The Importance of Face Washing

I have stated as such on another forum that what you use to wash your face before shaving is of far, far greater importance than many realize. Some facial cleansers can strip the beard too much IMO with the currently popular charcoal ones being guilty of this. I have used a variety of cleansers in this regard and have noticed that there can be a marked difference in shave glide even when using the same soap! I think this is a highly underestimated aspect of wet shaving that needs more research. I have noticed that generally the gel cleansers usually reward with a better shave when later a top tier shave soap is utilized.

I have stated as such on another forum that what you use to wash your face before shaving is of far, far greater importance than many realize. Some facial cleansers can strip the beard too much IMO with the currently popular charcoal ones being guilty of this. I have used a variety of cleansers in this regard and have noticed that there can be a marked difference in shave glide even when using the same soap! I think this is a highly underestimated aspect of wet shaving that needs more research. I have noticed that generally the gel cleansers usually reward with a better shave when later a top tier shave soap is utilized.

Subscribed. I just got a charcoal face soap too...hmm. Thumbs up to get you over the 666 mark

...I just got a charcoal face soap too...hmm. Thumbs up to get you over the 666 mark

I should clarify that the one I used is the one for men by L'Oreal. Regardless, I noticed measurable razor "drag" after using it as a pre-shave wash. YMMV.

100% agree BPman. I've used a number of face wash products that I think are just bad in general (for shaving and otherwise), and particularly have totally dropped any type of exfoliating facial product.

100% agree BPman. I've used a number of face wash products that I think are just bad in general (for shaving and otherwise), and particularly have totally dropped any type of exfoliating facial product.

Are you using an exfoliant that contains salicylic acid? That chemical works great for me in a scrub or a gel cleanser as a pre-shave wash and also as a post-shave wash such as CeraVe SA Renewing Cleanser which is truly remarkable stuff. That said, I don't think one really needs a "hard" scrub such as the apricot ones. However, one's face will tell them the answer.

I will mention two new cleansers I have been sampling as of late that are truly remarkable (as well as costly!!). Luckily, I got free samples at Sephora. .

https://www.drunkelephant.com/products/b...y-cleanser

https://www.olehenriksen.com/products/cl...ize=5.00oz


Finally, although hard to find nowadays (I had to order my last one via Walgreens on the 'net) I have never used any better than the old tried & true Phisoderm.

[... Finally, although hard to find nowadays (I had to order my last one via Walgreens on the 'net) I have never used any better than the old tried & true Phisoderm.

Thanks for starting this thread BPman.  I remember when there was just one Noxzema, and you didn't have to ask for this or that version of Noxzema.  In that same vein, I noticed several varieties of pHisoderm on Amazon just now.  

One of them is pHisoderm Deep Cleaning Cream Cleanser.  The product page says "... Unlike regular soap, pHisoderm facial washes remove dirt, oil and make-up without drying or stripping the skin from its essencial moisture. All facial washes rinse easily leaving no residue. Skin is left feeling fresh, clean and soft, and looks healthy and radiant. ..."  So the marketing people would have us believe that any version of pHisoderm will do, which may be true.  Still, I was wondering if you had a specific pHisoderm product in mind.  If the Deep Cleaning Cream Cleanser fits the bill, I very well might give it a go.  

BTW, I have Liquid Neutrogena Facial Cleansing Formula, which seems like the sort of product you are talking about and which is not expensive.  I have also simply rubbed food grade glycerin into my beard after washing.  This is not ideal IMO, but it certainly moisturizes.  Only a few drops of glycerin are needed, and it is cheap.

I wash my face (with facewash) minimum twice a day. Before shaving, in the morning helps me rejuvenate my face and prep it for shaving.

Mostly, I use any of the facewashes mentioned below & follow it with a scrub.

Dermalogica Daily face scrub, Shiseido Future range and more recently a face wash made by Glenmark Pharmaceuticals ( IDC Pearl). All 3 are amazing products. I have used a lot of products in the last 10-12 years and I keep coming back to these products.

IDC perle helped me deal with breakouts, which largely occurred due to my ATG shaving itch. Shiseido Future range (125ml) used to last me more than an year and left my face hydrated and smooth.Dermalogica scrub is part of my pre shave regime which I can't imagine to skip.




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100% agree BPman. I've used a number of face wash products that I think are just bad in general (for shaving and otherwise), and particularly have totally dropped any type of exfoliating facial product.

Are you using an exfoliant that contains salicylic acid? That chemical works great for me in a scrub or a gel cleanser as a pre-shave wash and also as a post-shave wash such as CeraVe SA Renewing Cleanser which is truly remarkable stuff. That said, I don't think one really needs a "hard" scrub such as the apricot ones. However, one's face will tell them the answer.

I will mention two new cleansers I have been sampling as of late that are truly remarkable (as well as costly!!). Luckily, I got free samples at Sephora. .

https://www.drunkelephant.com/products/b...y-cleanser

https://www.olehenriksen.com/products/cl...ize=5.00oz


Finally, although hard to find nowadays (I had to order my last one via Walgreens on the 'net) I have never used any better than the old tried & true Phisoderm.

I haven’t looked at ingredient lists specifically, but for me I’ve had bad luck with any kind of product that has a ‘scrub’ element to it. Just leaves my mug feeling dry and tender, and definitely seemed to be overkill right before a shave where I’m running a blade across my face.
My wife uses a sensitive skin facial cleanser by Clean & Clear and thats become my daily go-to in the shower before I shave.

I wash my face twice a day. I use Stirling's activated charcoal in the morning, and I use Stirling's preshave soap at night to wash my face since I'm a night shaver. They both work great and can't recommend them enough.

Have been using a custom glycerin soap without dyes and additives made by physician friend that works well but remember using phisoderm years ago and with great results albeit for acne. May try phisoderm again - is memory correct in that it has a funky scent??