What's so great about non can cream?

Hi folks,

I ask this question not to pick a fight, but out of genuine curiosity. I have been doing a ton of research before taking the plunge into DE shaving and while the consensus here is that traditional creams and soaps are far superior to cheap canned cream and gel, other people that I talk to see things differently. I have talked to very few average shavers who see any problem with the canned stuff that they use on a daily basis and most even seemed shocked at the idea that they might buy something that costs way more than what they currently use, even if it does work a little bit better.

I currently use Gillette shave gel for sensitive skin and while I don't gush about it the stuff works fine for me. I have used many cheap canned creams in the past, also without much to complain about. As long as it is supposedly formulated for sensitive skin I have zero issues with dry skin, irritation, or nicks/cuts. My question is: why should I even consider a product that cost two to three times my current product? Is traditional cream or soap really that much better, and if so why are so few folks complaining about the cheaper and more readily available stuff? Is it a case of 'they don't know what they're missing' or is it more of a lifestyle choice?

 

Actually canned foam costs a great deal more than Soaps or Creams. The brush adds a bit due to the initial investment though. I was going through at least a can every 3 months, averaging around $6/can after taxes. That's $24/year minimum. For arguments sake lets take my newest shave cream from the Body Shop, which isn't very cheap at all, rings in around $16/tub however with daily shaving and ONLY using that, it would easily last a year and a half, I suspect more actually.

The other thing I hate about canned stuff, is that they never provided the same amount of protection for my face. It would always be dry afterwards, including the extra moisture stuff, or super hydrating canned gel. It's been 3 hours since I shaved and my cheeks are still moist lightly scented from my Maca Root SC Nothing is wrong with some canned foams though, Proraso and Barbasol make the best iterations though and if I *had* to go back to it, I would exclusively use one of those.

 

, Even a palmolive shave sticks last a long time and are only 49p here in the UK, Triple milled shave soaps will lats a long time and tend to be more expensive than normal shave soaps but tend to run at a similar cost in the long run, it can take awhile to find the products that you like and work best for you, but for me that was the fun part of the journey.

 

I was just using my more expensive versions as an example of course. A tub of Proraso for $6 can easily last more than a year too. Good thing I have acquisition disorders and started this back up to save money. WOW DID I FAIL AT THAT.

 

Currently into this straight razor thing. While I didn't find much difference in creams or soaps while using a DE, I have noticed a big difference when using a straight.
While I haven't used every canned soap, the ones I have are marginal with my straight razor style.

 

Non canned cream tends to dry out the skin less than canned cream. I put it to all the additional things that they have to put into canned cream to get it out of the can and onto your face. The propellant usually propane, butane or something that ends in -ane displaces the water in your skin drying it out. In order to avoid that they add lubricants that are often petroleum based which also isn'd good for your skin. Non canned shaving cream has no need for propellants and many incorporate things that are actually good for your skin like lanolin or wheat germ. Also, since you usually apply non canned shaving cream with a brush that helps to lift the stubble to make cutting easier. If you take your time to actually work the cream into your skin you will find that it provides much better protection then just the canned goop that you slather onto your face. I always found that with a cartridge razor I had good shaves with little irritation but the smoothness only lasted for a few hour or maybe half a day at the longest. Once I added a brush and some decent cream to the mix I got better shaves even though I was still using a cartridge.

here is a great article on sharopologist that explains the difference better. http://sharpologist.com/2011/11/why-not-plain-ol-barber-sol-canned-cream.html

As the article puts it it's like eating at McDonald's. Sure you can do it everyday but it might not be good for you and it sure is boring.

 

Huh, I go through cans of cream/gel at such a low rate that I guess I just assumed that they pack more in than the tubs/tubes. A single can will last me a good six months. I have a beard right now (a tight and well controlled beard) so that helps cut back on the amount of cream that I use, but I will be joining the police academy shortly, so the hair will have to go and my usage will dramaticly increase. I may have to consider a traditional cream or soap if the volume really is that much greater than the canned stuff.

 

It all depends on the users of course. My creams I use around half an almond for my face that gives me more than enough lather for 3 passes + touchups; if I go to a full almond size, I have enough for my face and shaving my head. Soaps are hard for me to judge because those pucks just keep going and going, especially something like MWF, I'll probably die before this puck does.

