# Shave with Mouthwash?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shave-with-mouthwash/941295
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [May 3, 2021, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shave-with-mouthwash/941295 "2021-05-03T15:28:43Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@19USMC69](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/19USMC69)
#### Post date: [May 3, 2021, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shave-with-mouthwash/941295/1 "2021-05-03T15:28:43Z")
Several years ago in the YMCA locker room I noticed a guy shaving without any shaving cream. He told me he’s used mouthwash ever since a business trip on which he found himself without regular shaving cream. Long story short I’ve tried mouthwash on an otherwise dry face a few times. It actually works pretty well. Anyone know why?
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### Author:  [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)
#### Post date: [May 3, 2021, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shave-with-mouthwash/941295/2 "2021-05-03T15:34:38Z")
I humbly make reference to _this_ thread:
> [@Shaving with mouthwash -Why does it work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shaving-with-mouthwash-why-does-it-work/523511/):
>
> Couple years back I see this older guy at the Y shaving his head and face, apparently dry (no cream, soap, etc.). Inquiring, he tells me he’s been shaving for years with nothing but mouthwash, preferably one with a plaque remover. Tells me it works best on a dry face. So, I try it. Splash a bit on my hands, rub on my face and damn if it doesn’t work. Smooth as silk and no burn whatsoever. Anyone know what’s in mouthwash that makes it suitable for shaving? BTW, he uses mouthwash because it…
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### Author:  [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)
#### Post date: [May 3, 2021, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shave-with-mouthwash/941295/3 "2021-05-03T15:51:14Z")
Back before I grew out my beard, when I would travel for work and wanting to pack light, I would use the conditioner provided by the hotel, as a shaving lubricant. Always worked fine.
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### Author:  [@19USMC69](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/19USMC69)
#### Post date: [May 3, 2021, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shave-with-mouthwash/941295/4 "2021-05-03T16:04:17Z")
Duh! I forgot about posting this before.
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### Author:  [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)
#### Post date: [May 3, 2021, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shave-with-mouthwash/941295/5 "2021-05-03T23:28:30Z")
Ordinary hand soap with water work substantially as well as any dedicated shaving cream / foam / etc. In a pinch, water alone works adequately. I learned that out in the field with the Army.
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### Author:  [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)
#### Post date: [May 4, 2021, 8:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shave-with-mouthwash/941295/6 "2021-05-04T08:02:18Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#):
>
> Ordinary hand soap
This. Just lather up with plain old hand soap, and it works just fine.
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### Author:  [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)
#### Post date: [May 4, 2021, 8:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shave-with-mouthwash/941295/7 "2021-05-04T08:09:53Z")
As I understand it, shaving cream essentially has two functions.
The first is as lubricant and pretty much anything that is slippery will work in that respect. Conditioner works well because it’s oily, but even plain water is of some use.
The second is as an anti-bacterial to stop bacteria infecting any minor grazes and cuts you might cause to yourself while shaving.
It’s not particularly surprising that mouthwash would fulfil both of these functions.
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### Author:  [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)
#### Post date: [May 4, 2021, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shave-with-mouthwash/941295/8 "2021-05-04T08:12:19Z")
You might naturally think that it works as well the other way round but no, using shaving cream for mouthwash is not a good idea.
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### Author:  [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)
#### Post date: [May 4, 2021, 9:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shave-with-mouthwash/941295/9 "2021-05-04T09:21:34Z")
What if you have a furry tongue?
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### Author:  [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)
#### Post date: [May 4, 2021, 10:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shave-with-mouthwash/941295/10 "2021-05-04T10:20:48Z")
I think the foam in shaving cream makes the hairs stand up straight for a closer shave.
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### Author:  [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)
#### Post date: [May 4, 2021, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shave-with-mouthwash/941295/11 "2021-05-04T12:23:45Z")
> [@TriPolar](#):
>
> You might naturally think that it works as well the other way round but no, using shaving cream for mouthwash is not a good idea.
How about Lectric Shave?
> **[Williams Lectric Shave, 7 Ounce : Amazon.ca: Beauty & Personal Care](https://www.amazon.ca/Williams-Lectric-Shave-7-Ounce/dp/B0013NB7DW)**
>
> Electric razor pre-shave for an ultra smooth shave.
