Shaving Soap vs. Shaving Cream

Both products can make excellent lather. The difference is largely in how they're formulated, how they feel in the jar and how you prefer to use them. A shaving soap is usually firmer, while a shaving cream is softer and typically easier to load.

Shaving soap

Traditional shaving soaps are made to produce a stable lather with a brush and water. Good soaps can take on substantial water while maintaining cushion and slickness. How much product you use depends on the formula, brush and shaving habits.

Our Ultima 2 shaving soap is tallow-based and formulated for dense, hydrated lather, glide and residual slickness.

Shaving cream

Shaving creams vary widely. Some are very soft and can be applied by hand. Others, including our firmer croap-style cream, work particularly well when loaded with a brush. The important thing is how the cream behaves when you add water, not simply how soft it feels in the container.

Our Ariana & Evans shaving cream comes in a 6 oz glass jar. It is a different formulation from our shaving soaps and offers a lower entry price.

Which lasts longer?

There is no universal answer. You may need less of one formula than another, and your loading technique makes a difference. Price per ounce alone is not the same as cost per shave.

Which is better for sensitive skin?

Neither soap nor cream is automatically better for everyone. Fragrance and individual ingredients can cause sensitivities, whether they're natural or synthetic. If you know you react to a material, check the ingredient list and choose accordingly.

Which should you choose?

Choose shaving soap if you like a firmer product and the traditional process of loading a brush. Choose cream if you prefer a softer product or want a lower initial price. Both can provide the cushion and glide needed for a comfortable shave when formulated and lathered well.

For a closer look at our formulas and the role of individual ingredients, see The Soap Lab.