When it comes to shaving, many of us are used to the comforting sensation of a rich, foamy lather. It feels smooth, luxurious, and gives us the impression that we’re treating our skin well. But what if we told you that this “feel-good” experience could actually be misleading?
At Henson Shaving, we’ve spent countless hours researching what really matters when it comes to shaving. Our findings show that while traditional shaving foam might feel great to use, its quantitative performance falls short of what your skin actually needs.
The disconnect between “feel” and “results”.
In our research, we noticed something striking: When men used traditional shaving foam, their subjective experience was excellent — they reported smooth, enjoyable shaves, feeling like they had achieved the perfect glide. But when we measured the real skin outcomes, things weren’t as rosy.
Quantitatively, we found that foam actually caused more redness and reduced hydration levels compared to using Henson Shave Cream or even water alone. The foam might feel comforting in the moment, but it doesn’t actually improve skin health.
The shaving foam paradox: Engineered to “feel good,” not to perform.
The main issue with traditional foam lies in its design and formulation. Here’s why:
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Moisture Trapping: Many foams are designed to hold moisture on your skin, creating a slippery surface. While this feels good during the shave, it often leaves behind residue that can clog pores and irritate the skin once it’s rinsed off.
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Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Other Irritants: The foam often contains chemicals like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), which helps generate the foam’s luxurious texture. While it feels silky, it’s a skin irritant and can actually strip away natural oils, making skin drier after the shave.
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Temporary Sensation, Lasting Irritation: The thick lather of shaving foam is engineered to feel protective and comforting. But that feeling doesn’t last, as the irritation and dryness often emerge after the shave, when your skin has had time to react.
The real shaving results: What foam doesn’t tell you.
When we conducted the quantitative measurements in our study, the numbers told a very different story compared to the feel-good experience of foam:
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Increased Erythema: Foam shaving consistently caused higher levels of post-shave redness (erythema), indicating irritation.
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Decreased Skin Hydration: Shaving foam reduced skin hydration levels, leaving skin feeling tight and dry after use.
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Less Efficient Hair Removal: Multiple blade passes (often needed with foam) can increase the chance of skin drag and irritation, making shaving more of a challenge.
The solution: The Henson Shave Cream. Designed to perform, not just feel good.
At Henson Shaving, we believe a great shave shouldn’t just feel good in the moment — it should leave your skin feeling great afterward. That’s why we’ve engineered Henson Shave Cream to go beyond comfort and focus on clinical performance.
Here’s why Henson Shave Cream outperforms foam in terms of real results:
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No Residue, No Irritation: Our shave cream is designed to hydrate and protect the skin, not just create a slippery surface. It doesn’t leave behind any residue that could irritate or clog your pores.
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Clinically Backed: Unlike foam, Henson Shave Cream has been clinically tested to reduce redness (erythema) and improve skin hydration post-shave.
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Better Glide, Less Passes: The Henson razor paired with the shave cream glides smoothly across the skin with less resistance, reducing the need for multiple passes that can irritate sensitive skin.
Feel good AND do good for your skin.
So, the next time you reach for that shaving foam, consider what you’re sacrificing for that momentary “luxury.” Henson Shave Cream is engineered not just to feel good but to actually improve the quality of your shave — delivering real, lasting results for your skin.
Don’t settle for a feel-good shave that leaves you with irritation and dryness. Switch to Henson Shave Cream for a shave that’s not just comforting during the process, but leaves your skin feeling smooth, hydrated, and irritation-free long after.