Not everyone is the same, different skin types, different facial hair.  There is a learning curve going in to using an old double edge razor.  But that is what makes the outcome so much better.  I can tell you the single best thing you can do is ditch the can of goo.  At your local grocery or drug store you will find a Vangerhagen starter kit (soap, brush, bowl).  It is pretty inexpensive and works really well for what it is.  The pink soap has a weird smell to me, just so you know.
The razor and blades, this is the hard part.  There is no single go to setup as everyones face is different.  I got pretty lucky, the best razor I have is a '57 Gillette that I got off of ebay for $15, and the blades I can use the Wilkinson Swords stocked everywhere, and Gillette yellows made in Russia.  
Razor - one time buy - $15
Blades - Wilkinson Swords - $1.75 for 10 (each blade lasts about a week or so for me)
soap - Van der hagen - $1.59 (lasts months)
As those guys are fond of saying YMMV (your mileage may vary)
Sorry for throwing this thread way off topic.