I use arko, love the stuff,
you getting a good lather up ?,
don’t let it dry out,
shave small fast strokes, couple of inches then switch edge, repeat, rinse, go again,
if your drying out, wash off lather then mix some fresh soap, go again,
other top tips,
shower prior to shaving,
fill the sink with hot water, drop your razor in it, drop your brush in it,
fill bowl or similar with around 10mm of hot water, sit the Arko in it,
take your hot brush, pour the water out the bowl and rub the arko on the brush and your beard after then mix your lather in the bowl.
(i find my second lather is always less effective, to counter i try and shave fast short strokes and finish before the bowl lather has dried out)
i use a slightly costly but very nice Chanel bleu aftershave lotion, bloody pricey but works really well on razor burn
and doesn’t give me spots.
another top tip, buy the Jap ‘feathers blades’, they are so sharp ,i switched to them after around 10 shaves with other brands, by far the best don’t be afraid to use then, they won’t cut your head off.