Thread: Understanding Pre-Shave Oil

After posting back in #34, this thread perked my interest in pre shave oils. I bought some St James of London Mandarin and Patchouli oil to match the cream I already had. I use a very small amount rubbed into my whiskers after a hot flannel. I then face lather. I believe it helps. I'm planning to use it for a month then try the next month without. So much to learn! YMMV!!

Originally Posted by Razorfeld

What I enjoy the most about this forum is that everyone can express their opinions, likes and dislikes in an orderly and gentlemanly fashion. Pre shave oils are one of the many, oft repeated topics as we cycle thru new groups of shavers. It all comes down to perception. If it feels like it gives you a better shave, go with it. Still interested but not good results, try a different one. There are oils and soaps for pre shave treatment, and then there is the area of creams in a tube, jar or, gasp!, a can.

I can't speak for anyone else or a specific product, but I can tell what I do that makes me feel like I've done a good thing for my face. Last thing in the shower is a cold water rinse and a rubbing in the beard of a drop of hair conditioner. Don't dry your face and when ready to shave, rub a small amount of Creamo, Kiss My Face or Aveeno in a can and then lather over it. For me it gives a psychological satisfaction that I've increased the slickness of the shaving medium and I will swear on a month of Sundays that I get a better, smoother shave by doing such.

Here it is again, my favorite anti argument acronym, YMMV.

Shave well, shave safely and have fun.

Yep, what he said.

Originally Posted by lethalgraphix

Yep, what he said.

Wish I could be that succinct.

Use it you like it, don't if you don't.

I have shaved with and without using oils before lathering. I believe it is a personal preference i have found some oils to be too thick and others too thin so it boils down to what each person wants. I have tried adding glycerin to some oils just to see what i could come up with playing around. I have tried olive, almond and tea tree oils just seeing what different blends could be used, call me crazy but i am not trying to re-invent the wheel. I think you should try different soaps and creams and different amounts of water trying to find that perfect shave if there is one out there, almost like looking for that perfect cigar.

I think this guy does a good job in demystifying pre and post shave products and the effects they have on your shaving experience.
He covers a lot of ground in this video and will give you some insight on whats going on with oils, lather, glycerine,water temperature etc. Enjoy.

In the beginning I used pre shave oils, even before straights when I used to DE shave.
I went through loads, the Clarins was my favourite.
Then I bought an expensive shaving brush and thought do I really wanna get oil on this brush.
Now I would never use pre shave oil. In my opinion it dosnt do anything apart from make a mess

Originally Posted by JOB15

In the beginning I used pre shave oils, even before straights when I used to DE shave.
I went through loads, the Clarins was my favourite.
Then I bought an expensive shaving brush and thought do I really wanna get oil on this brush.
Now I would never use pre shave oil. In my opinion it dosnt do anything apart from make a mess

I absolutely felt the same way. Didn't do anything as far as I was concerned except gum up my brush, badly affect my lather, and if it was scented, destroyed the aroma of the soap.

Then I read Obie's post about Castle Forbes Unscented Pre-Shave Oil, very light on the oil, a nice thin balm, couple of dabs on your palms, rub together and I'll tell you, what an amazing difference in terms of beard hydration, lifting the whiskers, no scent, so thin it didn't gum up my brush nor affect the lather - I'm sold on the stuff, expensive, but worth it as far as I'm concerned, YMMV of course.

Very tempting but I only shave once a week after a hot shower so my beard is very willing . (Not sure about the terminology there but it sounds good)

I sometimes use straight glycerine. It's cheap and has the skinfood effect.