Thread: Pre shave, non oil based

After greased up brushes, greasy hands, and the feeling that pre-shaves were a waste of time, thanks to Obie, I finally found Castle Forbes Unscented Pre-Shave Oil(water soluble), goes on virtually cleanly, doesn't gum up the brush or the hands, and really preps the beard nicely, only stuff I use now.

One of those things, like the Esbjerg Aftershave Oil, that took a couple of years of trying different products to find the one that works best for your needs, and the CF Pre-Shave Oil is right in the sweet spot for me...YMMV.

Originally Posted by Hirlau

If its not in the skin care section, it will be in the first aid section,, don't ask why, but it is in one of the Wal marts here.

Udderly Smooth was developed by a Pharmacist for Oncology pt's (who can develop cracked dry skin from Chemotherapy/Radiation) and Diabetes pt's (who often develop cracked dry skin to their feet/toes due to peripheral neuropathy/decreased blood flow). It was originally a "barrier cream" that's been tested not to interact with Oncology meds/Radiation/Diabetes meds while at the same time preventing bacteria from moving through it and into the wounds/cracks. It is also hypoallergenic, as particularly cancer pt's can become hypersensitive during treatment. When cancer/diabetes pt's & Oncology nurses discovered how smooth it made their hands they started using it as a general moisturizer (seriously, I remember way back when I was still in school and doing my clinical rotations through various units the Oncology nurses were constantly being asked to "steal" samples for the nurses/residents in other units) the company started making it for general public use as well.

I'd never considered using it for shaving, but can't think of any downsides. Besides being an excellent moisturizer it also inhibits bacterial growth, so it would prevent infections to any little cuts, and decreases bleeding as well.

The three hospitals I work at currently don't use Udderly Smooth anymore (and haven't for several years). The current Barrier Creams they all use are supposed to be "better" but my biggest observation/theory for the change is that they all have a "funky/medical" smell whereas the Udderly Smooth had a much nicer, very light "clean/fresh" scent. The nurses don't "steal" the stuff anymore for personal use and only the pt's that really need a Barrier Cream now get it put on them, whereas with the Udderly Smooth everyone and their grandma wanted it, and to take the rest of the tub home with them.

Thank you for the insight into the product. I have used it as a moisturizer for my arms & liked it. Now that I know of the bacteria fighting qualities,,, then I'm going to use it more.

71L,,, do you know of any success with Udderly Smooth in regard to acne?

None that I've ever heard of... the pt's and nurses I've known who used it were past having any concern for any remaining acne they might have had left, I'm afraid.

I can think of two possibilities:
1. The antibacterial/barrier properties of the cream help kill some of the bacteria or prevent it from spreading around the skin to begin with and your acne gets better.
2. the antibacterial/barrier properties of the cream help kill some of the bacteria on the surface, so the infection decides to grow deeper/move down since it can't go up and your acne actually gets worse. (this is why if it's been more than a certain number of hours or a wound is from a really dirty source -like a deep dog bite- we actually DON'T suture a laceration, or suture it with very loose stitches, so infection won't be trapped deep in and form an abscess.)

3rd that. Headed out to today to buy udderly smooth and noxema!

I'm looking at the directions on line for the use of Udderly smooth and it refers to milking! And some reviews are talking about use during the milking of cows... this is strange! haha

Originally Posted by glytch5

Hello there, I recently was farting around with a bottle of "The art of shaving" pre shave oil...
While I feel the oil does help, even if I use the tiniest bit, and give it plenty of time to absorb into my beard/skin, I can't help but get an oily residue on my brush, and even in my sink sometimes. Gets on my safety razors too... sometimes it gets on my straight razor, but I do not mind that too much, hence the carbon blades.

I saw a video of a guy shaving with a Scottish product called "Execute shave"
Its a pre shave oil, that is not actually oil based and is water soluble.

I have only seen one other product like this, and I believe it was Castle Forbes or something, but that product is 60 dollars!!!!!
I cannot find any of the Execute water soluble stuff here in the USA, and the only source on ebay I found to ship it here (with a high shipping price) is a patchouli scent... i'm pretty sure I have a scent allergy to patchouli so thats a no go.

Can anyone help me with another oil/solution that is water soluble? I've tried pre shave soaps, but they really don't seem to benefit me any better than using a regular soap and washing my face with that. thanks!

I never use oil of any kind with my brushes. I use GTF skinfood which is glycerine based and does almost as well.

Originally Posted by glytch5

3rd that. Headed out to today to buy udderly smooth and noxema!

I'm looking at the directions on line for the use of Udderly smooth and it refers to milking! And some reviews are talking about use during the milking of cows... this is strange! haha

Where do you think the name udderly comes from? It was originally marketed for use on cow udders and teats. I have used it on cows and myself. Good for both. We are just a different animal. I haven't milked cows in years but have a can of Bag Balm I use on my feet.

Very interesting. When I left school I trained as a cowman on a dairy farm in North Wales and we used a lanolin based cream on the teats of cows that were chapped. Never imagined something similar would be usable for us wet shavers.

I have used pre shave oils. The worst one was Bluebeards Revenge. It was really greasy and sticky. It made a total mess of everything it came into contact with.

I still occasionally use Truefitt & Hill pre shave oil. That isn't too greasy, quite light and doesn't 'cling' to everything.

Originally Posted by 71L

Udderly Smooth was developed by a Pharmacist for Oncology pt's (who can develop cracked dry skin from Chemotherapy/Radiation) and Diabetes pt's (who often develop cracked dry skin to their feet/toes due to peripheral neuropathy/decreased blood flow). It was originally a "barrier cream" that's been tested not to interact with Oncology meds/Radiation/Diabetes meds while at the same time preventing bacteria from moving through it and into the wounds/cracks. It is also hypoallergenic, as particularly cancer pt's can become hypersensitive during treatment. When cancer/diabetes pt's & Oncology nurses discovered how smooth it made their hands they started using it as a general moisturizer (seriously, I remember way back when I was still in school and doing my clinical rotations through various units the Oncology nurses were constantly being asked to "steal" samples for the nurses/residents in other units) the company started making it for general public use as well.

I'd never considered using it for shaving, but can't think of any downsides. Besides being an excellent moisturizer it also inhibits bacterial growth, so it would prevent infections to any little cuts, and decreases bleeding as well.

The three hospitals I work at currently don't use Udderly Smooth anymore (and haven't for several years). The current Barrier Creams they all use are supposed to be "better" but my biggest observation/theory for the change is that they all have a "funky/medical" smell whereas the Udderly Smooth had a much nicer, very light "clean/fresh" scent. The nurses don't "steal" the stuff anymore for personal use and only the pt's that really need a Barrier Cream now get it put on them, whereas with the Udderly Smooth everyone and their grandma wanted it, and to take the rest of the tub home with them.

Yeah, that's just not correct.

It was for general/public use before it was used in hospitals. It was developed to protect cows udders and teats. Bag balm was developed for the same purpose and both products worked so well that they were usurped for other purposes.

I am happy to say that I no longer work with udders or teats, but I still use Bag Balm on my butt--well specifically on the chamois cloth of my bike shorts and it works great for that.