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.