Thread: Art of Shaving Pre-Shave Oil

Ok I tried a sample of the Art of Shaving Unscented Pre-Shave Oil. I am not sure how I like it yet.

To me it smells like olive oil.

What are you impressions of it's performance?

Which of their pre-shave oil scents do you like and why?

I tried their pre-shave oil. I found that it was too thick/viscous. Like it was too sticky because it was so thick.

The lemon (I got the full kit) smells great, and I like the cream. So the oil sits unused in the medicine cabinet. Maybe it will be the next generation's rare shaving item that gets people excited...

If you knew the oil types used in most of these pre-shave formulas you would make your own. Most are a combination of very light, highly refined vegetable oils. My son sprang for the AOS pre-shave oil, which I tried while visiting him over the holidays last year. The water in Florida makes a poor lather. He uses distilled water. He also really likes the AOS pre-shave oil. I have not use for it. Nothing surpasses a palm full of pure glycerin (I buy it by the gallon) applied directly to the face before applying lather. It is slick and water soluble. The oil loaded my brush up, requiring me to use mild shampoo to remove it.

Say no to oils.
Say yes to glycerin.

I have the AOS lemon oil and I do like it, but it does cause a lot of oily build-up on my brush and sink. I've been considering making my own pre-shave oil, but the glycerin idea sounds interesting. I'll have to try this for my next shave. I imagine it helps build a good lather on the face as well, since many add glycerin to their lather anyhow.

The Art of Shaving pre-shave oil is olive oil based. It has no synthetic dyes or alcohol and the scents are from natural botanical ingredients. It comes in unscented, lavender, sandalwood and lemon. Some like it and some don't. I do not use their pre-shave oils — Castle Forbes and Edwin Jagger pre-shaves for me — although I have tested them. Scent preference is personal. Make mine lavender and sandalwood. Use an amount the size of a dime or a nickel, massage it in and lather over it. Make sure you wash your hands with soap to avoid the razor slipping in your hands.

For clarification I have tried a few others before. I even make my own. This was a sample given me so I tried it. Having tried it for 4 days not, it's not bad. It is a little thicker than I am used to, but not by much.

Without a doubt the top note scent is olive oil. The "Unscented" oil actually has Lavender, Clove, and Black Pepper Essential oils.

So I made a little change in my shave routine. After showering I added the pre-shave oil and left it on for about ten minutes. In the steamy bathroom the other scents came out, and though faint I liked them.

Now I am looking to add these oils to my homemade shave oil in larger quantities. Amazing what you can find in an unscented oil!

Originally Posted by Gammaray

If you knew the oil types used in most of these pre-shave formulas you would make your own. Most are a combination of very light, highly refined vegetable oils. My son sprang for the AOS pre-shave oil, which I tried while visiting him over the holidays last year. The water in Florida makes a poor lather. He uses distilled water. He also really likes the AOS pre-shave oil. I have not use for it. Nothing surpasses a palm full of pure glycerin (I buy it by the gallon) applied directly to the face before applying lather. It is slick and water soluble. The oil loaded my brush up, requiring me to use mild shampoo to remove it.

Say no to oils.
Say yes to glycerin.

I hope that this thread is not too old to get a response...

I was wondering if it matters what kind of glycerin I use for my pre-shave? I have been using AOS oils (and dislike the thickness and the price) and have been searching for a replacement. I have very sensitive skin. After Gammaray's comment I want to try the glycerin and have noticed that there are different kinds of glycerin to choose from. Just want to make sure before I go purchase some and get the wrong kind.

Hmmmm,never used glycerin I use a pre shave "praraso ''cream and shave cream with the red & white stripes.Not cheap ,but what is now days?When you talk about oils you get just what you pay for do a search on 'CAMELLIA OIL" its been used in china and japan for the face and used on their razors and sumari swords.E. bay has lots of it but its not cheap ,16 oz container is cheaper per ounce.also theres a shave cream called :"CREMO" wal-mart ,drugs stores have it also a product called "SLICK",suppose to be made for shaving heads,but also for all shavings its great stuff---yellow plastic bottle with black top, about $6.it never drys stays slick.
hope this helps.

Originally Posted by ka0s

I hope that this thread is not too old to get a response...

I was wondering if it matters what kind of glycerin I use for my pre-shave? I have been using AOS oils (and dislike the thickness and the price) and have been searching for a replacement. I have very sensitive skin. After Gammaray's comment I want to try the glycerin and have noticed that there are different kinds of glycerin to choose from. Just want to make sure before I go purchase some and get the wrong kind.

The grade is not important. The highest pharmaceutical grade is for human consumption. Just buy a gallon of vegetable based glycerin and apply liberally before each pass. There is a reason why almost every high quality shaving cream or soap is glycerin based. There is no substitute. Get it near your mouth and you will discover why it is also used as a good food sweetener.

Enjoy

where are you getting yours