Thread: Home mix pre shave oil

Okay so, my beard oil is roughly 1 part hemp seed oil, 2 parts grape seed oil, then a little bit of peppermint, Tea Tree, Rosewood, Sandalwood, Cedarwood, Pine needle, turmeric and if I am feeling saucy ylang ylang or in the summer lemon eucalyptus (since it has been proven more effective than bug spray scientifically in a peer reviewed study). Sometimes a little lavendar for an undertone of cleanliness.

Aside from the peppermint would that make a good pre and or post shave oil?

Originally Posted by Fezzik77

Okay so, my beard oil is roughly 1 part hemp seed oil, 2 parts grape seed oil, then a little bit of peppermint, Tea Tree, Rosewood, Sandalwood, Cedarwood, Pine needle, turmeric and if I am feeling saucy ylang ylang or in the summer lemon eucalyptus (since it has been proven more effective than bug spray scientifically in a peer reviewed study). Sometimes a little lavendar for an undertone of cleanliness.

Aside from the peppermint would that make a good pre and or post shave oil?

This sounds like a good mix. I don't think there is anything wrong with the peppermint in that mix. One of the most important EO's that I put in my PS oil is the Pine needle. Pine Needle is an astringent, so I dont feel the need to have a styptic pen near. In case of sloppy hands, and I nick myself, the pine needle in the PS oil helps stop bleeding and heals quicker. Most times I have not even noticed a nick until lunch when and I see some little red lines on my face while washing my hands.

I always include some eucalyptus in my PS. Because I shave in the morning I like the scent and it wakes me up in the morning and clears my sinuses at the same time. I would imagine having Peppermint in your mix would have a similar effect.

Originally Posted by freddi

This sounds like a good mix. I don't think there is anything wrong with the peppermint in that mix. One of the most important EO's that I put in my PS oil is the Pine needle. Pine Needle is an astringent, so I dont feel the need to have a styptic pen near. In case of sloppy hands, and I nick myself, the pine needle in the PS oil helps stop bleeding and heals quicker. Most times I have not even noticed a nick until lunch when and I see some little red lines on my face while washing my hands.

I always include some eucalyptus in my PS. Because I shave in the morning I like the scent and it wakes me up in the morning and clears my sinuses at the same time. I would imagine having Peppermint in your mix would have a similar effect.

Only thing about peppermint is it has that tingly effect that increases blood flow to the skin. It feels great but I have to think that on a nick or even a razor burn it would sting.

I have it in my beard oil and mustache wax to increase growth and because it smells great and I like having a little sweet in with all the earthy.

Hemp seed would be pretty awesome given all the vitamins it has naturally. Seems like it would be an awesome carrier oil for a Post Shave oil.

What is the benefit of using a preshave oil?

Originally Posted by luckisastateofmind

What is the benefit of using a preshave oil?

Benefit of pre shave oil is a better glide with the razor and I believe it helps keep or replace some of the oils that get stripped from the skin with the razor. As far as I can tell either you like it or you don't some people wont mess with it because it is another step. I personally enjoy it and I believe it does aide me so I continue to use it. I say it is at least worth a shot if you don't like it then that is ok too

My mixture is as follows:

- .5 part Glycerin
- 1 part EVOO
- 2 parts almond oil
- 2 parts grape seed oil
- 2 parts jojoba oil
- .5 part Liquid Vitamin E.

I doubt if this oil makes the shave significantly better. It should help hydrate the whiskers. It is good for the skin with moisturizing, cleansing, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial qualities. I bought a bottle of each of the ingredients (except the EVOO which is in the kitchen) from Bulk Apothecary a year or so ago. Not very expensive and it makes a lot. I throw in a few drops of lime and/or orange essential oil for a little fragrance.

Rr

Originally Posted by TomSlick

My mixture is as follows:

- .5 part Glycerin
- 1 part EVOO
- 2 parts almond oil
- 2 parts grape seed oil
- 2 parts jojoba oil
- .5 part Liquid Vitamin E.

I doubt if this oil makes the shave significantly better. It should help hydrate the whiskers. It is good for the skin with moisturizing, cleansing, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial qualities. I bought a bottle of each of the ingredients (except the EVOO which is in the kitchen) from Bulk Apothecary a year or so ago. Not very expensive and it makes a lot. I throw in a few drops of lime and/or orange essential oil for a little fragrance.

I've been using something very close to your recipe since spring and I love it. I think I do get a little extra slickness during shave but mostly found that it does wonders for my ancient skin, or so says the wife! I put it on at the end of my shower and leave it on thru my shave setup and prep, then just apply lather right over it and have never had a problem with any soap so far.
P.S. I don't use glycerin! What does that do/add?

Glycerin is a humectant; it attracts water. It is also supposed to help seal it in the skin. I would think that it would also help soften/moisturizer the hairs.

I also have a homemade balm which does a great job. I use other balms, but the best and longest post shave feel is from the homemade. Pre-shave oil and balm make the the post shave effect of my shaving soap irrelevant.

I started using straight grapeseed oil about a year ago,I find it helps soften your whiskers and helps your blade glide,I also noticed that your soap dosent seem to dry out on your skin.I looked at a bunch of preshave oil ingredients and grapeseed oil steamed to be the main ingredient in all I looked at,My wife had a bottle in the kitchen so I got a small bottle a pilfered her stock.

Just used a pre shave oil today for the first time. Went with the cold pressed avocado oil I have sitting on the kitchen counter that i got from costco. It seemed to work really well and my face feels better. May be a placebo effect but I'm gonna keep at it. Was thinking I could throw in some EO of my liking to spice it up some.