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Getting a great wet shave involves the perfect lathering soap. While there are a ton of shaving creams and gels available, shaving soap is specially made to produce a lather that is rich, thick, and slippery for the ultimate moisturizing and protected shaving experience.
Below are some of the highest-rated shaving soaps in 2024 that produce the kind of lather needed to allow your razor to glide seamlessly over the skin. These shave soaps fit in most shaving bowls and mugs, all require the use of water (some more so than others) and a quality shaving brush.
Also included are options with minimal and all-natural ingredients, making them soothing to the skin while aiding in eliminating razor bumps and shaving irritation. One of our shave soaps even uses a decades-old process that results in a more concentrated, richer soap for an amazing lather.
Detailing Our Favorite Shaving Soap in 2024
Lather & Wood Shaving Soap — Best Overall
Perfect with your favorite shaving brush and safety razor, this large shave soap will provide day after day of wet shaving satisfaction. This soap boasts ingredients such as moisturizing shea butter and produces an amazing, dense slippery lather to help eliminate razor bumps and shaving irritation. This soap also has a slight sandalwood scent that provides an earthy, natural fragrance that is not too strong and subtly lingers a while after your shave.
Pros
- This soap pairs perfectly with their similar scented pre-shave oil and aftershave balm
Cons
- If you prefer less or unscented items, another option might be better
Viking Revolution Shaving Soap — Best Size
This compact shave soap pack is a great option if you're hoping to squeeze an enhanced wet shave into a rushed morning routine. As an all-in-one bar soap and shave soap, it is extremely convenient for traveling. Made with sea salt, glycerin, and essential oils, it effectively cleanses and detoxifies the skin, as well as lubricates and softens facial hair. Since it is scented with natural oils, it may be an excellent shaving soap for individuals with sensitive skin. There are no artificial components or perfumes, and the mix pack allows you the opportunity to experiment with a wide range of diverse aromas.
Pros
- Compact size packing is ideal for traveling
- Four different scents to suit your mood
- 100 % natural composition delivers maxim results
Cons
- Does not include a shaving bowl
Proraso Shaving Soap In A Bowl — Honorable Mention
This shaving soap in a bowl is made following a rigorous “hot soap” making process which allows most of the moisture to evaporate resulting in a concentrated richer soap that produces an amazing lather. This rich and thick lathering soap also contains eucalyptus to purify and tone and menthol which adds a refreshing, cooling sensation.
Pros
- This soap has no parabens, silicones, or mineral oil
Cons
- This soap takes a bit more water in order to achieve the perfect lather
Van Der Hagen Soap — Contender
This luxury shaving soap packs mango, shea, and cocoa butter for a smooth, moisturizing, nourishing shave and soft skin. Great for all skin types, this soap will give you a close, smooth, and irritation-free shave while providing a layer of protection for your face during shaving. This soap is also lightly scented with a fragrance that will last throughout the day.
Pros
- This soap is hypoallergenic and can double as a bath soap for the shower
Cons
- This soap is not packed in eco-friendly packaging
Col. Conk Shave Soap — Most Notable
This shave soap is slightly different than our other options as it is glycerin-based and fortified with vitamin D. It is generous in size, will last a long time, and will fit in most shaving mugs and bowls. This soap is also ideal for all skin types and when used with a proper shaving brush, lathers up fast and smooth.
Pros
- This soap melts fast and easy
Cons
- The fragrance may not last all-day
Henry Cavendish Soap — Also Consider
This round shaving soap uses moisturizing shea butter to replenish and revitalize dull skin while a high glycerin content contributes to its extreme mildness and luxe, silky lather. Larger in size than your average shave soap, this one will last about 3-6 months, will fit in any size shaving mug, and has a light, refreshing scent.
Pros
- This soap will leave your skin nicely moisturized and never feeling oily
Cons
- There is no fragrance-free option
Williams Mug Soap — Another Option
This shaving soap is known for its slick, cushiony lather that is ideal for an easy and accurate shave. The moisturizing lather is specially formulated so it won’t dry on the face, leaving skin soft and smooth. This soap fits easily in most standard shaving mugs and should last 2-3 months with daily shaving.
