Shaving soap
Encyclopedia
Shaving soap typically refers to a hard soap
that is whipped into a lather using a shaving brush. The lather it produces is used to coat the face during shaving
, providing protection and lubrication for the razor
. Among most wet shavers, shaving soap has largely been displaced by canned shaving foam or gel, but hard shaving soaps have a following among shaving traditionalists.
rather than a scuttle) has been produced since 1840, and a US patent for a shaving scuttle for use with a hard soap was granted in 1867.
Shaving sticks (shaving soap formed into a cylinder) have existed at least since the mid-19th century.
. High-end soaps may be sold with their own dishes, typically made of either wood or ceramic, and be formed to fit the dish the puck is sold with. Shaving soap may also be formed in a stick, sold either in a plastic tube or wrapped in foil or paper. Shaving soap is more rarely sold as rectangular bars (as is common with body soap).
Shaving sticks are typically used by rubbing the exposed end of the stick across the shaver's face, coating the face with soap. The soap is then lathered with a moistened brush. Owing to their compact form and ease of use, shaving sticks are popular for use while traveling.
and sodium hydroxide are used as saponification
agents rather than just sodium hydroxide alone. Traditionally, tallow
has been a popular ingredient in shaving soaps and is still in use in some traditional products. Other oils such as coconut oil
, palm oil
, and olive oil
are often used in shaving soap, but such oils are thought among shaving traditionalists to often produce an inferior product. In addition, compared to aerosol shaving cream in a can, shaving soaps are not limited by TSA carry-on luggage rules and they are not propelled out by a petro-chemical.
With the controversy over parabens
, many soap-makers have started using other preservatives and advertising their soaps as paraben-free.
and other airport security agencies as permitted in carry-on luggage
. There is furthermore little risk of accidental discharge of the product during transport.
After oil is removed from the whiskers by the shaving soap and brush, water can more easily penetrate the whiskers. This results in whiskers being more easily cut than when using aerosol and other shaving creams not using soap and the abrasive action seen with the use of shaving soap and brush.
The principal disadvantages of shaving soap is lack of convenience and space. Creating the lather and preparing the face is more time consuming than most shaving creams. In addition, use of a shaving mug and optionally a lather bowl, consumes more space than most shaving creams.
Shaving soaps typically cost more initially, when the shaving mug and soap is purchased. These costs can be significantly reduced by using mugs and bowls found in the kitchen, or purchased for a small amount at resale stores.
Even though shaving soaps may cost more initially when buying the soap and equipment, over a longer period of time, shaving soaps are comparable in cost, or even cheaper than many shaving creams.
Soap
In chemistry, soap is a salt of a fatty acid.IUPAC. "" Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 2nd ed. . Compiled by A. D. McNaught and A. Wilkinson. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford . XML on-line corrected version: created by M. Nic, J. Jirat, B. Kosata; updates compiled by A. Jenkins. ISBN...
that is whipped into a lather using a shaving brush. The lather it produces is used to coat the face during shaving
Shaving
Shaving is the removal of hair, by using a razor or any other kind of bladed implement, to slice it down to the level of the skin. Shaving is most commonly practiced by men to remove their facial hair and by women to remove their leg and underarm hair...
, providing protection and lubrication for the razor
Razor
A razor is a bladed tool primarily used in the removal of unwanted body hair through the act of shaving. Kinds of razors include straight razors, disposable razors and electric razors....
. Among most wet shavers, shaving soap has largely been displaced by canned shaving foam or gel, but hard shaving soaps have a following among shaving traditionalists.
History
Hard shaving soaps in their modern form have existed since at least the early 19th century. Williams (a common American shaving soap intended for use in a mugMug
A mug is a sturdily built type of cup often used for drinking hot beverages, such as coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. Mugs, by definition, have handles and often hold a larger amount of fluid than other types of cup. Usually a mug holds approximately 12 fluid ounces of liquid; double a tea cup...
rather than a scuttle) has been produced since 1840, and a US patent for a shaving scuttle for use with a hard soap was granted in 1867.
Shaving sticks (shaving soap formed into a cylinder) have existed at least since the mid-19th century.
Appearance
Traditional shaving soap is often sold as a round puck, either with a rounded bottom intended for use in a shaving scuttle or a flat bottom for use in a mugMug
A mug is a sturdily built type of cup often used for drinking hot beverages, such as coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. Mugs, by definition, have handles and often hold a larger amount of fluid than other types of cup. Usually a mug holds approximately 12 fluid ounces of liquid; double a tea cup...
. High-end soaps may be sold with their own dishes, typically made of either wood or ceramic, and be formed to fit the dish the puck is sold with. Shaving soap may also be formed in a stick, sold either in a plastic tube or wrapped in foil or paper. Shaving soap is more rarely sold as rectangular bars (as is common with body soap).