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### Author:  [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)
#### Post date: [May 4, 2021, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shave-with-mouthwash/941295/12 "2021-05-04T15:28:32Z")
> [@19USMC69](#):
>
> Duh! I forgot about posting this before.
Wait…
So, are @19USMC69 and @SanDiegoTim the same person?
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### Author:  [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)
#### Post date: [May 4, 2021, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shave-with-mouthwash/941295/13 "2021-05-04T15:36:10Z")
Seems to be. There are several posters here who created new accounts after the Discourse transition when they were unable to login to their old VBulletin account. It’s a shame, as @engineer_comp_geek could have helped them but no one can combine accounts now.
BTW, I can maybe see using mouthwash if you’re stuck without access to something better like actual shaving cream. But why would you continue to use it when you have access to stores where you can get real shaving cream?
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### Author:  [@Limmin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Limmin)
#### Post date: [May 4, 2021, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shave-with-mouthwash/941295/14 "2021-05-04T16:18:38Z")
> [@Ike\_Witt](#):
>
> How about Lectric Shave?
If you must choose just one liquid to help you with two toiletry functions, well, using mouthwash to shave would give your face an odd smell. But, trying to wash your mouth out with 'Lectric Shave might be…a terrible mistake.
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### Author:  [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)
#### Post date: [May 4, 2021, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shave-with-mouthwash/941295/15 "2021-05-04T17:12:49Z")
It could be worse. Those of us of a certain age may remember these products.
My dad used to go to work long pre-dawn. And often did his getting ready half-asleep and in the dark to avoid waking the rest of us.
Anyhow, back in the early 60s when slicked-back greasy hair was the style he use Gleem brand toothpaste and Brylcreem hair goop.
Both of which were white tubes with a prominent red stripe. Which squeezed out a white pasty stuff.
You can see where this is going. 😝
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### Author:  [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)
#### Post date: [May 4, 2021, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shave-with-mouthwash/941295/16 "2021-05-04T18:01:57Z")
That is so funny because just the other morning I noticed how similar the tube of Auqafresh was to the tube of Voltaren. That would be a bad mistake.
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### Author:  [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)
#### Post date: [May 4, 2021, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shave-with-mouthwash/941295/17 "2021-05-04T18:18:19Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#):
>
> Ordinary hand soap with water work substantially as well as any dedicated shaving cream / foam / etc. In a pinch, water alone works adequately. I learned that out in the field with the Army.
In the movie _Pitch Black_ I think it was, Vin Diesel’s character shaves his head using motor oil and a metal shiv. I wonder if anyone tried that in real life…
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### Author:  [@19USMC69](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/19USMC69)
#### Post date: [May 4, 2021, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shave-with-mouthwash/941295/18 "2021-05-04T19:41:51Z")
Yes. When things changed at Straight Dope it wouldn’t let me use my original login (SDT).
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### Author:  [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)
#### Post date: [May 4, 2021, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shave-with-mouthwash/941295/19 "2021-05-04T23:29:07Z")
> [@19USMC69](#):
>
> Duh! I forgot about posting this before.
Meh, it happens.
2003:
> [@Why Galileo? Why not Galilei?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-galileo-why-not-galilei/151144):
>
> Why do we remember Galileo Galilei as “Galileo”, his first name, and not as “Galilei”, his last name? We remember the other astronomy greats of that time by their last names: Newton, Brahe, Kepler (or a Latinized version of the last name, in the case of Copernicus). So why the special treatment for Galileo? Was he just a back-slapping, friendly guy: “No, no, just call me Galileo, thanks!” Or is the “-leo” ending easier for anglos than the “-lei” ending? Any thoughts? confused
2016:
> [@Why do we call Galileo by his first name?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-call-galileo-by-his-first-name/774649):
>
> When we talk about the great early astronomers, we refer to Brahe, Copernicus and Newton, not Tycho, Nicholas and Isaac. But we always refer to Galileo Galilei as Galileo, not Galilei. How come? confused
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### Author:  [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)
#### Post date: [May 5, 2021, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shave-with-mouthwash/941295/20 "2021-05-05T00:56:05Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#):
>
> Meh, it happens.
The older I get the more often I have to preface everything I say with “I hope I haven’t told you this before, feel free to tell me if I have, but anyway…”
What concerns me is that of course people are often too polite to say “actually you have told me this before”. But you can see the pained look on their face.
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