# Shaving with mouthwash -Why does it work? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 3, 2010, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shaving-with-mouthwash-why-does-it-work/523511 "2010-01-03T15:34:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![palindromemordnilap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/db5fbb/32.png) [@palindromemordnilap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/palindromemordnilap)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2010, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shaving-with-mouthwash-why-does-it-work/523511/21 "2010-01-12T15:36:40Z")
> [@code\_grey](#): > > I don’t know about you, but I am quite capable of shaving just with water (it’s not great, but it is doable). Maybe because I use old, not-so-sharp razor. From this I can infer that with some razors you can shave after applying any liquid to the skin. I shave my face (except chin and upper lip) and my head, and don’t always use shaving cream – just a disposable razor, preferably wet, best with warmer water – and it works OK with no cuts and no great pain. I always shave in the shower now, but I’ve done this at work when I forget to shave at home. I get a better shave with real shaving cream though. Unrelated: I bought a fairly expensive name-brand electric razor and after a couple of weeks decided that it was impossible to get a close shave from it, with or without lather. ---
**Author:** ![rock\_party](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e19b73/32.png) [@rock\_party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rock_party)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2010, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shaving-with-mouthwash-why-does-it-work/523511/22 "2010-01-12T15:41:14Z")
Never shaved with mouthwash and it sounds like it’d be painful. A friend told me about shaving with Noxema a few years ago…really leaves your face feeling smooth! ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2010, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shaving-with-mouthwash-why-does-it-work/523511/23 "2010-01-12T16:43:16Z")
> [@SanDiegoTim](#): > > BTW, he uses mouthwash because it’s cheaper than shaving cream. Cheaper than an 99-cent can of Barbasol? ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2010, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shaving-with-mouthwash-why-does-it-work/523511/24 "2010-01-12T16:48:30Z")
I shave in the shower with bar soap. Occasionally I’ll try a more standard shaving agent, but there’s little enough benefit that I usually default to the bar when it runs out. I have very oily skin so I’m not subject to the drying that makes soap a bad idea for some people. ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2010, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shaving-with-mouthwash-why-does-it-work/523511/25 "2010-01-12T17:51:20Z")
I use skin lotion, lightly and evenly applied, with a blade razor. The lotion acts as a lubricant. Slick, smooth skin afterwards along with a light scent from the lotion. Blade last 2x as long. Win all around. I use the method on my face and my scalp (I’m hairless in the summer - too damn hot especially if deployed). ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2010, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shaving-with-mouthwash-why-does-it-work/523511/26 "2010-01-12T22:56:42Z")
I did try dry shaving a couple times. I mean no shaving cream, no soap, no water - blade razor on dry skin. I wouldn’t recommend it. Basically I used it lightly to take the hair down from 2 day growth to 1 day growth. I can’t think why mouthwash would work for blade shaving. It does have some surfactants in it. ---
**Author:** ![EvilTOJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee59a6/32.png) [@EvilTOJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EvilTOJ)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2010, 10:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shaving-with-mouthwash-why-does-it-work/523511/27 "2010-01-13T10:03:17Z")
The thought of using a substance that burns horribly when exposed to open wounds to shave with doesn’t sound like fun. I think I’ll stick with my DE razor and brush and cup and shaving soap, thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Rafe\_Hollister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/fbc32d/32.png) [@Rafe\_Hollister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rafe_Hollister)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2010, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shaving-with-mouthwash-why-does-it-work/523511/28 "2010-01-13T15:33:35Z")
Another product that works better than regular shave gel/cream is Astroglide “personal lubricant”. Not sure if any similar products work as well, but Astroglide is awesome. ---
**Author:** ![Fubaya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@Fubaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fubaya)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2010, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shaving-with-mouthwash-why-does-it-work/523511/29 "2010-01-13T16:56:41Z")
> [@smithsb](#): > > I use skin lotion, lightly and evenly applied, with a blade razor. The lotion acts as a lubricant. Slick, smooth skin afterwards along with a light scent from the lotion. Blade last 2x as long. Win all around. I use the method on my face and my scalp (I’m hairless in the summer - too damn hot especially if deployed). I use lotion too. It is the smoothest shave I can get, anything else leaves me slightly stubbly. ---
**Author:** ![Fuzzy\_Dunlop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/848f3c/32.png) [@Fuzzy\_Dunlop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuzzy_Dunlop)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2010, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shaving-with-mouthwash-why-does-it-work/523511/30 "2010-01-13T17:03:05Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > WAG, the alcohol \*\*dries out your skin completely which reduces the friction \*\*between the blade and your face. > I’m only guessing this because of a product called “Lectric Shave” which is essentially a bottle of alcohol that you rub on your face before using an electric shaver. > [@Nars\_Glinley](#): > > This is my WAG as well. I’d wager that if you tried one of the alcohol free mouthwashes, you’d regret it. What is this new secret you two seem to know about the positive relationship between drying things and reducing friction? 😕 I’m curious how your goal of keeping things as dry as possible to minimize friction has impacted your love lives. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shaving-with-mouthwash-why-does-it-work/523511.md?page=1)