Best wet shave soap for sensitive skin?

December 16, 2009 6:14 AM

MenShavingFilter: what is the best soap I can use for a wet shave given that I have very sensitive skin? Preferably available in a store in Montreal, but at least available to order online for delivery to Montreal.

No further explanation seems necessary other than to say that I have read through a number of threads on this topic and it's probably made me a little more confused than anything (so, with all due respect, please don't link to previous threads on similar topics). When I don't wet shave I'm a big fan of the King of Shaves line - both because it seems great for my skin and because I can actually see my face, rather than suds, when I'm shaving.

posted by HopStopDon'tShop to Shopping (25 answers total)

This is approximately what I use, which doesn't bother my skin. It lathers moderately with a brush. I only do half at a time, so that doesn't matter to me.

In browsing Amazon, I saw this soap which is glycerin based and may be less irritating than traditional soaps.

As a final note, soap for shaving is essentially lubrication first and fragrance second. You can use any soap that doesn't irritate your skin.
posted by plinth at 6:29 AM on December 16, 2009

Have you tried shaving oils rather than soaps? I know that's not specifically answering your question, but I have sensitive skin and oils are the only things that don't give me sore, blotchy skin for days after a wet shave. I've never found a soap that I didn't regret using.
posted by le morte de bea arthur at 6:31 AM on December 16, 2009

Ask the folks at Fendrihan; they're helpful, and their shipping is great.
posted by scruss at 6:32 AM on December 16, 2009

A male friend swears by Kiehl's shaving line and he too has sensitive skin. He goes to their retail stores or Nordstrom here in the states. If you happen to find a Kiehl's counter or store in your area, ask for samples of their shaving line. The associates are very generous with them and will be glad to let you try anything in sample form before you buy. Good luck. :)
posted by Cookbooks and Chaos at 6:33 AM on December 16, 2009

I've had good results with the Proraso shave soaps. I get them at Shopper's Drug Mart in Ontario so Pharmaprix should carry them. They carry two types: white for sensitive skin (contains aloe and white tea or something) and green for miscellaneous (contains menthol that won't be friendly for your sensitive skin).

That's just what works for me, though. One reason that all the threads on this topic (even on dedicated shaving forums) are so conflicted is that there are a lot of variable that go into selecting a product like this, so it largely comes down to personal experimentation.

If you decide to experiment away from the drug store shelves, I recommend Fendrihan for online shaving supply ordering. Their prices are decent and they ship from within Canada very quickly.
posted by reegmo at 6:34 AM on December 16, 2009

I have the exact Col. Conk glycerin-based soap plinth linked to, and while it was definitely better than many soaps I've tried, it still dried out my skin significantly. But these things are so individual in my experience that you really have to just try a ton of things.
posted by le morte de bea arthur at 6:35 AM on December 16, 2009

I can't speak highly enough of Kiehl's products.. well worth the premium I think. Of this list here I've used both the "White Eagle" and "Lite Flight" (the latter with a brush) and they're both great.

You can order online or just go the Kiehl's in Montreal at 760 St Catherine W. They have samples available if you want to try first.
posted by modernnomad at 6:51 AM on December 16, 2009

I hope you will tolerate my suggesting a different approach. I have sensitive skin which tends to get very dry if soaped and shaved. I use a cream face wash for sensitive skin in the shower, washing it off as normal, then shaving in the shower. This means I never get dry skin. it does require I shave without a mirror but I do not find this difficult.
posted by biffa at 6:57 AM on December 16, 2009

I've been using Shikai shower gel to shave with, and it's worked well for me. It's not a "conventional" soap formula. YMMV.
posted by Citrus at 7:03 AM on December 16, 2009

Seconding Kiehl's shaving creams. But they are quite pricey.

Shaving oils won't upset your skin in the sense of irritating it (although if you have oily skin it may not like it), but shaving with them is an acquired taste the recommended two or three drops has always seemed inadequate to me.
posted by MuffinMan at 7:28 AM on December 16, 2009

Following a post on Shaveblog, I've recently been experimenting with a block of French 72% olive oil soap in combination with my brush and safety razor. Excellent results, it takes a while to get the lather right, but the moisturizing effect is amazing. Should be available in any higher end household store in Montreal, I bought mine for $8 for 500g.

Other creams I'd recommend are Cremo Cream (non-foaming, $8-10) which is so good that I always keep a tube in stock, Nancy Boy Shaving cream (foaming, $18), love the signature scent. Also recommend the Proraso and Taylor's lines. I've tried the Kiehl's brushless shave cream (non-foaming, $16) and whilst it's effective, it's not as enjoyable a shave for me as the others I've mentioned.

If you're not using a brush, then I'd suggest you get one and try it out. Moving from Mach XX to a safety razor about 4 years ago made the real difference in my sensitive skin shaving experience.
posted by arcticseal at 7:31 AM on December 16, 2009

I've had good luck with glycerin based soaps from Etsy.
posted by craven_morhead at 7:48 AM on December 16, 2009

I also use Kiehl's.
posted by You Should See the Other Guy at 7:55 AM on December 16, 2009

My husband uses the glycerin soap mentioned above, Colonel Conk's (bay rum), and loves it. He uses a badger brush and follows up a shave with some aftershave/moisturizer, which has really added to his experience.

