Thread: Everyone talks about shaving soaps... any opinions on shaving oils?

I too switched to help with lining up the beard. I use shave soap and do a first pass as close to the line as possible. You can actually feel the difference when you get to the edge of the beard. I will then wash off the soap and shave the last little bit with nothing on. After using soap and water the skin is still plenty slick to do that. I haven't had any trouble doing it and lining up the sideburns the same way. The neck line is a little different, but I have coarse hair on my neck that grows 1000 different ways. Usually I can get one pass on the cheek area, but 2-3 on the neck to get it where I like it.

My experience with several shave oils was not good, most ended up ruining the lather and completely gunking up my brush, I mean really clogging my brush - not good. Add in very oily hands, and all around it was a mess.

Having said that, I have used a Pre-Shave oil that neither gunked up my brush, ruined the lather, or slicked up my hands - Castle Forbes Pre-Shave Oil, recommended by Obie. It is water based, really preps the beard well, doesn't interfere with the lather of gunk up the brush, and doesn't leave your hands as if you've dipped them in oil - really the nicest stuff I've used....YMMV.

Shave oils do soften the beard, but so does good conditioner made for hair frankly. My personal reason for stopping their use early on in my wet shave re-acclimation was simply the nasty ring the oily residue left in the sink while, and after shaving. I would face scrub with a musgo presoap, then apply the oil by fingertip, to save my brushes, then shave normally. But since I fill the basin with hot water for the shave that nasty oil ring was just not appreciated.
Yes, could see the hair better, but I never shave by looking at the hair, I shave by feel and post blade residue on the skin after the pass.
So for the last few years, no oil at all before the shave. Conditioner on the face in the shower when I choose to do the scalp, but that's it.
Good luck on your progress.

Originally Posted by Mvcrash

I use shaving oil that I make myself. Softens the skin, makes for a smooth shave and keeps my hands from cracking during the winter as well.

What do you use to make your shave oil?

May try this myself, starting to look at some DIY oils and creams. Thanks

Originally Posted by jlf634

May try this myself, starting to look at some DIY oils and creams. Thanks

Started off using AoS sandalwood pre-shave oil and didn't feel like dropping another $25 for 2oz so, I decided to make my own. This is only my first recipe but it came out nice.

2oz Grapeseed oil
1oz Sweet almond oil
1oz Castor oil
1/2 oz liquid vitamin E
5 drops each of peppermint, tea tree, and cedar essential oils.

Careful with the essential oil...I dropped a half drop on the bathroom floor when I was mixing the oil. As I walked out, the wife was walking in and had a conniption over the smell. She accused me of showering with the christmas tree.