Collection: Martin De Candre

Martin de Candre is a third-generation French soap maker established in 1974 at the Domaine de Mestré, near the historic Abbey of Fontevraud in the Loire Valley. The company is one of the last artisan producers in France to use the traditional hot process saponification method, transforming vegetable oils into soap through a slow, heat-activated reaction in a cauldron. This approach, combined with a curing period of four to five months, produces a firm, concentrated shaving soap with exceptional lather quality and longevity.

All Martin de Candre shaving soaps are made exclusively from vegetable oils, primarily stearic acid and coconut oil, combined with potassium hydroxide. The formula is vegan, contains no artificial preservatives, and is 100% biodegradable. Fragrances are created in-house using essential oil blends composed by the Martin de Candre perfumers, with each scent developed to complement rather than overpower the shave.

The Original shaving soap was the first in the range, introduced in the 1980s with its distinctive blend of lavender, mint, and rosemary. The collection has since expanded to include Fougère, a classic barbershop-style fragrance with green and woody notes; Vetiver, offering fresh green character with earthy depth; Agrumes, a bright citrus blend featuring grapefruit, bergamot, and lemon; and Rose, a refined floral profile. The Nature variant provides the same lather performance in a fragrance-free formula designed for sensitive skin.

Two anniversary editions, Magellan and Absinthe, were created to mark the brand's 500th anniversary, introducing warm spiced and herbaceous aniseed profiles respectively. Each soap is available in a 200g jar designed for at least a year of daily use, a 50g travel size, and sample envelopes that provide approximately eight to twelve shaves.

Martin de Candre shaving soap requires a shaving brush to generate lather. Wet the brush thoroughly with warm water, shake out the excess, and work the tips into the soap using circular motions until a creamy, well-hydrated lather forms. The soap is highly concentrated, so only a small amount of product is needed to build sufficient lather for a complete shave.

Apply the lather to pre-moistened skin, ensuring the beard is thoroughly covered before shaving. The dense, slick consistency provides cushioning and glide, helping the razor move smoothly across the skin while offering protection during each pass.

After shaving, rinse the jar briefly under cold water to remove excess lather, then leave the lid off to allow the soap to dry between uses. Storing the soap open extends its lifespan and maintains the paste's firmness. Martin de Candre recommends avoiding blades with lubricating strips, as the soap's natural glycerin content provides sufficient slickness without additional coatings.

A 200g jar of Martin de Candre shaving soap typically lasts at least one year with daily shaving. The soap is highly concentrated, requiring only a small amount of product to generate a full, rich lather. The extended curing process creates a firm paste that resists dissolving quickly, contributing to its economical use over time.

The Nature variant is specifically formulated for sensitive skin. It uses the same vegetable oil base and hot process production method as the scented versions but contains no added fragrance or essential oils. For those who can tolerate fragrance, the standard range is made from natural ingredients without artificial additives, though individual sensitivities to essential oils should be considered.

The Original combines lavender, mint, and rosemary for a fresh, aromatic profile. Fougère offers a classic barbershop character with green and woody notes. Vetiver presents fresh green top notes with earthy depth. Agrumes is a bright citrus blend of grapefruit, bergamot, and lemon. Rose delivers a refined floral profile. Magellan features warm spices with clove, cinnamon, and amber. Absinthe offers herbaceous aniseed and fennel notes with subtle mint.

The sample envelope is a soap-impregnated sheet that provides approximately eight to twelve shaves. It allows users to experience the lather quality and fragrance of a particular scent before committing to a full-size jar. To use, wet a section of the sheet, rub it with a damp shaving brush to release the soap, and lather as normal. Sample envelopes are available for most scents in the range.

Martin de Candre shaving soap is produced using traditional hot process saponification in small batches, followed by a curing period of four to five months. This labour-intensive method, combined with the use of vegetable oils and in-house fragrance composition, results in a concentrated soap with exceptional lather quality. The 200g jar's longevity of at least one year with daily use means the cost per shave is comparable to or lower than many conventional shaving soaps.

Yes. While many users lather directly in the jar, the soap can also be loaded onto a brush and built into lather in a separate shaving bowl or on the face. Loading the brush in the jar for 20 to 30 seconds typically transfers enough product for a full shave. Bowl lathering allows for easier control of water content and can be preferred by those who like to dial in their lather consistency precisely.

Yes. All Martin de Candre shaving soaps are made from vegetable oils and contain no animal-derived ingredients. The formula uses stearic acid and coconut oil as its primary fatty acids, combined with potassium hydroxide and glycerin. The fragranced versions contain essential oils, and the entire range is suitable for those following a vegan lifestyle.

Store the soap with the lid off between uses to allow the paste to dry. This prevents the surface from becoming soft or waterlogged and extends the soap's lifespan. After shaving, rinse the jar briefly under cold water to remove excess lather, invert it to drain, and leave it open in a well-ventilated area. Only close the lid when transporting the soap.