all soaps and brushes play equally well together. Here's a quick pairing guide:

• Hard Soaps: Work best with stiffer bristle brushes (e.g., boar hair).
• Soft Soaps (Croaps): Pair nicely with softer bristle brushes (e.g., synthetic or silvertip badger).

If your soap isn't lathering properly, it might be due to the brush type or water hardness in your area—don’t hesitate to experiment.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Is shaving soap better than shaving cream?

Shaving soap generally creates a thicker, more luxurious lather and lasts longer than cream. Cream is faster to use but doesn’t provide the same barbershop-level experience.

Can I use regular soap to shave?

Technically, yes—but we don’t recommend it. Regular soaps don't provide the cushioning or glide needed for a proper shave and may cause irritation.

🧼 Try It Yourself

At Shaving Time, we stock a carefully selected range of shaving soaps, from classic tallow formulas to vegan-friendly glycerin blends. Whether you're into strong scents or unscented formulas for sensitive skin, we’ve got something for every shaver.

🔗 Explore our full range of shaving soaps here

🧽 Final Tip

Always rinse your brush thoroughly after use, shake out excess water, and let it dry bristles-down. This extends its life and keeps your shaves fresh.