Printable View
Been reading about preshave preps and saw some are using baby oil. Noticed a bottle on my wife's side of the sink this morning so thought I'd give it a try... talk about a NO GO! I applied some of it pre-shave and then used my normal Truefitt & Hill Ultimate Comfort and the only thing it did was make the blade easier to rinse. It literally made it harder to move the blade vs smoother. Guess I get to save money and just stick with the cream.
I've never understood the concept of pre shave oil. To me, the benefit of wet shaving is the hydration of the skin and beard. Laying a layer of oil on it can only create a barrier to the water that might help. I've tried oils and found them of no benefit at best. If oils aren't working for you, don't feel obligated to use them. They may just be a waste of your time and money.
All my life I never did any kind of prepping before a shave until I started using a straight. Guess what, having tried a lot of the preps recommended I am back to what I did all my life. That would be wet face, lather up on it and shave. The prepping did nothing for me. The only changes I made since trying straights was to switch from hot water to cold and adding the use of an alum block post shave.
Everyone is different when it comes to what works but there are no magic bullets other than a shave ready razor and proper lathering and shaving techniques. Personally I would just concentrate on those three areas until you are good to go and then add additional steps one at a time to see if they improve your already good shaves.
Bob
@OCDshaver... that's kind of how it felt. The oil was actually BLOCKING the ability of the cream to make for a smooth shave. With that said, I do put a few drops of glycerin in with the cream before lathering, but I'm done with oils.
If it intrigues you later, you can always give oils another go. To me, they make more sense as a POST shave treatment since your skin could use something after the soaps and aftershaves. Straight oil might be a little much but you get my point. My prep consists of a hot shower and a good lather. Good luck!
@OCDshaver... that's actually a very good point. Do you have recommendations for post shave? For my preshave, I do a shower plus conditioner on the face and seems to be working well.
Actually yes. There's a thousand aftershaves. Take your pick. I prefer Captains Choice bay rum most days. But their Lime is great too. Myrsol, Musgo Real, Proraso, Alt Innsbruck, and WM Neumann are all others in my collection. But the best balm I've found (and I've tried just about all of them) is Ems aftershave balm. They are out of Oregon. You can find them at shaveplace.com. I go with the un scented. I finish every shave with Em's balm. It's packed with all sorts of great stuff to soothe and hydrate. They also sell a bay rum essential oil that I buy. I often put a few drops in the bottle of balm and give it a good shake jut to give it a whiff of bay rum scent. It performs better than anything else I've tried.Quote:
Originally Posted by MajorEthanolic
Gentlemen,
Right you are, faces and skins are different. I cannot wear wool, for instance, and have to wash a new dress shirt about five times before I can wear it.
Although I use what I consider to be top line soaps and creams, and am confident in my overall preparation, that extra touch of a quality pre-shave helps further to cushion my skin. I am more concerned with getting a comfortable shave than a perfect shave. When I don't use a pre-shave, I feel it on my skin.
Pre-shave oils don't do much for me except to muck up things. The best pre-shave for me is Castle Forbes, a water soluble light cream that cushions the skin well and helps provide glide for the razor.
Some gentlemen see no need for a pre-shave and some do. Either way, shave comfort is what's important.
And a couple of more suggestions. Pre shave, wet the face and finger rub a small amount of Cremo or Kiss My Face against the grain. Post Shave, Nivea's Aftershave Sensitive Skin Balm.
@razorfeld, @OCDshaver... Ok, so now I'm torn. Found these 2 links:
http://www.amazon.com/Captains-Choic.../dp/B0066GR55K
Amazon.com: nivea aftershave sensitive
Well to further complicate things, I use both an aftershave splash and a balm. But that's my preference. You can decide what works for you. I recommend Ems balm because of what it has in it. But people with oily skin often skip a balm since it might be too slick for them. I have very dry skin and need it.....even if I don't shave. LOL.
Wet face with cold water, lather with cold water/soap or cream. Rub soap/cream in vigorously with the fingertips. Lather once again, shave. Follow with Bay Rum, or whatever. That is my silver bullet to rid myself of the pesky whiskers in the most comfortable and efficient way I've found. YMMV.
Major,Quote:
Originally Posted by MajorEthanolic
Are you discussing pre-shave or post-shave? The links you have provided are for post-shave. I am confused.
And here I thought I was a little crazy ,, I must have everything washed several times before I can wear it , except socks I wear them once, I know crazy but heck bill Clinton never wore underwear twice! As an after shave treatment it's hard to beat Nivea blam. But I'll try the ems and give it a whirl. Tc
sorry pre shave. I tried oils no dice. I do better with just lather
+1 to the Nivea for sensitive skin. The few times I need a balm that one works very well. Tried one other more expensive balm and it did not better a job at more that twice the price.Quote:
Originally Posted by Razorfeld
Bob
Tried pre-shave stuff a few times when I started. You're doing the right thing, checking out what's works for you and learning. I believe this is part of the fun...experimenting with different things for yourself and figuring this out.
Splash of cold water on the face and that'sy pre-shave.
Now, just used Floid AS for the first time...seen it in so many SOTD had to try it...awesome, clean, refreshing for an AS. That, and the Thayers are the two big game changers for me recently...the Thayers more so as it's alcohol free and is great for the skin.
Nivea is available in grocery stores, drugstores and the like. Often coupons for $2 off in Sunday papers. General cost around $5. Lasts a fair amount of time. No shipping costs.Quote:
Originally Posted by MajorEthanolic
Know nothing about the other.
Kinda agree. I think washing the oil off after giving it some time on the skin may be a good approach but I can't see how allowing it to mix with lather would help after all the soap is trying to dissolve the fat/oil on your skin & fluff up the whiskers not slick them down. Non oil based pre shaves would be a different kettle of fish.Quote:
Originally Posted by OCDshaver
I've gotten some great shaves by using baking soda on my face pre shave. Rub the crystals in wet & keep rubbing with water till they dissolve & rinse away. It strips oil off your face & is a good scrub as well tho maybe not for those with sensitive skins.
I suppose if it works for someone, fine. It didn't help me any and I often think it's promoted as a way to sell more product. Bit if others are getting some benefit from it, go for it.Quote:
Originally Posted by onimaru55
I did this a lot in the winter. I'd do a splash cause I like the alcohol feel, then a balm (Proraso) cause the winter is very drying on the skin. Other times I mostly just do a splash.Quote:
Originally Posted by OCDshaver
Another product I've really been enjoying is Razorock Eucalyptus an Tea Tree. Doesn't give you the immediate alcohol feel cause it doesn't have any - but then a niiiiice fresh "menthol" type feel, with some oil to boot.
But back to the OP, I also tried a preshave, and can't really see much benefit. YMMV
Edit: razorock 888 eucalyptus and tea tree had some alcohol, but nothing like your typical aftershave burn.