8 BEST SHAVING SOAPS FOR A CLOSE & SMOOTH SHAVE

The classic shaving experience can only be achieved by using the best quality elements and that includes a high-quality shaving soap. Just like our fathers, grandfathers and beyond, shaving soap is the traditional choice to achieve a super-rich lather. These days there are so many options when it comes to shaving soaps that it may be difficult to find a premium shaving soap without repeatedly trying multiple soaps.

This guide will help you cut down some or all that wasted time and energy by providing you with ten of the best shaving soaps available. We have done most of the work for you, comparing shaving soaps from many different manufacturers. These shaving soaps have been evaluated on many different characteristics vital to providing the best lather and ultimately the best shaving experience.

Buying Guide

How did we come to these Shaving Soaps? Shaving soaps can be as varied as the individuals that use them. However, there are a few features that we considered to determine the best shaving soaps. These features include:

Base Ingredient: There is five general options for the base ingredient found in shaving soaps, they include:

• Coconut Oil – Provides a richer lather than some other bases, requires warm water, great for sensitive skin
• Sodium Palmate – The result of palm oil and sodium hydroxide, this is often found in soaps that provide a little more cleansing, requires warm water and is harder to lather than other bases, great for dry skin
• Glycerin – One of the oldest soap bases, glycerin provides necessary hydration to the skin, is a perfect carrier base for most other ingredients and lathers quite well with a quality shave brush and warm or cool water
• Bentonite Clay – A newer base for artisanal type shave soaps, increases razor glide, and helps to detoxify the skin but may be harder to achieve a rich lather
• Tallow – Essentially rendered animal fat, similar to sodium palmate and glycerin in benefits, stabilizes and thickens lather, also may result in a harder soap

Fat/Oil Content: Ingredients derived from quality fats or oil provides vital hydration elements to the shave soap. The increased lubrication allows for a smoother blade glide, reducing skin irritation, nicks, and cuts. Content levels should be 30-50% of the shave soap.

Milled: How a shave soap is produced has a major impact on the quality of the soap. Quality shaving soaps are often double or triple-milled to produce a creamer foam that improves lather and lubrication.

Lather: One of the most important reasons users choose shaving soaps over other types of shaving products is the ability to achieve a rich lather. Shaving soaps that can provide a rich lather without using an abundance of sulfates is preferable.

Load: A quality shave soap will load easily; this refers to how the lather is gathered by the shaving brush. Softer soaps will load easier than harder soaps. The load can also be affected by water content during lathering.

Cushion and Slickness: Although there is a slight difference between these two elements, they both involve the way a shaving soap helps the razor glide across the skin for a smooth, close shave while preventing razor burn, cuts, and other skin irritations.

The cushion is the pillowing effect the soap has between the razor and the skin surface, while slickness refers to the decrease in friction between the razor and skin. Both are important for achieving a quality shave.

1.PRORASO EUCALYPTUS & MENTHOL REFRESH SHAVING SOAP 150ML

When what you want in a shaving soap is the same high-quality shave you can find from the traditional barbershop, then Proraso’s Shaving Soap in a Boal will definitely meet your needs. This shaving soap has been the choice of professional barbers since 1948. The coconut oil-based soap contains over 95% all-natural ingredients, including refreshing menthol and soothing eucalyptus.

This soap is produced using a ‘hot soap’ method which produces a dense, hard soap, no paying for water content here. You also won’t have to worry about any harsh ingredients such as parabens or silicones. This soap is made in Italy and contains no animal byproducts.

2. COL. CONK BAY RUM SHAVING SOAP 100G

Switching from an electric razor or a gel to a proper wet shave isn’t easy if you’ve never had to work up a good lather. Luckily for you, Col. Conk’s Bay Rum-scented shaving soap makes the transition pretty easy and according to multiple reviews, it’s pretty easy to work into a lather. If that weren’t enough to convince you, Col. Conk’s also includes avocado oil and vitamin E.

3. TAYLOR OF OLD BOND STREET SANDALWOOD SHAVING SOAP IN WOODEN BOWL 100G

One of the more lavish options out there, this beloved international staple comes available in numerous exotic scents, with sandalwood remaining the coveted top pick. Its masculine, woodsy spice is delicate, where as the soap’s rich ingredients (glycerin, palm oil) keep your sheath from drying out quickly. Pricey? Guess you can say so. But on the other hand, the fact that it comes bundled with a signature Taylor Wooden Bowl makes investing in refills even more rewarding.

