AOS Preshave Oil

So I stopped using preshave oils awhile back. I mainly just use Proraso now or nothing at all. I was in the local mall the other day and saw a new AOS store. I decided to try some more of their preshave oil. I figure at the worst it would do nothing and I would be out twenty-five bucks. However, I felt my shave went drastically down hill. I am not leaving out other issues, such as maybe the razor went dull but it happened twice in a row with the two razors I have in my rotation. Though when I applied the oil I did notice that my face turned really red. IDK, maybe I have a skin sensitivity to the ingredients in the oil. Any thoughts? I just hate to waste money.

I used to use preshave oils on a more regular basis. After i got better at lathering, and I should probably mention that I am a cold water shaver and that i face lather, I found that I really didn't need the preshave anymore to get a good shave. it could be possible something in the oil could be irritating your shin or a combination of something in the oil and your shave soap. Try not using it and concentrating on upping your lathering game. maybe you'll decide you don't need the preshave anymore.

Yeah, my lather is fine. I am really thinking it has to be the pre shave oil. My skin reacts to the oil and I do not get the feedback I like while I am using it. I purchased the oil just to provide a little more oomph to the shave. However, it has gotten worst since using it.

Until recently, I used to use AOS Sandlewood preshave oil. It smelled great, but I found that it didn't help improve my shaving. It mostly "got in the way" of my shaving performance. In the end, I got rid of it by mixing a few drops in my shave cream lather each time I shaved; this preshave oil did not play well with soap lather.

I have also tried other preshave oils in the past, after learning to properly build lather, but they didn't help either.

The ingredients in my AOS oil were: castor oil, olive oil, and fragrance. Maybe your skin has a reaction to one or more of these ingredients.

I used to use oil and preshaves and didn't feel it brought anything to the shave. But I would try applying the oil without shaving and see if you get a reaction to it. Or maybe apply it after the shave for a minute or two as the skin will be in the same slightly fragile condition. And wash it off. Maybe a combination of things. Only one way to find out though.

I started with oil and found the same, did little for me. With sensitive skin I played around with various approaches and with a suggestion from my mentor I now do the following. I use MWF with 6 drops of glycerin (and now ad a couple of drops of vitamin E oil - it seems to be soothing my face a little), work up a good lather. Lather my face and then rub it in thoroughly and let it sit while I give my razor a short (40 -50 laps) stropping. Re lather and shave. So far decent results. And finish off with the ubiquitous alum bar for the burn of the day. I use Gold Bond Ultimate for Diabetic Dry Skin. Not because I'm diabetic but because it sure soothes my face.

Yeah, I have used glycerin with better results. I would not really consider myself having sensitive skin. Sort of a wiry beard but I do not have sensitive skin. I shaved without the oil today and got good results like I normally do. I am just gonna ditch it and give it to my brother. He still uses carts so he might find it more useful.

I used their preshave oil for about a month, it did nothing to enhance my shave.
I use the Udderly Smooth cream for a preshave , it's great IMO.

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Originally Posted by Hirlau

I used their preshave oil for about a month, it did nothing to enhance my shave.
I use the Udderly Smooth cream for a preshave , it's great IMO.

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I tried the udder cream, did not like the smell. :shrug: It reminded me of Maca Root shaving cream, which I dislike. It is not an awful smell but not fun for the nose. Sad too, it is a great shaving cream for the price. I think Proraso will be my drug of choice. I guess what works for some cannot work for all.

I've never tried the Proraso, but since you said it works, I'm gonna order some next month.
I really love the Maca Root shave cream, finished my container about 2 months ago, I need to get more.

I found the AOS PreShaveOil not to enhance my shave. I have not tried any other PSOs since I was so underwhelmed by the AOS experience. I guess the use of PSOs is a YMMV.

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Originally Posted by Hirlau

I've never tried the Proraso, but since you said it works, I'm gonna order some next month.
I really love the Maca Root shave cream, finished my container about 2 months ago, I need to get more.

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Proraso is good but it is essentially Noxema, just a lot more concentrated. I really dig the smell of the white version over the green. The green gives you that extra menthol kick though.

Well, it was me not the oil. After a few shaves w/o the oil I realized the edge was lacking. Not only that but the strop with diamond spray was off too. Which brings up another point, it would pass the HHT but shave terribly. Anyway, AOS Preshave works, making your face feel great post shave. It is still gunky. You live and learn.

I enjoy AOS sandalwood scent, I have the pre-shave oil, cream and balm. I use them all together, however my opinion is that their oil is way too thick and is difficult to apply. For oily skin such as mine, I breakout if I use it more than 2 consecutive days straight.

I never found it too difficult to apply but I agree with how it can make you break out. Not the best option for folks with oily skin.