Shaving cream is cream that is applied to the face to avoid razor burn. It is sold in cans under high pressure. It creates a lather on the face that protects the skin from being cut by a razor. Common brands in the United States include Barbasol, Colgate, Edge and Gillette.

The compressed gas in shaving cream canisters originally contained CFCs but to avoid patent restrictions it was found that gaseous hydrocarbons such as mixtures of propane, butane and isobutane could be used instead of the CFCs. Because of the large proportion of water in pressurized shaving cream the normally inflammable hydrocarbons were not a fire hazard. Many years later the substitution of HCs for CFCs proved to be an unanticipated environmental boon.

If shaving cream is not available, regular facial soap can be used in its place.

Shaving cream is not normally used when using an electric razor, however some newer models feature a wet shave.

Controversy

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There is some controversy as to whether shaving cream actually has any benefits when shaving with a razor. In an article titled The Shaving Cream Racket, Jeffrey A. Tucker explains how he has been using a razor without shaving cream for over 20 years and claims that shaving cream destroys your skin, rather than protecting it.

External Links

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• How to Use Shaving Cream
• Are Shaving Creams for Men and Women Different? The Beauty Brains

See also

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• Aftershave

Hygiene | Depilation

Crema para afeitar | Mousse à raser | Scheerschuim | Raklödder