why is shaving gel hated in the wet shaving community?
Shaving gel is often disliked in the wet shaving community
for several reasons, mainly because it contrasts with the traditional shaving experience. Here’s why wet shavers tend to avoid it:
1. Lack of Lather Quality
Traditional wet shavers prefer rich, cushiony lathers from shaving soaps and creams. Shaving gels often lack the same luxurious, protective lather, making the experience feel subpar.
2. Poor Glide & Cushion
Gels tend to be thinner and lack the cushion that wet shavers seek for a smooth, irritation-free shave. A thick, creamy lather from a good shaving soap provides far better razor glide and protection.
3. No Ritual or Experience
Wet shaving is about ritual and enjoyment, from loading a brush to building a rich lather. Shaving gels are mass-market, commercial products designed for speed and convenience, which clashes with the slow, deliberate nature of wet shaving.
4. Canned Gels Contain Unwanted Chemicals
Most shaving gels are propellant-based and contain synthetic ingredients, alcohol, and preservatives that can dry out the skin. Traditional shaving creams and soaps often use natural ingredients like tallow, lanolin, or essential oils that nourish the skin.
5. Inferior Post-Shave Feel
Shaving gels don’t offer the same moisturizing properties as a good shaving soap. Traditional wet shaving products contain skin-friendly ingredients that leave the face feeling hydrated and refreshed rather than dry or irritated.
6. No Compatibility with Traditional Tools
Wet shavers use safety razors and straight razors, which perform best with traditional lathers that provide thickness and residual slickness. Shaving gel often dries quickly and lacks the performance needed for multiple passes.
7. It's Associated with Cartridge Razors & Mass-Market Shaving
Many wet shavers reject the cartridge razor industry, which promotes expensive, multi-blade systems and disposable products. Since shaving gels are typically marketed alongside cartridge razors, they’re often seen as part of that mass-market, low-quality shaving experience.
Conclusion
Shaving gel sacrifices tradition, luxury, and skin benefits for convenience. Wet shaving enthusiasts prefer the ritual, quality, and performance of a proper shaving soap or cream, making gels largely irrelevant in the community.
Would you agree, or have you seen any exceptions where a gel is well-received?