4. MITCHELL'S WOOL FAT SHAVING SOAP REFILL 125G

England’s finest batch of shaving suds is composed of natural ingredients and the lanolin found in wool fat, which was discovered to have kept hands of local sheep shearers and wool handlers incredibly soft over a century ago. A rich lather is to be expected, only requiring a small amount to preserve for long-term use and support more shaving room for your razor to get busy. Dermatologists live by it. You might want to do the same.

5. GEO F TRUMPER ALMOND SHAVING SOAP IN BOWL 80G

Dry skin victims needing that extra moisturization can find it with this glycerin, vegetable-based cleanser. Once applied onto the skin, users can breathe in its earthy nut fragrance, while enjoying some of the beneficial attributes of almond oil as non-inflammation and skin regeneration. It’s also been glorified for providing blades a fine glide and its day-to-night use. Don’t hesitate to refill the specially crafted wooden bowl (sold separately) to maintain the soap’s nourishing ingredients.

6. IMPERIAL GLYCERIN SHAVE SOAP (PUCK)

We’re all about old-school moves that add a bit of a premium air to your shaving experience — after all, if you’re going to shave every day, shouldn’t you be able to enjoy it rather than dread it? Among the best men’s shaving soaps, products like the Imperial Glycerine Shave Soap fit the bill rather nicely blending an accessible price with high quality. It’s now available in a handy, easy-to-store puck size, all the better to make it easy to start off your wet shave. It’s also infused with Vitamin E, safflower, palm & coconut oils.

7. PRORASO GREEN TEA & OATMEAL SENSITIVE SHAVING SOAP 150ML

Proraso is a 5.2 OZ shaving soap which comes with an attractive bowl. This soap is formulated specifically for sensitive skin by providing a creamy lather which prepares your skin for a close and clean shave. Ingredients like green tea and oatmeal prevent razor burns and inflammation for a sensitive skin. It also has a fresh scent with hints of apple and lime. This soap has been around for many years and all natural formulations have been maintained. These include botanical extracts and oils which nourish and protect your skin accordingly. There are no artificial colors, parabens, silicons or mineral oils.

8. TABAC SHAVING SOAP IN BOWL 125G

Last but not least, we’ve got the Tabac Original shaving soap. Another European brand, and this time, from Germany.

I got this shaving soap after I read some really raving reviews on shaving forums. All of them praising the outstanding wet shaving experience this product gives you.

It’s not the first time that I’m trying the particular brand. In fact, Tabac Original was one of the first brands that I used when I started shaving and more particularly, it was their aftershave.

Speaking of the aftershave, this shaving soap reminds me the exact same masculine and classy scent.

I’m not the best in describing scents but if I’m not wrong, the particular soap smells floral and very old fashioned. Almost like a man’s dresser. It’s very particular and strong smell and many guys might not appreciate it.

In any case, I would definitely recommend trying it out for once.

Now, the soap has a hard texture. Even so, both soft and hard shaving brushes are loaded quicker than you would expect.

This is also one feature that makes this shaving soap a must have. You don’t need to hit the sweet spot of right amount of water and soap to have great results as it happens with many other competitive products.

The lather that you produce with a small amount of water is fairly rich. Though I wouldn’t call it luxurious like the D. R. Harris & Co.. Nonetheless, it still provides a great cushioning and it doesn’t dry up quickly.

After you’re done applying the lather on the face, you notice the exceptional lubrication. And if you ask me, this is what makes this soap one of the best you’ll ever try. You can and you will enjoy a comfortable and stress-free shave.

Even though we’re not talking about the cheapest shaving soap you can get, it certainly delivers great value for money. The puck is larger than most brands out there.

In my opinion, it’s one of the top shaving soaps a man can get that doesn’t come with the price tag of premium British shaving soaps.

Let me explain this in a better way.

• Money- not such a big investment, especially if you think that you can get some good months of daily shaving.
• Quality- it’s the combination of rich and thick lather with the amazing slickness that makes you forget how much you paid for it.
• Value- You get a great product that is going to be with you for a while. How long? maybe between 7 and 10 months before you consider getting one again.

Should you buy this soap then? I believe I made my point clear.