Thread: Does preshave oil damage the brushes?

Oil will gunk the brush (so you will need to clean with say borax more often), and I would think that "10-12 drops at least" seems a bit much (doesn't it accumulate on your blade?)

But if you get good results - that's what really counts

I was also thinking that I did a rough 1st pass (reduction) without oil, and then used just oil (no lathering) for a second pass to get a really close and burn-free shave. Can't remember if this worked well or not

Cheers
Ivo

This has been discussed often and there are many opinions as to whther the oil does any good to your face or whether it harms the brush. As to the face thats a personal preference. For me it did nothing. As far as the brush goes you will find that the manufacturers of the better brushes recommend you do not use it. I guess you will just have to clean your bush that much more often if you do. Whether it actually harms the brush I don't know. I'll defer to the manufacturers.

You may consider using a mild lotion (I like Curel) as a preshave. Does not affect the lather, as oil can, and seems fine with my brushes. No problems at all. Funny, with my straight, I've decided to forego the lotion preshave for a while now, but with DEs and SE Safeties it seemed important.