Shaving cream




 * See also depilatory cream for the cosmetic potion of this name.

Shaving cream is cream that is applied to the face or wherever else hair grows to avoid razor burn from shaving. Shaving cream is often bought in a can, but can also be purchased in tubs or tubes.

Shaving cream in a can is commonly dispensed as a foam or a gel. Creams that are in tubes or tubs are commonly used with a shaving brush to produce a rich lather (most often used by Wetshavers). A relatively new product is shaving gel, which is dispensed as a gel then rubbed on the face to produce a lather. The main difference between these two types of lubricant is that the gel- and foam-based creams are usually alcohol based and often dry the skin excessively. The tube- and tub-based creams are based on glycerine soaps that are alcohol free and tend to be much easier on the skin. Technically, due to the drying effect of the can foams and gels, you cannot 'Wetshave' with them as they are very dry&mdash;the glycerine in the tub- and tube-based soaps, on the other hand, causes the water used to soften the beard to remain on the face, providing the 'Wetshave' effect.

The compressed gas in shaving cream canisters originally contained CFCs but to avoid patent restrictions it was found that gaseous hydrocarbons such as mixtures of propane, butane and isobutane could be used instead of the CFCs. Because of the large proportion of water in pressurized shaving cream the normally inflammable hydrocarbons were not a fire hazard. Many years later the substitution of hydrocarbons for CFCs proved to be an unanticipated environmental boon. The cream itself commonly consists of a mixture of oil, soaps, surfactants, and water or alcohol, manufactured under carefully controlled conditions to ensure proper pH and consistency.

If shaving cream is not available, regular facial soap may be used in its place; however, some consider this an inadequate substitute for proper shaving soap as the lather often far too runny and inconsistent. Some people prefer not to use shaving cream at all, and may shave simply with water, for example, after a hot shower. However, this is often regarded as more uncomfortable than the use of shaving cream.

Shaving cream is not normally used when using an electric razor, however some newer models feature a wet shave.