When it comes to shaving products, you have several options: shaving cream, shaving gel, shaving oils, and shaving butter. Sometimes shaving cream and shaving gel are mistakenly considered the same, but there are differences.
The main difference is that shaving gels don’t lather up, whereas creams do. Also, gels are more lightweight and simpler for those who have just begun to shave.
Then there is shaving butter to consider. Why should you use that instead of shaving creams or gel? Great question!
Read on to find out what distinguishes shaving butter from cream and when you should use one or the other. SPOILER ALERT: it comes down to how sensitive your skin is.
What’s The Difference Between Shaving Butter And Shaving Cream?
What is contained within the products is what differentiates shave cream from its butter alternative.
These are placed within the shaving cream so that your skin and facial hair are taken care of. Unfortunately, the chemicals can irritate your skin. That’s where shaving butter excels.
Shea butter (or a substitute such as mango butter).
Aloe vera oil
Jojoba oil
Coconut oil
Essential oils (for fragrance)
If you suffer from dry skin, then shaving butter is the product to go for. The oils and antioxidants in the product moisturize and protect your skin and hair follicles.
Do You Use Shaving Butter Before Or After You Shave?
Shave butter is just another shaving option you can select from instead of cream, gel, or oils. So, with that in mind, use shaving butter before you shave.
It’s simple to use; just scoop a small amount of the shave butter and warm it up in your hands. Once it has melted, work the butter into your skin and facial hairs. Then go ahead and shave.
Rinse out the shave butter, and then (this next part is optional) apply a small amount of post-shave oil onto your face.
Does Shaving Butter Replace Shaving Cream?
Shaving butter can replace shaving cream. For those who want an all-natural solution for their shaving regimen, butter is an ideal choice.
As mentioned in the previous section, you are getting better moisturizing for your skin thanks to the components within the butter. An added benefit is that the ingredients contain goodness that allows your skin to look youthful and remain soft.
Yet, shaving butter does have drawbacks. Due to the consistency of the shave butter, it can feel thick and heavy on the face while shaving. If that seems a little icky, then consider using shaving cream instead.
Another downside to shaving butter is you need to keep it somewhere cool. A warm environment can have the shave butter melting.
The shelf-life of shaving butter is shorter than that of shaving cream. This is because shaving butter doesn’t contain preservatives. You can expect your butter to last around two to three months. Shaving cream can last at least twice as long as that once opened.
Is Shaving Cream Or Shaving Butter Better To Use?
Deciding which way to swing, cream or butter depends on what result you are after with the shave.
Shaving cream is easier to apply than shaving butter. All you need to do is squirt it into your hand and then work it over your face. With butter, you need to scoop out a small amount and then melt it by rubbing it between your hands. That process may seem like a bother when you want a quick shave.
However, because of the oils within the butter, you are getting a more comfortable shave. The blade of the razor can glide more easily over the surface of the skin. That reduces the chance of razor burn.
Shaving cream lathers up, which means air bubbles. Air bubbles can affect how close the razor’s head is to the skin’s surface. The result of that is an uneven shave because the blade is missing some areas.
Also, as we said earlier, shaving cream can contain chemicals that will have your skin reacting.
Yet, shaving cream is easier to rinse off than shaving butter. When shaving with butter, you need to give your face and whiskers a very thorough rinse out to ensure all traces of the substance are gone.
Is Shaving Butter Better Than Shave Oil?
Some people opt to use shaving oil instead of cream or butter. But, when it comes to shaving products, how does shaving oil compare with shaving butter?
Shaving oil does offer the same level of lubricant as butter does. Remember, a significant component of shave butter is oil.
Both products offer similar benefits:
Reduction of ingrown hairs.
Skin irritation is eliminated.
A smoother shave with no nicks or cuts.
A naturally-created barrier traps the moisture in your skin and hair follicles.
There are no chemicals within the oil or butter.
There is one thing going against shaving oil. Because it is transparent, it isn’t easy to track where you have shaved and haven’t. That can have you going back over the same area twice and missing other spots when shaving.
With shaving butter, you are getting a visual guide that helps you keep track of where you have shaved.
What Happens If You Don’t Shave With Shaving Cream?
It is possible to shave without using shaving cream. The main problem with doing so is that you aren’t giving your skin the lubrication required for a comfortable shave.
There will be cuts and nicks as well as pain as the blade runs against unprotected skin.
Is it possible to dry shave?
You can forgo using any type of shaving product and shaving on dry skin. Yet, for those with highly sensitive skin, you may want to think twice about doing this.
There is an increase in the possibility of you snagging hairs and causing ingrown hairs. Both painful situations you want to avoid
However, if you are game enough to try dry shaving, go with the grain of the hair. To avoid razor burn, apply talcum powder to your face before shaving. Then…go for it!
Shaving Cream vs. Shaving Butter: The Winner is…
Okay, so if there was a competition between shaving cream and shaving butter, which would win?
The answer to that depends on whether you want a product that is quick to apply or not. Then the champion is shaving cream: Squirt, rub onto your face, and go.
But, for individuals that have skin that reacts to chemicals, then shaving butter wins. The natural ingredients within the shave butter serve sensitive skin well. Additionally, shaving butter offers a smoother and closer shave than shaving cream.
If you are after an overall winner, shave butter would just beat shave cream by a nose. That’s thanks to the oils and other components within the butter offering better lubrication while shaving. Also, shave butter offers moisturizing and protection for your skin and facial hair.
Our apologies to shave cream. Hope there are no hard feelings there.
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