People originally used soap for shaving, but then realized mixing oils, fatty acids, and perfumes created a more enjoyable shave. Shaving cream was developed, with water as the main ingredient and three important acids - stearic, coconut, and myristic acids. These acids control surface tension, pH, and help create foam. Other ingredients like triethanolamine, sodium/potassium hydroxides, and glycerin are added to make the solution soluble and help the cream retain moisture and stability. To make shaving foam, essential oils and acids are heated and mixed, then cooled before adding water, glycerin, and perfumes.

1. The Science Of Shaving
Cream

2. Soap???
Before there was
actual “Shaving
cream,” People
used a sort of
soap.
Shaving cream
softens the skin,
creating a more
luxurious shave.

3. Shaving cream
People soon realized that you can mix
oils, fatty acids, and all sorts of
perfumes to create a more enjoyable
shave.
When all mixed together, these
ingredients can produce different types
of shaving “Softeners”.

4. Shaving foam is
the most commonly
used of all the
shaving products.
Shaving cream
In all of the foams, waterIn all of the foams, water
is the most basicis the most basic
ingredient.ingredient.
Then, there are 3Then, there are 3
different types ofdifferent types of
important acids used.important acids used.

5. Shaving cream
The 3 most common acids
are Steric acid, Coconut
acid, and Myristic acid.
Steric acid lowers the surface
tension between the molecules that
do not like to mix.
Coconut acid is used to control the
pH of the solution.
Myristic acid, when added to the
solution, bubbles and creates foam
faster.

6. Shaving cream
Triethanolanmine
is a organic base
in the solution.
It helps
neutralize the pH
and helps make the
oils in the foam
more soluble.

7. Shaving cream
Hydroxides of Sodium and
Potassium play a part in creating
it also.
They make the fatty acids more
soluble in the water. They too
control the pH of the solution.
Glycerin is used to retain water,
increasing the lather and
stability.

8. Shaving cream
To make shaving foam, the essential oils andTo make shaving foam, the essential oils and
acids are mixed. Then, the mixture is heatedacids are mixed. Then, the mixture is heated
to180 degrees. After a certain amount ofto180 degrees. After a certain amount of
time, the mixture is cooled. Then, water,time, the mixture is cooled. Then, water,
glycerin, and triethanolamine are added. Atglycerin, and triethanolamine are added. At
this point, perfumes or scents and added.this point, perfumes or scents and added.

9. Works Cited
Acne.org. Daniel W. Kern, n.d. Web. 11 Apr. 2013.
<http://www.acne.org/blog/2010/10/21/
the-search-for-the-perfect-shaving-cream/>.
How Products Are Made. JRank, n.d. Web. 11 Apr. 2013.
<http://www.madehow.com/Volume-1/
Shaving-Cream.html#b>.
Sharpologist. OnMilwaulkee, n.d. Web. 11 Apr. 2013.
<http://sharpologist.com/2012/03/
anatomy-of-a-shaving-cream.html>.
http://www.acne.org/blog/2010/10/21/the-search-for
/www.madehow.com/Volume-1/Shaving-Cream.htm
sharpologist.com/2012/03/anatomy-of-a-shaving-cream

10. Works Cited
Acne.org. Daniel W. Kern, n.d. Web. 11 Apr. 2013.
<http://www.acne.org/blog/2010/10/21/
the-search-for-the-perfect-shaving-cream/>.
How Products Are Made. JRank, n.d. Web. 11 Apr. 2013.
<http://www.madehow.com/Volume-1/
Shaving-Cream.html#b>.
Sharpologist. OnMilwaulkee, n.d. Web. 11 Apr. 2013.
<http://sharpologist.com/2012/03/
anatomy-of-a-shaving-cream.html>.
http://www.acne.org/blog/2010/10/21/the-search-for
/www.madehow.com/Volume-1/Shaving-Cream.htm
sharpologist.com/2012/03/anatomy-of-a-shaving-cream