The Importance of Face Washing

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.

Like I said, I have no science for it, other than old ads for shampoo that said you could get your hair "squeaky clean" (whether that was a good thing or not).
Also lithographic printmaking techniques, one of which involved applying a polymer solution to the stone, using xylene to strip out the inked areas (linseed oil based ink), apply a water-soluble etch solution, and then ink up the now-cured polymer. All this in order to end up with a negative image on the stone.

Insects landing in soapy water will drown immediately because the soap breaks down the surface tension at their spiracles.

Now I guess the thing to do is establish whether the hair is softer and easier to shave if it is wetted, but it seems to be a given. I suppose that softening the skin itself has a benefit if it makes it more flexible, allowing the blade edge to go deeper (as if to increase the blade exposure). I've always reasoned that stretching the skin tight would counter that effect, so I tend not to do that.

Oddly enough, wikipedia says this about electric pre-shave lotions:
"In contrast to wet shaving, electric shave lotions are intended to stiffen the whiskers. Stiffening is achieved by dehydrating the follicles using solutions of alcohols and a degreaser such as isopropyl myristate."

I have been washing my face before shaving for awhile now and I can say that it makes a HUGE difference. It gives me a closer, smoother shave, no doubt about it. Face washing is more useful than expensive badger brushes or expensive soap or cream. For me, it is really significant and glad I came across this thread. Here is what I have been using lately:

https://www.cerave.com/skincare/cleanser...bumpy-skin

I don't have rough or bumpy skin but this makes my skin feel smoother post shave.

Hair grows from a hair follicle. Each follicle has a sebaceous gland that produces an oil to protect both the skin and the hair. Ducks and most other birds have a similar sebaceous gland that produces oil to coat their feathers. It allows birds to fly through rain and ducks to swim without their plumage become soaked causing them to crash land or drown.

If you try to shave just by wetting your face, the oil that coats the hair will not readily run absorb into the hair. This is similar to water running off a duck's back.
If you wash your face with either a soap or detergent product, The oil that coats the surface of the hair and skin will be removed. This will allow water to penetrate deeply into the hair structure, just like soaking a badger brush allows water to absorb into the hairs.

The reason water absorption is important is that beard hairs possess a tensile strength similar to that of copper wire of similar diameter. If you have ever tried cutting copper wire with a knife, you will know how difficult that can be. When beard hair absorbs water, it loses about half of its tensile strength. This makes shaving your beard a lot easier. For those with coarse beards, this is even more critical.

I have a coarse beard. Whenever possible, I try to shower prior to shaving. I use a combination shampoo, conditioner, body wash product on both my head and face. It does an excellent job of cleaning and hydrating my beard prior to shaving. Sometimes, I cannot shower, so I use a combination of a hot, moist washcloth and a lather prior to my shave. I apply the lather as if I were getting ready to start my shave. However, I then use the hot, moist washcloth to remove the lather and apply water to my beard. Only then do I apply lather getting ready for my shave.

For those of you who want to use bar soap, liquid soap, Dawn dish detergent, or some other face wash product, feel free to do so. As long as the oil is removed from the hairs and they are allowed to become hydrated, you will be fine. I realize that for some folks with finer beards, you might be able to shave without the pre-shave wash. To you I say, you are most blessed.

... For those of you who want to use bar soap, liquid soap, Dawn dish detergent, or some other face wash product, feel free to do so. ...

Which of course makes me think of this:

That’s one of those themes where I’m probably in utter minority, but anyway...

While I recognize face washing as fundamental part in both wetshaving and general skin care, I try to keep this phase the most distant I can from my shaves.
I have thick and coarse beard on a pretty oily skin. So, rather than fight an impossible to win battle, I learned to take advantage of it. How? Well, using the best pre shave in the world: 7-8 hours every night with my face between sheets and pillow, brand Sleep! Thus, the nourishing mix between humidity and the greasy output from my DNA create the best prelude for my hairs to be took down at morning, without any supplementary stress for my skin. God knows how many different variations and products I tried along the years to couple face washing, preparation and my shaves, but results were pretty much the same: washing right before it has more cons than pros for me.
Careful face cleaning is an absolute essential daily activity to me but I prefer to do it at night before going to bed, to clear up all the dirt accumulated during the day. Paired with a good moisturizer of course (yes, even if I got naturally oily skin), that’s the routine I settled in from years with great pleasure.
I seriously invite anyone - especially those who struggle with their technique - to try it at least once in your life: 
wash your face → apply moisturizer → apply Sleep →→→ wake up → warm face lathering with your favorite brush and soap → shave → success


PS: small side note about daily shower
Showering daily -- is it necessary? - Harvard Health Blog

^ I agree
When I wash my face beforehand, I get more irritated during shaving and drier afterwards.

Guys try Cetaphil gentle cleanser before you shave. 

I have folliculitis and psoriasis.   It works for my skin.

Hmmm.......well this I know for sure. If I shower and shampoo my head body and face with Pinaud Clubman Country Club shampoo, my beard is super soft prior to shaving and I get a less irritating shave.

^ I agree
When I wash my face beforehand, I get more irritated during shaving and drier afterwards.

If what you say is true, you are using the wrong shaving soap. There are products that will protect your skin during the shave and leave your face soft, supple, moisturized and well nourished. Some soaps will leave your skin irritated and dry.

^ I agree
When I wash my face beforehand, I get more irritated during shaving and drier afterwards.

If what you say is true, you are using the wrong shaving soap. There are products that will protect your skin during the shave and leave your face soft, supple, moisturized and well nourished. Some soaps will leave your skin irritated and dry.

I think, if anything, I was using the wrong soaps for pre shave. But I don't need to wash my face before shaving (hence, I don't add the unnecessary step), that was also my point.

I use all the critically acclaimed shave soaps, they're not the issue. And I've tried (and sold) close to thousand others, I don't think that's an exaggeration.