Topic: Importance of a Soap's Post Shave Feel

Soap, it's drying. However, while a soap can be made more moisturizing this is not its intended purpose. Post shave feel is achieved via an appropriate aftershave product based on the person's skin type...Coming from the opposite end of the spectrum thanks to my oily skin, there are actually soaps out there that don't work well for me due to all of their added moisturizers. While they may make it possible for you to skip an aftershave product, I can't use it because it just makes my face all greasy and then I don't get a good shave. Now this really ruins post shave skin feel.

Indeed. I'd characterize my skin as normal (in terms of moisturization level), but don't care for soap which leaves a heavy film (which is what many "moisturizing" soaps tend to do).

"Post-shave feel" is up there for me on the scale of importance though. But moreso in terms of whether or not, my skin feels irritated, and (whether or not) clean, rather than strictly moisturized.

I agree it is like drinking an expensive wine and having a terrible tast in my mouth afterwards.  Post shave feeling is important to me.

This is a very good question and a point very well made and I agree with the OP.

Post shave is certainly one of the things I look for, I tend to be very picky of my soaps these days and I don't keep any soaps that don't perform outstandingly in all departments. But I do find myself judging a soap more and more on post shave feel and many soaps perform well during the shave with cushion and slickness and it is definately the post shave where good soaps shine.

Look at the top artisans, Mystic Water, CRSW, B&M and Soap Commander...all have different qualities but they all have very good post shaves.

I agree it is like drinking an expensive wine and having a terrible tast in my mouth afterwards.  Post shave feeling is important to me.

Good analogy

Firstly, this and every other aspect of this hobby will always be very subjective, so there will be folks who prefer certain characteristics of a soap/cream over other characteristics and they can always use a balm if post-shave is not important to them.

Having said this, I greatly appreciate all traits of a soap, and post-shave is equally important to me. This is why I tend to stay away from the commercially made soaps as they tend to dry my skin and I gravitate towards the artisanal ones.
Fortunately, for me, I found one of the best soaps offering great post-shave and I have been using it as my main soap for the past five years.  

Celestino, this brings me to a question I have thought about asking you, but never did on the other forum.

If you imagine Mystic Water soaps were no longer made, and all your stock of it was stolen, and you could not in any way get hold of any Mystic Water soaps anywhere, what would your Top 5 of your favourite soaps/creams in your den be ?

CHSeifert Are you trying to give celestino a heart attack?

I use a couple of moisturizers after my shave, before that I use an AS balm and an AS Splash - so my face always feels pretty good after a shave.

BUT - the nice post shave feel always add to the quality of my shave. If my skin feels great after the shave, I don't rush to use my AS balm, because it almost is not necessary.

So post shave feel is important to me, more so in the colder half of the year - November until April.

But I don't pick my soaps based on how great a post shave feel they might have, but it certainly is an added bonus if the do have this.

Post Shave Feel is THE most important aspect of a soap

Yep.

Celestino, this brings me to a question I have thought about asking you, but never did on the other forum.

If you imagine Mystic Water soaps were no longer made, and all your stock of it was stolen, and you could not in any way get hold of any Mystic Water soaps anywhere, what would your Top 5 of your favourite soaps/creams in your den be ?

Wow, Claus. That is a very fascinating and hypothetical question, but I'll try to answer it for you.

If I could not use Mystic Water, any longer, I would be very happy using a few other excellent soaps like Jabonman/Eufros, Mike's, Shannon's, Cold River, B&M and I would even splurge and get both of the Nuavias.

CHSeifert Are you trying to give celestino a heart attack?

More like a great laugh, Bruce.

The post shave is important to me, absolutely. But I don't see how post shave could be more important than the actual shave. In addition to the conditioning ingredients, the effectiveness of the actual shave certainly contributes to the post shave. Consider that inadequate slickness and cushion may lead to irritation that is felt after the shave.