Hi all,
I just caught up with this thread. My own view is that most soaps on the high street contain a lot of unnecessary c**p. Much of this synthetic stuff can cause irritation including aggravating eczema in some individuals. Also, whilst it may be passed as safe to use, I can't imagine that it is possible to do tests that show the effect of combining the millions of chemicals in our food, air and skin care products. It's not like any of us are living like cave dwellers and that the only pollutant we are putting in our bodies are the chemicals in some soaps.
I'm not expreme in my views, but where there doesn't seem to be any good reason to add chemicals, then why do it? I can only go on the opinions of others as regards my shaving soaps, and so far feedback has been very good. As regards ordinary bathing soaps, I find that it is perfectly possible to make a hard long lasting bar that cleans and bubbles with the best of them, and is generally less drying.
As regards what makes a shaving soap specifically a shaving soap, I think that's an open question, as the very subject matter of this thread shows. I aim for as rich a lather as possible, and add silk (apart from vegan version) and Bentonite clay for extra slip.
As regards what ingredients mean and what they do to, or for you, this is a useful link <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/index.php?nothanks=1">http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/index.php?nothanks=1</a><!-- m -->
I expect Henk may have more to say on the subject.