Tallow-based shave soaps have been a staple for many wet shavers. So if you’re looking for the best tallow based shaving soap, check out our article!
Tallow is derived from animal fat, such as cattle and grazing animals. Its composition resembles human fat and is a great source of moisture and nourishment for the skin.
It’s worth noting that tallow does not come from pork. Fat from pigs is called lard, which is also great for soap making. Animal fats in general make for harder, and more long-lasting bars of soap.
Tallow-based shaving soaps have built a solid fan base within the wet shaving community, thanks to these attributes. So whether you want to switch to wet shaving or find a better performing soap to add to your rotation, here are the best tallow-based shaving soaps in the market.
Tallow-based Soaps Are Staple In Wet Shaving
Buying Guide: What To Consider When Choosing A Tallow-Based Shaving Soap
When shopping for a tallow-based soap, keep in mind a few things listed below:
Slickness & cushioning
A good shaving soap should provide good slickness to give a buffer between the blade and skin.
Meanwhile, cushioning helps the razor blade glide effortlessly across the skin without causing friction and skin irritation or razor burns later.
Scent
For many shavers, the scent is crucial in their shaving experience. While tallow soap has a mildly fatty scent to it, it is not obtrusive enough to bother you.
Most tallow makers add synthetic fragrances to make their products more appealing. Some of the most common scents you can come across are almond, sandalwood, cedar, lemon, or mint.
Most of the scents in shaving soap do not stay around for very long. They are added to make the shaving experience more enjoyable while not overwhelming to clash with the aftershave.
However, these scented soaps are often not easy for the skin due to the added chemicals. Those with sensitive skin should err on the cautious side and go with unscented products to avoid skin irritation. Alternatively, you can use essential oils with unscented soaps to create the scent you like.
Ingredients
Most tallow-based soaps also come with added ingredients to add moisture and nourishment to the skin.
While tallow creates a rich and creamy lather, it somewhat lacks in cleansing properties. For this reason, soap makers usually add coconut oil to boost cleansing ability and olive oil for added nourishment.
Also, there are some things to keep in mind while choosing shaving soap for sensitive skin. It is recommended to look for soaps with natural ingredients and those without parabens or harsh chemicals. As mentioned, unscented shave soap is the safest option for sensitive skin.
Natural Ingredients Are Safe For Skin
Durability
Most tallow-based shaving soaps typically last more than 6 months. Soaps containing preservatives can last several years while artisan soaps made without preservatives often have a shorter shelf life.
You might notice the scent will fade over time, but the soap is still usable and lathers up well. Proper storage can help to extend the shelf life of a tallow-based soap.
Make sure to keep it in a cool, dark, dry place. If you load the soap directly from the container, allow it to dry overnight before putting the lid back on to maintain its performance.
Cost
Most tallow-based shave soaps can cost between $5 to $25, which is not as expensive as other grooming products. However, it’s worth mentioning that the price does not always indicate the quality of a product. For example, a cheap puck can offer a good shave experience and lasts just as long as more expensive ones.
Yet, if you’re just started wet shaving, buying soaps from reputable brands can save you frustration later. Expect to pay around $20 for a well-made tallow-based soap from these brands.
5 Best Tallow Based Shaving Soap Of 2021 (In-Depth Reviews)
Choosing a tallow-based shave soap is not an easy task, so we’ve compiled a list of the 5 best products for your consideration.
Tabac Original By Maurer & Wirtz For Men Shaving Soap – Best Overall
Tabac has been considered a staple in the shaving community for a long time, and its popularity does not show signs of waning for good reasons.
The shaving soap rises off in no time to soften the whiskers and moisturize your skin. In addition, it produces slicker and denser lather than many other soaps, which helps the blade glide smoothly across the skin for a smooth close shave.
This rich lather makes both a straight edge or double edge shaving a more enjoyable experience. Since the lather can hold up for a long time for an extended shave, this soap is a favorite for many straight razor users.
The soap arrives with a quality ceramic bowl that holds the tuck firmly and looks nice on the sink.
Despite the price can put off some prospective buyers, we believe that if you get the bowl and continue to buy refills, it’s good value for money.
Pros
- Premium ceramic bowl included
- Slick and dense lather
- Moisturizes skin
- Provides great cushioning
- Lathers up quickly
Cons
- Flimsy lid
- The scent is not everyone’s taste
Lather & Wood Shaving Soap – Best For Long-Lasting Lather
Lather & Wood shave soap comes with a pleasant, earthy sandalwood scent that is not overpowering. The scent can stay for 1-2 hours after the shave but is very subtle, letting you use aftershave products or colognes without worrying they will clash.
