Is Tabac Shaving Soap Any Good? (Head-to-Head Vs Popular Brands)

If you are the kind of guy that likes to wet shave, your skin needs a rich, protective lather. A good shaving soap should give you a healthy lather to shield your skin from damage and irritation.

When it comes to shaving soaps, you can’t ever go wrong with a classic original. For over six decades, Tabac Original Shaving Soap has consistently been at the top of its game in men’s grooming because of its great safeguarding lather, signature scent, and its posh, refillable ceramic bowl.

Read on to see what keeps shavers coming back to Tabac Shaving Soap year after year.

Is Tabac good for shaving?

Tabac Original Shaving Soap is often found on top-selling lists for so many reasons. The thick lather not only coats and protects skin from damage but it also softens your facial hairs to get them ready for shaving.

Let’s break down Tabac Original Shaving Soap further to determine the following:

• Availability
• Scent
• Suitability for your skin type

Availability

You won’t have a hard time finding Tabac Original Shaving Soap because you can order it online from sites like Amazon, various barber and shaving supply websites, and in person at stores like Sephora and Ulta.

Scent

Tabac Original Shaving Soap has hints of citrus from lemon, a floral touch with geranium and lavender, and the earthy scent of musk and sandalwood. It is a complex blend of scents that come together to create a rich, masculine scent.

Suitability for your skin type

If you have sensitive skin, Tabac Original Shaving Soap is not for you. The strong scent may irritate those with sensitive skin. In fact, it comes with a safety warning for anyone with sensitive skin.

Tabac shaving soap vs. other brands

Tabac Original Shaving Soap started in 1959 when its German parent company, Mäurer & Wirtz, decided to add the product to its existing line of curd, fine, and soft soaps that were sold in neighborhood markets.

Here’s a list of the products in the lineup:

• Tabac Original Shaving Soap with Bowl
• Tabac Original Shaving Soap Refill
• Tabac After Shave Balm
• Tabac Original After Shave Splash
• Tabac Original After Shave Lotion
• Tabac Shaving Cream
• Tabac Shaving Soap Stick

Tabac Original Shaving Soap with Bowl

A traditional shaving soap that lathers well, creating a thick, protective shaving surface. It has a citrusy, earthy, floral scent. It is designed to be used with a shaving brush. The ceramic jar is refillable and can easily be thrown in a gym bag in case you need to shave on the fly.

Tabac Original Shaving Soap Refill

All the amazing qualities of the Tabac Original Shaving Soap in refill form to replenish that classy ceramic jar.

Tabac After Shave Balm

This alcohol-free shave balm boasts a blend of zesty and fiery accents, floral notes, and woodsy herbs. It comes in a 2.5 oz tube to take on the go to help you freshen up when you’re mobile.

Tabac Original After Shave Splash

The same great Tabac scent, only it is alcohol-based. It will tone and tighten your skin and leave it smelling great. Since it contains alcohol, it cannot be shipped internationally.

Tabac Original After Shave Lotion

The great Tabac scent in an alcohol-based lotion form. Apply it after shaving to tone and tighten your skin and feel refreshed. No international shipping because it’s alcohol-based.

Tabac Shaving Cream

The same great scent as the Original Tabac Shaving Soap in a creme format in a 3.4 oz tube. 

Tabac Shaving Soap Stick

This top-seller seems to always be on the sold-out list. It has all the same great qualities as the original shaving soap but in stick form. This 3.5 oz stick can easily be thrown in your bag to take with you.

All of these products are available for nationwide shipping, except for the alcohol-based ones.

Here’s how Tabac Original Shaving Soap stacks up to two other shaving soaps:

Tabac Original Shaving Soap

• Ingredients – tallow-based; see full ingredient list here.
• Performance – has been a favorite of wet shavers since 1959 and consistently makes top-selling lists
• Cost – the ceramic jar is about $25 for 4.4 oz
• Value – a great price for the original and the refills, which retail for about $18
• Availability – all of the products are available nationwide except the alcohol-based ones
• Fragrance – citrus, earthy, and floral

Caswell- Massey Shave Soap 

• Ingredients – plant-based and chemical free. Here’s a full ingredient list.
• Performance – shavers like the lather, scent, and cool refreshing feeling after shaving
• Cost – $34 for a 5.2 oz tin
• Value – the concentrated formula is designed to last longer 
• Availability – available for order online from various sites; also Sephora and Ulta
• Fragrance – comes with fragrances like almond, Newport, woodgrain, and a few others

Gentlemen’s Nod Jackie Luxury Shaving Soap

• Ingredients – a full ingredient list can be found here
• Performance – lathers quickly and can be rehydrated to generate more lather. The cooling qualities last up to 30 minutes after use.
• Cost – about $25 for a 5 oz can
• Value – price is consistent with others in the category
• Availability – available online 
• Fragrance – it has the smell of fresh-cut grass

If you’re unsure what to use, you should take the opportunity to try a few shave soaps to decide which one will work best for you.

Who makes Tabac shaving soap?

Tabac Original Shaving Soap is made by the German company, Mäurer & Wirtz. The company was founded in 1845 and began by making curd, fine, and soft soaps before moving on to laundry detergent and beauty products.

How do you lather Tabac shaving soap?

If you are a first-time Tabac Original Shaving Soap user, follow these steps:

1. Soak your shaving brush (badger hair is best)  in water.
2. Swirl your brush on the shaving soap to create a lather. 
3. Apply lather to your face using your brush (or hands if you prefer).

Here’s a great video demonstrating how to lather Tabac Original Shaving Soap.

Is Tabac tallow based?

Yes. Tabac has a base made from tallow which helps the lather last longer and lubricates against cuts and nicks. The natural lubricating qualities help your razor glide smoothly over your skin.

Is Tabac triple-milled?

Tabac is indeed triple-milled, which means it goes through the French process of soap being sent through stainless steel rollers no less than three times during production.

Is Tabac shaving soap available everywhere?

All Tabac products are available in stores and on various online websites. 

Note: Any alcohol-based products are not eligible for international shipping. 

The best Tabac shaving soaps

Here are a few of the best-rated Tabac shaving soaps:

Grooming Dept Shaving Soap, Le Tabac

A traditional lathering shaving soap made from a tallow base with the scent of tobacco leaves, cherry, and vanilla. It also has lanolin and a combination of oils, milks, and butters to help generate a rich lather. A 4 oz jar costs $27.

Wholly Kaw Shaving Soap, Belgravia

This traditional lathering soap is offered in both vegan and tallow versions and even uses donkey milk, water buffalo milk, and shea butter to create a rich lather. The citrus, woodsy, and spicey musk scent will not disappoint. A 4 oz bar is about $22.

Tabac shaving soap alternatives

If Tabac shaving soaps aren’t available in your area, or you’d rather try a different product that has almost the same qualities as Tabac, here are a few options:

WCS Duck Fat Shaving Soap, Oriental

It has a duck fat base and is chock full of skin-nourishing oils like castor, jojoba, and palm. A 5 oz tin is about $25. The light, rose hints of exotic, warm woods complement the scent. It is available online.

However, this soap craves moisture, so you will need to use a lot of water.

Mitchell’s Wool Fat Shaving Soap with Ceramic Bowl

This lanolin-based soap is known for its great lathering and ability to protect your skin. Unlike Tabac, it is ideal for anyone with sensitive skin. It is, however,  on the pricier side and will run you about $37 for a 4.4 oz jar.

When it comes to Tabac Original Shaving soap, it has proven itself to be a top contender. However, if you find it’s not to your liking, there are many other options to choose from.