 

IMHO, soaps and creams just provide a better shave experience once you get the technique down. Better glide, face protection, etc. Plus, if you have sensitive skin, or just want to avoid nasty chemicals, you're way better off avoiding the canned stuff.

 

Burn the witch!

 

As if you haven't been as tempted as me to try a can of Proraso just to see

Wow - sorry for the Dr. Seuss here.

 

For me I have never gone back to canned stuff as Im getting better shaves, but if canned stuff works better for you after you have tried creams and soaps, it is your shave at the end of the day, and its about getting results. so what ever works.

 

Actually, no ( ) I can't stand menthol. But, ( ) I have used Aveno sensitive on rare occasion.

And props for the Doc.

 

If its just a cost thing then I would try a hard Soap with a Boar brush, either omega or Semogue. The initial investment maybe 15-20 dollars but the harder soap will last you many more shaves than the equivalent cans of goo. PSHH plus it just looks cooler.

 

Basically if I am going to spend more money and more time/effort on a different product then I want a good justification for doing so. An increase in volume is certainly a justification worth looking into. Less dry skin or less skin irritation, for me, is not a good justification because I don't have those issues with the canned gel that I am currently using.

My other issue with traditional creams/soaps is the amount of time and effort it takes to use them. With a can you spray some out put it on and shave it off...easy and quick, but it seems to be a bit more time consuming to go the traditional route. When you are trying to make breakfast, drag a three year old to the tub, and walk the dog all at the same time the last thing you need is to spend more time shaving.

 

I know I have, they sell the cans of Proraso red by my place.

AS for the OP, I was happy to turn away from the canned creams/gels because no matter what sensitive type it was, it still irritated my face. Now, I didn't try Barbasol because of Jurrasic Park (lol...its tru though...I kept picturing the guy eating it), and I didn't know about Proraso cans back then. Also I find that the tubes or tubs of cream do add an extra level of protection (moisturizing, etc) and comfort when shaving.

Just to add a bit more, I think so few are complaining for a few reasons...one, most of the nice soaps have to be ordered online, unless you're lucky enough NOT to live in Edmonton, where you can only find proraso and williams...therefore I think the average individual won't know the other options really exist, without going into a specialty store where they will pay off a rip-off premium for the product, I know I didn't really know so many options existed before I turned to DEs. Also I think it is really a lifestyle choice for most. Take my dad for example...he can use any razor, soap/cream, and do either a hot or cold water shave, and he comes out with the same quality of shave everytime. Whereas me, if I use a cartridge razor, it looks like a rabid dog attacked my neck because of all the irritation; if I use any canned creams/gels it burns my face (i don't know why); even if I use any other soaps or creams (tube/tub) that have any perfume oils in it, they too burn my face. So I stick with natural scents and the sensitive stuff that's out there (or lanolin enriched soaps/creams)...thus I do it out of need.

 

I mean, you can also go the environmental route...all those aerosol cans are no good for the environment compared to the toothpaste-style tubes or a little plastic tubs traditional creams come in. Of the traditional cream/soap users know, a good portion of them made the choice to limit their negative effect on the environment. The switch to DE shaving, too.

And I mean, they smell fantastic too

 

While I think limiting the amount of waste that we produce is important I also enjoy being contrary just for the entertainment value that annoyed environmentalists tend to produce. I and a friend once dressed all in leather and "protested" outside of a vegan restaurant with signs saying "broccoli has feelings too" (broccoli actually does have a nervous system) and "save a plant, eat a cow". It was tons of fun. Now when ever I see a friend who is also an environmentalist I will have all sorts of fun messing with him about the impact his shaving with cartridges and canned cream is having on the noble pigeon. Heh, happy days.

 

The best advice I think anyone can give is to try using the canned stuff with a DE razor and see how it is. Until you actually try it out we can only give examples as to why people switch over to the traditional stuff. Everyone here is going to give you the reason that they switched over to using traditional wet shaving. You can always adjust your shave for what you like. As swarden43 says " It's your shave. Enjoy it your way."