The tallow and shea butter in this soap does an excellent job of generating a dense, slippery lather.
According to the manufacturer, the lather produced by this soap does not dissipate even after an hour. Indeed, this soap creates a thick lather that remains throughout the shave with the same effectiveness.
Although it’s not the most cushioning and slickest soap available, the overall performance is quite impressive. In addition, the soap is also easy to work up to a good lather.
Lather & Wood soap is slightly expensive than other products, yet the portion you’ll receive is generous which can last several months. The quality is also consistent from the first to your last shave with this soap.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Lather lasts for a long time
- Thick, rich lather
- Impressive sandalwood fragrance
- Consistent quality
Cons
- Slippery can
Mitchell’s Wool Fat Shave Refill Soap – Best For Slickness
This soap is another top performer that can provide you with thick, voluminous lather for a smooth shave.
Mitchell’s Wool Fat is one of the slickest shaving soaps we’ve come acro so far. The great thickness lets the blade glide across the skin with minimal friction and irritation.
Indeed, the soap leaves plenty of residual slickness behind after a pass, which is not something a low-quality shave soap can do. If your hair asks for multiple passes, you don’t have to reapply for the next pass.
Mitchell’s Wool Fat soap has a slightly different formula from other soap as it contains lanolin. This ingredient forms a soft silky thin lather with great slickness.
It is highly hydrating, which can help to keep the skin well-hydrated. Thanks to the lanolin from wool fat, and the natural ingredients used, the soap is pretty gentle on sensitive skin.
However, a learning curve is required to get the lather right since the soap is quite sensitive to the amount of water added.
Pros
- Extremely slick lubricant
- Thick, creamy lather
- Excels in hydrating the skin
- Works well for sensitive skin
Cons
- It takes some practice to get the lather consistency right
Ghost Town Barber Shaving Soap – Best Classic Barbershop Scent
Although the scent is quite a subjective matter, many users have positive feelings about the old, classic scent that is reminiscent of barbershops.
Ghost Town Barber has layers of notes, including smoke, saddle, leather, gunpowder, bergamot, basil leaf, cedar, oakmoss, etc. All of them combine to bring out a masculine scent that lingers during the shave.
We highly recommend this shaving soap for beginners, not only for the universally agreeable scent but also for the ease of lathering. It’s not a thirsty soap that you can lather up with a damp brush.
Ghost Town Barber Shaving Soap is on the lower end of the artisan price range. The potassium tallowate, also known as beef tallow, provides a slick and lubricated base. It is something you should expect from a quality soap.
While we cannot say this shaving soap gives the best shaving experience, it’s hard to find any fault during and after the shave.
Pros
- Provides a great experience
- Pleasant barbershop scent
- Affordable
- Easy to lather
Cons
- The soap dissipates quite fast
Cella Milano Shaving Cream Soap – Best For Budget
While this is tallow-based shaving soap, coconut oil and almond oil are listed on the label, which gives the skin extra nourishment and moisture to get it ready for the shave.
After a bit of work, you can get the stellar thickness and cushion in very little time. Also, the lather does not dissipate or dissolve after being applied for a long time. Hence, the soap is quite suitable for straight razor shavers as there’s no need to rush through the shave.
Although the name might be confusing at first, Cella Milano is not a cream but a hard white soap puck that requires water and bristle brush to foam into a lather. At around $14, this shaving soap is priced lower than the average. Yet, the soap arrives in a generous amount, at 150ml/5ounce.
The only quibble with this shaving soap is its scent. You will get a mix of almond and sweet cherry, which is not welcoming to everyone.
Pros
- Affordable
- Great cushion and thickness
- Long-lasting lather on the face
- Lasts a long time
Cons
- Polarizing scent
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of razor tallow-based shaving soaps for?
Tallow soaps can work well with safety razors, straight razors, and shavettes.
However, for cartridge razor users, glycerin-based soaps are preferable as they’re unlikely to clog the razor blades.
Will tallow clog my pores?
Tallow has a very low comedogenic rating, which means it’s less likely to clog your pores. It is virtually identical to human oil and penetrates the skin to soothe and moisturize it.
What are the benefits of tallow?
Tallow is chock-full of vitamins and nutrients, making it an ideal ingredient for making shaving soaps. It is rich in vitamin A, D, E, and K, which helps to promote healthy, youthful-looking skin.
For soap making, this stable fat gives rich and creamy lather and leaves moisturizing and soothing properties for the skin aftershave.
Conclusion
We hope you can find the best tallow based shaving soap after reading this article. A good shave soap should give you the cushioning and slickness you need for a smooth, friction-free shave and does not take a lot of work to foam lather.
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