Pros
- This shaving soap has a slight, subtle scent
Cons
- This soap may be smaller than expected
Buyer’s Guide: Shaving Soaps
Shaving soaps have started gaining popularity again, especially among those with dry skin. This is because they have some advantages over the more common shaving gels and creams. Though easier to use, they cannot replace shaving soaps in their ability to provide a comfortable shave due to the luxurious lather they produce.
What Are the Benefits of Using a Shaving Soap?
Using a shaving soap instead of a cream or gel can have long-term effects on your skin. Firstly, the lather produced by soap helps to soften your beard, which makes it easier for the razor to cut it more easily and close to the skin. This means that you will experience a more comfortable shave, and the hair will grow back after a long time as compared to shaving using a cream. Traditional shaving soaps usually contain natural ingredients and are free from harmful chemicals that are present in shaving creams and gels. Also, you can find tons of fragrance options, most of which are not available in shaving creams. The lather produced provides a very smooth surface, allowing the razor to glide easily with lower chances of cuts and razor bumps. The natural ingredients are gentle on the skin, so shaving soaps are ideal for you if you have sensitive skin. Lastly, a shaving soap lasts for months, which is much longer than regular shaving cream, so they are more economical as well in the long run.
How to Use a Shaving Soap?
If you are new to the shaving soap world and wondering how to actually use one, we have got you covered. The trick is to know how to make a lather of the perfect consistency, and this may require a little practice and getting used to. The first thing you need to do is soak your shaving brush in hot water for about two minutes. This will help the brush absorb water, which will, in turn, help to produce lather. Now, wet the shaving soap a little bit, and shake off any excess water from the brush. Start rubbing your brush onto the shaving soap in circular motions to start forming lather. You will need to do this for about two minutes to get enough soap absorbed into the brush.
Next, you will need a shaving bowl to build the thin lather that just formed after rubbing the brush directly onto the soap. Keep doing this for a minute, or until the consistency of the lather stops changing. At this point, you will need to check the consistency. If it is too stiff, you will need to add more water, and if it is too runny, you will need more soap. Usually, a texture that is similar to whisked egg whites is the ideal consistency. It may take you two or three tries to achieve the right consistency. Once you are satisfied with the consistency, start scrubbing the brush in circular motions onto your face and neck. This motion will not only help exfoliate your skin, but it will also soften the beard, making it easier for the razor to glide. Once your face is covered completely, even out the lather and begin shaving with your razor as usual.
What Are the Different Types of Shaving Soaps?
Shaving soaps come in three main types, namely triple-milled, croap, and semi-hard. We have discussed each type one by one.
Triple-milled
Triple-milled shaving soap is made using a specific procedure. The final product with all the ingredients is grated, and then it is melted completely, and then pressed into the shape of a bar. This process reduces the amount of water in the mix, which means that it is more concentrated and of better quality. Also, this procedure hardens the soap, which means that it will last longer than softer ones.
Croap
Croap is a softer shaving soap as compared to triple-milled. The term ‘croap’ comes from a mixture of the words creamy and soap. This kind of soap has more moisture than others, which makes it softer. Also, it is extremely moisturizing, which makes it ideal for people with dry and sensitive skin. If triple-milled soaps are too harsh on your skin, you should consider getting a croap.
Semi-hard
A semi-hard soap is one that falls between triple-milled and croap. It is perfect for those with combination skin because it is not too harsh, but concentrated enough for semi-oily skin. On the other hand, it is not too soft, but moisturizing enough to be used on semi-dry skin. You can opt for this if your skin is not too sensitive or prone to acne.
Scented or Fragrance-Free Shaving Soap?
The choice of whether you want a scented or fragrance-free soap depends entirely on you. The benefit of shaving soap is that you can choose from a range of different fragrances. These include mind, almond, eucalyptus, lavender, lemon, sandalwood, and rose. Good quality shaving soaps will include essential oils, but make sure your soap does not include alcohol as it can be harmful to your skin. This is why it is necessary to check the ingredients list before purchasing a shaving soap. Fragrance-free shaving soaps are recommended for people with sensitive skin, as artificial fragrances can be harmful to the skin. Therefore, if you feel any irritation or allergies developing after using scented soap, you may want to stick to a fragrance-free soap.
