I use a safety razor. I use hot water (no shaving cream, soap, gel or foam). Thanks to Jeffrey Tucker's rant against the great shaving cream scam I am free from that awful product.
http://mises.org/daily/4043/The-Sh aving-Cream-Racket
Thanks for the link.
I personally stay away from foam - I've been using soap instead but will at some point try and use only water.
I've heard of people shaving with cold water (the soldiers who fought in WWI had no choice) without issue so it must be possible.