Thread: How I Prepare My Beard

Originally Posted by Razorfeld

Ya know that I've got to chime in with a contrarian view. I'm a cold water shaver due to sensitive skin and a mild case of Rosacea which is acerbated by heat/hot water. Last thing in the morning shower is a cold (as cold as I can stand it) facial rinse. Then I apply a thin coating of hair conditioner to my face and leave my face wet. After lather building and stropping choice of the day I re-wet my face and rub in a small amount of Cremo or Kiss My Face ATG, then lather and shave to my hearts content. I concur with Obie pre-shave oils don't work. This has been just another stream in the river of life. Shave happy.

The cold water shave business is fascinating. I've wondered how it is that so many (most for sure) SR aficionados swear by the need (not just the preference) for hot water treatment of some kind, along with preshave oils, conditioners, lather/relathers, etc., in order to have a smooth, close shave, while some slap some cold water on their face, lather up, and have a smooth, close shave. Can our skins and whiskers be so different? Maybe so. But I ask you experienced shavers: have you tried the cold water shave without pre-treatment? Was it different? In what way?