He's started using a light oil for moisturizing and says it's the best thing he's ever done. Apply it while still steamy, massage it in (optional), then towel it off.
posted by bookdragoness at 7:58 AM on December 16, 2009

Forget wet shaving - been there done that. No, the old razors are not better than the new ones. My grandfather can attest to this. He has told me that modern shaving is unequivocally superior to the wet shaving method.

I am a white person, but I have extremely coarse hair. A lot of AA's have this problem too. I bought a few high quality wet shaving implements. I learned the techniques. Shaving ate way too much time in my busy schedule. Plus, it often still didn't take care of the painful razor burn.

So I found this product called "Shave Secret" at Wal-Mart - it works great! I have been using it for about a year now. I recommended it to my dad too - and now we both use it. This is basically an oil that you rub into your skin, and that causes the razor (a regular disposable!) to glide very smoothly over your chin. Use it. Its great.
posted by verapamil at 8:24 AM on December 16, 2009

I use a moisturizing face lotion to shave with. Cetaphil, I think. Why wait until you're done shaving to moisturize?
posted by I'm Doing the Dishes at 8:38 AM on December 16, 2009

I'm going to second le morte de bea arthur, a shaving oil is a must! What happens is, the oil stays on as a thin film (under the shaving cream), so that the blade glides on your skin. It's a little more forgiving. I've tried this one by Truefitt and Hill and love it. I went into a local men's grooming place and asked for a sample. It really changed the way that I shave.
posted by aeighty at 9:10 AM on December 16, 2009

I just use a dab of shampoo. I find soaps and creams clog the blades and are too rich for my skin.
posted by bonobothegreat at 9:30 AM on December 16, 2009

In September I picked up, on a whim, a shaving soap from Tval on Queen St in Toronto. It is the most awesome thing I've ever shaved with, and I have really sensitive skin. The scent is barely noticeable.

I only shave 2-3 times/week, but I've had it for 3 months and it looks like I've barely used it - it will easily last me another 3 months. For $6 it's a bargain.

A light rub on a wet face provides plenty of soap to be spread around and provide a very smooth shave, and while it produces a lovely rich soap, it's not a thick lather so I can see my face while shaving. I don't feel the need for calming/moisturising aftershave which I normally do with shave gels etc.

It looks like it can be ordered online here which makes me happy as I'll need another one when my existing one eventually runs out.

If you're ordering other products to make the shipping worthwhile, my wife liked the 'bath treats'. However, the shampoo was the total opposite of the shaving soap - it only lasted a few days before dissolving into complete mush.
posted by valleys at 10:32 AM on December 16, 2009

Proraso, on sensitive skin, will send you through the roof: it's menthol-tastic! (Even the milder red stuff may be too much for you.) Have you tried a better, sharper blade? Dulled blades are savage.

Also, how about a tallow soap? I am partial to Mitchell's Wool Fat soap.

There are a lot of Canadians at the shavemyface.com forums, and you will get a friendly reception there as a n00b -- and, likely, the quesiton is already in their archives.
posted by wenestvedt at 10:44 AM on December 16, 2009

I confidently second the vote for Kiehls. I use Kiehl's White Eagle brushless shaving cream. It has a pleasant scent and is cooling after the shave.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/16/opinion/16greenberg.html?em
posted by ghostpony at 11:02 AM on December 16, 2009

Sorry, wrong link.
http://www.kiehls.com/_us/_en/men/shave/ultimate-brushless-shave-cream---white-eagle.htm
posted by ghostpony at 11:03 AM on December 16, 2009

LUSH Prince Shaving Cream is not a soap, so it takes a bit of getting used to. I bought it for my boyfriend, he thought he didn't like it, then a year or two later he bought one for himself and used it all the time. You don't need to glop it on, and the best way to rinse your razor is in a sink of hot water rather than under the faucet. It's really, really nice for sensitive skin, and it doesn't hurt to leave it on for five minutes beforehand to really soften everything. The scent is extremely mild, and doesn't linger on your skin.

LUSH will let you return things you hate. They also sometimes have samples in the store.
posted by oneirodynia at 12:16 PM on December 16, 2009

Oh, and I linked to LUSH USA, but they have stores in Montreal and the products are actually a little cheaper. Unfortunately, they are a lot more than they used to be- however the Prince Shaving Cream doesn't take much and lasts longer than you would expect.
posted by oneirodynia at 12:19 PM on December 16, 2009

I use Tea Tree oil (bar) soap, from Soap Works. I can get this locally in Ottawa: it's widely available at health food and bulk (bag-you-own) food stores. It costs much less than specialty shaving soaps, less than $2/bar. The tea tree oil seems to reduces facial infections (pimples, infected ingrown hairs) and it makes great lather.
posted by bonehead at 12:24 PM on December 16, 2009