Hot water vs soap

The OP's MO.  Could be days, could be weeks, could be next year.  But guaranteed he (she?) is not interested in the answer.

If your beard hairs are saturated with facial oils, the water cannot penetrate thoroughly into the hairs. Soap removes those oils. Ducks can float because the oil on their feathers prevents water from saturating the feathers. A duck with saturated feathers might drown.

Sir! Are you likening our visages to duck posteriors?! This cannot stand!

If your beard hairs are saturated with facial oils, the water cannot penetrate thoroughly into the hairs. Soap removes those oils. Ducks can float because the oil on their feathers prevents water from saturating the feathers. A duck with saturated feathers might drown.

Sir! Are you likening our visages to duck posteriors?! This cannot stand! 

But you can always tell if your face is like a duck - it floats!