Shaving Preparations Through the Ages

What was the original form of shaving soap?

What is a necessary attribute of shaving preparations?

Why is coconut oil important in shaving soap?

What is another change that occurred in men's shaving preferences?

What is a requirement for shaving preparations with respect to razor blades?

Why are fatty acid soaps of palm oil used in shaving soap?

What is an important property of shaving preparations with respect to temperature?

What is a necessary attribute of a good shaving preparation with respect to the beard?

What characteristic of soaps affects their ability to lather?

Why are potassium soaps usually softer than sodium soaps?

What is the purpose of adding sodium soap to a mixture of potassium soap?

What determines the irritation potential of different soaps?

What is the primary difference between shaving sticks and bar soaps?

What is the purpose of heating the crutcher in the semiboiled method?

What is the role of the stearic acid in the soap formulation?

What happens to the soap mixture after saponification is complete?

Preferences in shaving preparations have undergone significant changes over time.
Soap was the dominant product in the market, initially in cake or bar form, then in mug, stick, or powdered form.

Easy and rapid production of a copious lather.
Resistance to rapid drying or collapse while on the face during shaving.
Freedom from causing skin irritation, especially to the mucosa of the eyes, nose, etc.
Rapid softening of the beard and sufficient viscosity to hold the hairs erect for easy cutting.
Lubrication to facilitate smooth razor gliding over the face.
Stability of the preparation at various temperatures and geographical areas.

Shaving soaps were originally prepared in bar or cake form, then in mug or bowl form.
Bar shaving soap requires a different formulation than ordinary bar toilet soaps.
Coconut oil soaps lather quickly and copiously, while fatty acid soaps of palm oil have better lathering properties.
Potassium soaps are more soluble than sodium soaps and provide a thicker, longer-lasting lather.

Formula 1: Tallow (15-30 parts), Coconut oil, Stearic acid, Sodium hydroxide (40°Be), Potassium hydroxide (38°Be).
Manufacturing process involves mixing and heating the ingredients to create the soap.

Shaving sticks are produced in a dry, firm form, rubbed onto moistened skin, and worked into a lather with a brush.
Similar to bar shaving soap, but in a more concentrated form.