The Architecture of a Lather

Here at ShaveSplash we’ve noticed shave soaps tend to produce four types of lather: textured, structured, creamy and yogurty. Many things impact the lather’s structure, the most obvious being water, its hardness, and how much is used. Ingredients will also have an impact, and not just which, but how much and in what proportion.

The Most Common Shave Soap Ingredients

As to how much water should be used? The answer isn’t simple as different soaps require different amounts to reach their maximum volume. Also, some shavers will prefer to make copious amounts of lather, while others not so much. At ShaveSplash, we load the brush for about 30 seconds and use 1-2 tablespoons of water. But the key is whatever the amount of soap or water it’s all about getting the lather to reach its maximum volume.

Yogurty

Yogurty Lather

Yogurty lathers are wet and dense. When the soap reaches its maximum volume, it will be smooth, easy to apply and spread, and very moist.

Creamy

Creamy Lather

Creamy lathers take on the appearance of melted ice cream. They are slightly less dense and wet than a yogurty lather, but also very smooth and easy to apply and spread.

Structured

Structured Lather

Structured lathers are similar to the shaving cream one might see from a spray can. They tend to have more volume than creamy or yogurty lather, be stiffer, and hold their shape better. Structured lathers can also be quite dense, and the higher volume tends to aid cushion, although they may be slighter more difficult to apply and spread with a brush.

Textured

Textured Lather

Textured lathers tend to have an uneven consistency throughout the lather, sometimes having an appearance like oatmeal or cottage cheese. These lathers can also be quite dense, with excellent cushion, and the application and spread may or may not be effected by the structure.

Conclusion

There is no right or wrong, good or bad, when it comes to lather. It all comes down to personal preference, and each of the four structures has positive and negative attributes. Wet shavers live by the rule, your mileage may vary (YMMV). Simply put, what works for you may not work for me. To each, his own. Happy shaving!