Use
A hard shaving soap is used with a shaving brush to create lather for shaving. For soap in the form of a puck or bar, the brush is first soaked in water and then swirled vigorously over the surface of the soap, causing moist soap to coat the brush's bristles. The brush is then transferred either to a separate bowl or to the shaver's face to be lathered.Shaving sticks are typically used by rubbing the exposed end of the stick across the shaver's face, coating the face with soap. The soap is then lathered with a moistened brush. Owing to their compact form and ease of use, shaving sticks are popular for use while traveling.
Ingredients
A shaving soap is produced like a traditional soap with an ingredient selection oriented to producing a stable, slick lather. Its manufacture differs slightly from normal bath soap in that both potassium hydroxidePotassium hydroxide
Potassium hydroxide is an inorganic compound with the formula KOH, commonly called caustic potash.Along with sodium hydroxide , this colorless solid is a prototypical strong base. It has many industrial and niche applications. Most applications exploit its reactivity toward acids and its corrosive...
and sodium hydroxide are used as saponification
Saponification
Saponification is a process that produces soap, usually from fats and lye. In technical terms, saponification involves base hydrolysis of triglycerides, which are esters of fatty acids, to form the sodium salt of a carboxylate. In addition to soap, such traditional saponification processes...
agents rather than just sodium hydroxide alone. Traditionally, tallow
Tallow
Tallow is a rendered form of beef or mutton fat, processed from suet. It is solid at room temperature. Unlike suet, tallow can be stored for extended periods without the need for refrigeration to prevent decomposition, provided it is kept in an airtight container to prevent oxidation.In industry,...
has been a popular ingredient in shaving soaps and is still in use in some traditional products. Other oils such as coconut oil
Coconut oil
Coconut oil is an edible oil extracted from the kernel or meat of matured coconuts harvested from the coconut palm . Throughout the tropical world, it has provided the primary source of fat in the diets of millions of people for generations. It has various applications in food, medicine, and industry...
, palm oil
Palm oil
Palm oil, coconut oil and palm kernel oil are edible plant oils derived from the fruits of palm trees. Palm oil is extracted from the pulp of the fruit of the oil palm Elaeis guineensis; palm kernel oil is derived from the kernel of the oil palm and coconut oil is derived from the kernel of the...
, and olive oil
Olive oil
Olive oil is an oil obtained from the olive , a traditional tree crop of the Mediterranean Basin. It is commonly used in cooking, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and soaps and as a fuel for traditional oil lamps...
are often used in shaving soap, but such oils are thought among shaving traditionalists to often produce an inferior product. In addition, compared to aerosol shaving cream in a can, shaving soaps are not limited by TSA carry-on luggage rules and they are not propelled out by a petro-chemical.
With the controversy over parabens
Parabens
Parabens are a class of chemicals widely used as preservatives in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. Parabens are effective preservatives in many types of formulas. These compounds, and their salts, are used primarily for their bactericidal and fungicidal properties...
, many soap-makers have started using other preservatives and advertising their soaps as paraben-free.
Advantages and Disadvantages
The primary advantages of shaving soap over aerosol shaving creams is the additional hydration provided by shaving soaps. For optimal softening of whiskers, the natural oils on the face and whiskers must be removed. This is done effectively by shaving soap because of the oil removing soap ingredients, and the scrubbing action of the brush. Shaving soaps are also approved by the Transportation Security AdministrationTransportation Security Administration
The Transportation Security Administration is an agency of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that exercises authority over the safety and security of the traveling public in the United States....
and other airport security agencies as permitted in carry-on luggage
Hand luggage
Hand luggage or cabin baggage is the type of luggage that passengers are allowed to carry along in the passenger compartment of a vehicle instead of moving to the cargo compartment...
. There is furthermore little risk of accidental discharge of the product during transport.
After oil is removed from the whiskers by the shaving soap and brush, water can more easily penetrate the whiskers. This results in whiskers being more easily cut than when using aerosol and other shaving creams not using soap and the abrasive action seen with the use of shaving soap and brush.
The principal disadvantages of shaving soap is lack of convenience and space. Creating the lather and preparing the face is more time consuming than most shaving creams. In addition, use of a shaving mug and optionally a lather bowl, consumes more space than most shaving creams.
Shaving soaps typically cost more initially, when the shaving mug and soap is purchased. These costs can be significantly reduced by using mugs and bowls found in the kitchen, or purchased for a small amount at resale stores.
Even though shaving soaps may cost more initially when buying the soap and equipment, over a longer period of time, shaving soaps are comparable in cost, or even cheaper than many shaving creams.