Shaving products (wet and dry shaving)

Description

In wet shaving the hair is cut or trimmed with a razor or a razor blade. In dry shaving it is cut by the blade of the electric shaver. Wet shaving products are offered as shaving soaps, foams, creams and gels. Shaving soap is considered to be the classic amongst shaving products. It is different from usual fine soaps because of a high share of rapidly soluble, well foaming potassium soaps (eg POTASSIUM STEARATE). Apart from stearic acid as a fattening component, moisturising agents such as GLYCERIN as well as fragrances (PARFUM) are included. If primarily glycerin monooleate is used for saponification, one gets transparent soap sticks. Shaving soaps are lathered with a shaving brush to become creamy-finely pored and are distributed over the beard zone. Shaving foam from a can is today one of the most usual products. In most cases this concerns liquid shaving soaps which are filled together with propellants (eg PROPANE, BUTANE, ISOBUTANE). In order to improve the lathering of the soap, surfactants are frequently used. To improve the gliding of the razor blade, paraffin oil, LANOLIN, Vaseline or vegetable waxes are added. Shaving foams for sensitive skin contain care substances such as minerals, camomile extracts or vitamins. Silicones and polymers protect against injuries by the blade. Whilst shaving foams surge from the can for immediate application, post-shaving gels develop the foam only after the application on the skin. The mostly transparent products are sprayed onto the hand and lather when spread over the beard area within a few seconds. Their content of water-soluble or water-swellable thickening agents is characteristic (eg XANTHAN). Shaving creams are non-foaming O/W emulsions which are applied directly onto the skin without brush. The products offered in tubes are superfatted as a result of higher contents of stearic acid and certain alcohols and render the beard hairs particularly soft. Since the blade glides easily over the surface, the shaving is caring and the skin remains smooth. The products contain in addition moisturising, calming and/or soothing substances (eg GLYCERIN, aloe vera, camomile extracts) as well as possibly colourants, preservatives (eg SODIUM BENZOATE) and fragrances.