What is shaving foam?

Posted by KBV Research on November 29th, 2019

Shaving foam is created with a large amount of air that gives it a fluffy texture with a nice lather. Shaving cream or shaving foam is a foamy cosmetic cream that is applied to body hair, mostly facial hair, during the shaving process. Shaving foam helps to lubricate the cutting process, swell keratin, and desensitize the skin. The foam consists of an emulsion of soaps or surfactants, oils, and water. Shaving foam hydrates the skin and leaves it soft and supple.

Shaving foam is a highly preferable product for the customers as they moisturize the stubble, which makes it easier to cut and get a smoother finish post the shaving. Shaving foam lubricates the skin and forms a thin layer that protects skin from the blade, creates less friction, and prevents cutting of the skin. A well moisturized and lubricated skin can better reduce the likelihood of bristles, redness, and irritation.

The basic shaving formulations are packed under pressure with a propellant (like iso-butane), to give the foamy and extra fluffy texture to the shaving foam. When a person presses the button on top of the bottle, that button releases a pressure, which expands the propellant and rushes up the formulation to the top. This is how foam comes out of the bottle. The iso-butane also provides extra bubbles to the formula that gives excessive fluffiness.

How does shaving foam work?

The foam is structural in its density and strength. It has a very moldable form, similar to a lightweight foamed plastic. Shaving foam is much different from a lather that comes from soap.  The blend of lanoline, glycerine, stearic acid, and triethanolamine gives an extra-creamy, dense lather to the shaving cream. Together with the propellant (often butane or propane), this expands and evaporates instantly when it leaves the can, filling the foam with millions of bubbles.

The main ingredients used for making shaving foam

A typical formula contains around 8.2% stearic acid, 3.7% triethanolamine, 5% lanolin, 2% glycerin, 6% polyoxyethylene monostearate, and 79.6% water. Two main ingredients are popular in many of today's preparations in this formula. Stearic acid is among the main ingredients in soap production, and triethanolamine is a surfactant or surface-acting agent that does soap work, though much better. While one end of a molecule with a surfactant attracts dirt and grease, the other end attracts water. Lanolin and polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate are both emulsifiers that hold water onto the skin, while glycerin, a solvent and emollient, makes the skin softer and softer.

Is there any difference between men and women shaving products?

Universally, shaving companies put out both the men’s and women’s versions of all their products. Wherein, the women's products mostly cost a lot higher. However, is there much difference between the gender-specific razors and shaving products? Or is this all about clever marketing?

In comparison to razors that have some differences while being extremely similar, shaving foams are almost always the same save for two differences-smell and cost. For a given manufacturer, the basic ingredients of both are usually the same, they are aromatic and packaged differently depending on whom they are being marketed to.

As to why women pay more for theirs (and almost all other products related to grooming), this is the matter of discussion. In 2009, Consumer Reports published an article on this very phenomenon, specifically asking different bath product manufacturers why there has been an (often large) price gap, with all companies' responses leaving something to be desired.

Should you or should you not use a shaving foam?

Shaving foam is readily available–the very first time you shaved with a disposable razor, you likely used foam. It's easy to dispense, is stored in aerosol canisters (which just have to be pressed from the top to get the foam out), frothy, and ready to be applied on the face. The foam may be your top choice if you prefer a rich, creamy lather.

You may apply it as-is, or use a bit of hot water and a shaving brush to try to whip it up even more. Most foam brands are quite affordable compared to other shaving products. Since foam can be easily worked with hands or a brush into the skin, it can excel in dry or days-old beards' penetration and softening.

If the foam has any disadvantages, it's that some of what you're paying for is canned air (as opposed to actual ingredients), and some foams have a reputation for having formulations that are less than ideal. Many people find it quite messy and awkward to use shaving foam. However, products of higher quality, such as Nivea Sensitive Foam, are made from good ingredients and are designed to protect the skin from everyday shaving. It easily dispenses and helps to give a refreshing, smooth shave.

To conclude

The shaving foam market is gaining huge momentum in the global market space as changes in lifestyles boost the demand for personal care products. From clothing to looks, people are always conscious about their overall look. The growth in population along with a surge in income levels of the middle and upper-class consumer base has significantly driven the demand for men's care products.

Consumers spend a huge portion of their disposable income on personal care products. The consumer statistics stated that “an average consumer spends nearly 1 a month on personal care products”. As a result, higher spending on personal care products would eventually accelerate the market for shaving foam.