Shaving Lubricants and Lathers Buying Guide
Razor? 
Check. Long, unruly whiskers? Check. Something's missing. Ah, yes, the shaving cream. No shave is complete without it, and there is a lot more to shaving creams than what comes out of a can. Many creams are specialized for certain types of skin and come in a variety of scents to give you the ultimate shaving experience. To learn about everything from creams to gels, shaving soaps and even oils, read on.
Tips
- Know your skin. A crucial yet often overlooked step in choosing which type of lather you need is matching it to your skin type. See below for more information.
- Don't blow your budget. Shaving cream shouldn't cost an arm and a leg. However, there may be times when you might want to invest in something really nice, just to treat your skin once in awhile--go for it!
- Be versatile. There are so many brands and types to choose from, so don't feel like you have to stick to only one. Take advantage of sampling and testing different brands if you travel often. Travel size shaving creams let you sample without spending too much.
Match Your Skin Type
Dry Skin
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- Is your skin dry or rough with flaking, scales or peeling? Does it get itchy or feel tight after washing it? People with dry skin need as much extra moisture as they can get.
- Look for products with aloe vera, silicone, oils (jojoba, coconut, sunflower, olive), butters (cocoa, shea ) and vitamins (A, E and beta-carotene).
- Alcohol-free lathers and those without sodium laureth sulfate (often organic shaving lathers) are great options.
- Never buy lathers that contain menthol or "cooling agents", as they can dry the skin.
- It's a good idea to use pre-shave oils on dry skin to help moisturize.
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Sensitive Skin
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- If you have sensitive skin, you probably know it. It gets red, inflamed, itchy, dry, or breaks out without warning. You also get razor burn, bumps, and ingrown hairs more easily than others. Most products irritate it, especially those with fragrances and harsh cleansers such as sodium laureth sulfate.
- You might want to try shaving powders if you frequently get ingrown hairs.
- Avoid lathers that list alcohol as one of the main ingredients (top three or four), or have menthol, camphor, peppermint oil, or fragrance.
- You may enjoy the soothing effects of aloe or other moisturizers as mentioned above for dry skin. Organic and natural products are also an excellent choice.
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Oily Skin
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- Do you feel greasy around your t-zone (forehead, chin, nose) but normal to dry everywhere else? Sounds like combination skin. You could benefit from a variety of lathers.
- Avoid too much "moisture," especially any lathers that contain butters, oils, or petroleum derivatives that will just add to the oils on your skin.
- Be sure not to over-dry your face with harsh products. By going too dry and thinking that alcohol will clear up the grease, you will only irritate the skin and cause it to produce oil in excess to compensate for the dryness.
- Shave soap might be an option to try if you have used creams and foams before and they clog your pores.
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Acne-Prone Skin
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- Do you break out often? Does shaving cause more irritation?
- Triclosan and other antibacterials will help kill acne-causing bacteria, so look for medicated shave creams.
- Bentonite (a clay derivative) can help dry out blemishes and benzoyl peroxide formulas can help an active blemish from getting any worse.
- Foams and creams are the best options.
- Avoid shave oils as they can clog pores.
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Lather Types
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Pre-Shave Oil
Shaving oils can be used both prior to shaving and by themselves, although it's hard to see where you've applied them, which might cause you to miss spots. They help moisturize and give a less irritating shave by protecting the skin from getting nicks and cuts. Comparable to baby oil.
Recommendations:
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Shave Cream
The old-school style shave creams that come in a tub container or tube instead of an aerosol can are comparable to lotions. They usually don't foam up, which allows you to see the surface that you are shaving. They are also great for dry skin. Most creams in a can are of the foaming variety.
Recommendations:
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Shave Gel
Shave gel typically comes out of the can and foams once you rub it in your hands. The problem with foams is that they may not be the best for moisturizing, and some lose their foam quicker than others. On the other hand, they do provide decent lubrication and are inexpensive.
Recommendations:
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Shave Soap
Shave soap is reminiscent of the old, proper way of wet shaving with a safety razor and badger brush. It creates a slick, slippery foam, which is good for lubricating the skin, plus it is inexpensive and more environmentally friendly than other shaving lubricants. It typically has a glycerin base.
Recommendations:
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