Has anyone else noticed that cheap shaving foam is becoming harder to come by in the UK?

It doesn't seem like too long ago that all of the major supermarkets stocked value branded shaving foam for less than 50p a can. It would appear (at least around us) only Sainbury's still stock this and even then its often not on the shelves. It also does't appear to particularly available online either.

It it still possible to bulk buy shaving foam for reasonable value in the UK? Where are people getting it from?


One might assume that our little community account for a more than insignificant portion of all the 'value foam' sales in the UK given the quantities we tend to like it in... and the fact that I would imagine most people who actually shave everyday (a dwindling few in this age of beards) treat their skin better than to use the cheapest shaving foam they can find.

Yup I noticed Tesco stop offering it right when I was collecting 400 cans for my Kacie and the giant pie video. To get enough together in time I had to order a bunch from amazon at double or triple the price. I could not find proper wholesale beyond a case of 6

I seem to recall MogAnarchy mentioning in hangout a couple weeks back that one of the £1 stores near her had the decent-sized tins of the cheap stuff at a good price-- although it really seems to be luck of the draw based on where you live, seeing as my local pound shop doesn't seem to stock it.

That said my local chemist, of all places, has a decent price on the brand-name stuff right now. I guess you've no real choice but to keep looking or, if all else fails, shell out for the more expensive stuff.

I've been meaning to do some form of pie science to compare the assorted name brands, but really all I can say for sure is that nivea feels denser (and the cans have an unusual but effective nozzle on them) and gilette feels lighter and softer. Honestly the gold standard for me was Dollar Tree back when I was living in the states, but I only had the chance to use it two or three times.

I'd narrow that down to just "keep looking," even. The more expensive stuff tends to have extra stuff in, like menthol, which experience has taught me I really don't want anywhere near my janglies.

Tescos near us went from white canned 50p ones... to turquoise 50p ones.. then they started running out of that and have their £1 ones still, and lots of stock near us. I order it for delivery saves having to scan it all or making something up when speaking to checkout about what you're using it for Order whatever needed to meet delivery requirements

As for why theyre stopping, i dont think anyone actually uses it to shave anymore when gels foam up when theyre mixed with water, and presume gel has more in the can than foam.

Just a note if you do get it delivered by tesco check all cans are foam, they have gel on the shelves in the same patterned can and often give us gel by mistake

I've noticed this too. Even the big supermarkets only seem to sell branded stuff. Can't find value stuff anywhere. The cheapest I can usually get a tin of foam is about £1. I'm always on the look out for special deals in chemists and supermarkets and then I'll stock up for the next session, which, given how un-regularly I get pied, I usually have a big stash by then.

That said, the best brand I've found is Boots own brand foam. It expands well and usually makes a big pie, especially when the tin is pre-soaked in warm water. Plus it's usually quite cheap.
Worst brand I've found is Gilette sensitive (the one in the black tin). Sure it's cheap, but it's very watery and doesn't make a very good pie.

I also hope one day to test various brands to see their pie making capabilities. Not just for research but also a good excuse to get a good pieing hehehe

I seem to do alright with Sainsburys basics, admittedly I tend to get one or two cans at a time with my online shop and just maintain a strategic reserve which is over 20 cans as they've overflowed the storage box! (if the opportuity arises to play, I'm stocked for several days!)