The Importance of Face Washing

This thread is mainly about products, though washing our faces before shaving is important for several reasons.  For me, the product is artisan made bath soap.
Why washing is imortant:

1. Staph bacteria, the kind that can make you very sick, is part of the natural human flora.  Probably won't get badly sick, but it will cause uncomfortable bumps.
   
2. We want to soften our beards, which is done hydrating the whisker with water.  Washing our beards removes the natural oils to water can soak in.
   
3. Dead skin needs to be exfoliated and removed.  If not, it will be shoved into the hair follicles, which can cause uncomfortable bumps.
   
4. Whiskers on the lower part of the neck exit the hair follicles almost laying on the skin as opposed to pointing outwards in other places.  Skin tends to grow over some of them, creating what are called trapped hairs.  Once covered in skin, you get an uncomfortable bump or an ingrown hair.  Soapy fingers aren't enough to release trapped hairs.  I use a soap wash cloth, scrubbing gently.
   

You said all this in post 13 above. I don't experience these issues.

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...Once covered in skin, you get an uncomfortable bump or an ingrown hair.  Soapy fingers aren't enough to release trapped hairs.  I use a soap wash cloth, scrubbing gently.

Or you can use a facial wash that contains glycolic and/or salicylic acid that safely exfoliates via chemical action. Personally, I prefer the latter and also use it two times a day as a skin toner and cannot say enough good things about its properties. I always found washcloths to be too irritating for my handsome face. 

...Once covered in skin, you get an uncomfortable bump or an ingrown hair.  Soapy fingers aren't enough to release trapped hairs.  I use a soap wash cloth, scrubbing gently.

Or you can use a facial wash that contains glycolic and/or salicylic acid that safely exfoliates via chemical action. Personally, I prefer the latter and also use it two times a day as a skin toner and cannot say enough good things about its properties. I always found washcloths to be too irritating for my handsome face. 

If one is a clean-shaven, face lathering, daily shaver, how many dead skin cells remain in the 24 hours between shaves after a good workout with boar bristles and shaving soap? Color me skeptical that I have an undected problem with my routine that requires purchasing chemical exfoliants. I did just buy a $6 exfoliating brush on Amazon I'll test out for science.

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jmudrick and BPman I'm not familiar with the chemical exfolients you mentioned and wasn't trying to infer that what I described is the only correct way. After all, we all find what works for us. My intention was to share the highlights from the study below. The article talks about using soapy wash cloth to exfoliate, so that's what I covered. I've used a soapy washcloth for a long time and it works well for me, though that doesn't mean its right for everyone. If the study had mentioned chemical exfoliants that is what I would have mentioned. We all find what works best for us and its all good.

https://www.dr-jetskeultee.nl/download/c...having.pdf

1. [snip]
   
2. We want to soften our beards, which is done hydrating the whisker with water.  Washing our beards removes the natural oils to water can soak in.
   
3. [snip]
   
4. Whiskers on the lower part of the neck exit the hair follicles almost laying on the skin as opposed to pointing outwards in other places.  Skin tends to grow over some of them, creating what are called trapped hairs.  Once covered in skin, you get an uncomfortable bump or an ingrown hair.  Soapy fingers aren't enough to release trapped hairs.  I use a soap wash cloth, scrubbing gently.
   

#2 - I agree about the "degreasing" feature of soap to aid in wetting, but with no science to back up my opinion. I guess you could argue that xylene or toluene would do the job too, but ... nah. I'll stick with my Caprina Fresh Goats Milk soap bar. I soap up and rub until it squeaks.

#4 - I had not thought about the neck hair thing, but I suspect that you are right. And I prefer a rough terry face cloth to any exfoliant product that costs more, and ends up as a microplastic (or whatever) in the ocean and harming marine life.

1. [snip]
   
2. We want to soften our beards, which is done hydrating the whisker with water.  Washing our beards removes the natural oils to water can soak in.
   
3. [snip]
   
4. Whiskers on the lower part of the neck exit the hair follicles almost laying on the skin as opposed to pointing outwards in other places.  Skin tends to grow over some of them, creating what are called trapped hairs.  Once covered in skin, you get an uncomfortable bump or an ingrown hair.  Soapy fingers aren't enough to release trapped hairs.  I use a soap wash cloth, scrubbing gently.
   

#2 - I agree about the "degreasing" feature of soap to aid in wetting, but with no science to back up my opinion. I guess you could argue that xylene or toluene would do the job too, but ... nah. I'll stick with my Caprina Fresh Goats Milk soap bar. I soap up and rub until it squeaks.

#4 - I had not thought about the neck hair thing, but I suspect that you are right. And I prefer a rough terry face cloth to any exfoliant product that costs more, and ends up as a microplastic (or whatever) in the ocean and harming marine life.

I'd be interested in a reference for the degreasing/saturation theory. I don't recall the old studies I read addressing it It makes logical sense, I just wonder how much faster saturation is achieved.

My $6 exfoliating brush is wood and boar bristle, hopefully no microplastics issues..

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Let's see what a board certified dermatologist says:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U08KUVCWlTk

Before you eye roll on his usage of a multi-blade razor know that the vast majority of shavers get along with them quite well. I didn't or else I wouldn't be using a safety razor of some sort for years.

Let's see what a board certified dermatologist says:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U08KUVCWlTk

Before you eye roll on his usage of a multi-blade razor know that the vast majority of shavers get along with them quite well. I didn't or else I wouldn't be using a safety razor of some sort for years.

My eyes are rolling with the fact he "wet' his face then went straight to chemicals. What happened to the well established by science saturate the beard for 3-4 minutes with warm water to saturate the whiskers (which I do)? This is what they're teaching the kids?

Come on, didn't you find it odd that saturation of the whiskers wasn't the first point of advice? Whatever , I'll be the one to exit, it's your thread, you guys can continue the product discussion.

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