Thread: AoS Pre Shave Oil

Originally Posted by jasalvas

Well, AoS or not...

Definitely, I think any old oil works, I have used anything from olive oil to castor oil because a friend had some. The AoS oil was nice but not an end all... especially for the price.

I wonder what some oil/ fragrance oddities have been
Truffle oil... now that would be bound to flare some nostrils

I used to use it but it prevents me from stretching properly as the shaved areas remain very slick even after a pass. YMMV as always. I don't use it anymore.

I've seen comments on several sites advising against using pre-shave oils, saying that they will ruin shaving brushes. The concern being that the oil will eventually coat the brush hairs, reducing their ability to hold water.

From a physics perspective, this makes a certain amount of sense. But is this a real world concern?

Originally Posted by Dzanda

I've seen comments on several sites advising against using pre-shave oils, saying that they will ruin shaving brushes. The concern being that the oil will eventually coat the brush hairs, reducing their ability to hold water.

From a physics perspective, this makes a certain amount of sense. But is this a real world concern?

Good point... as you say, that makes sense!

If you clean your brush with an anti-oil soap (mild, obviously), it should be no problem. Once a week, I put a dab of hand-soap in my palm, and work up a lather with my brushes. I use the same soap for this that I use to remove oil from my hands after applying PS Oil to my face.

I used a few different shave oils, and I have to say. I was not impressed. I haven't seen anyone else mention it, but instead of a shave oil, I use a soap. The soap is some kind of lavender, with shea butter and other oils in it. I use it in the shower on my face only before I shave. It has specs of lavender in the soap itself to agitate the skin.
Then after the shower I lather up and shave. I do not have a problem gripping the skin to stretch. It also helps make a more comfortable shave.

I have to agree with many that I started off using oil but pretty much stopped after a while. I have AOS and Truefitt & Hill.
I even tried King of Shave from the drugstore in the past.