Artisan Shaving Soap vs. Shaving Gel

Shaving soap and shaving gel can both help a razor move across the skin, but they work differently. A traditional shaving soap is loaded with a brush and mixed with water to make lather. Most gels are applied directly and are designed for convenience. Neither product category guarantees a better shave on its own.

What makes a good shaving soap?

Shaving soap should build a stable, hydrated lather that offers cushion and smooth razor glide. The balance of fatty acids, emollients and other ingredients matters as much as any single material. Good lather should stay creamy as you add water rather than turning thin or collapsing.

At Ariana & Evans, we formulate Ultima 2 shaving soap with particular attention to cushion, glide, residual slickness and how the skin feels after rinsing. Our Soap Lab explains these choices in more detail.

What makes shaving gel different?

Gels are commonly applied without a brush. Some are transparent, which helps when shaving around a beard line. Their texture and ingredients vary from product to product, so it's worth reading the label and judging the result rather than assuming every gel behaves the same way.

Which should you use?

• Choose shaving soap if you enjoy using a brush, adjusting the water in your lather and taking a little more time over the shave.
• Choose gel if you prefer to apply a product directly or need to see the area underneath.

Getting better results

Whatever you use, soften the beard with warm water, shave with a light touch and avoid repeatedly passing over dry skin. With shaving soap, give the lather enough water and work it until it becomes smooth and stable. The right technique makes as much difference as the product.

For more on the ingredients and performance characteristics of artisan shaving soap, read The Soap Lab.