Pre shave, non oil based

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!

In the beginning I tried oils as a preshave, never really liked any of them.
I found this 4 years ago & use it every shave,,, unless I'm testing a soap or cream for review.

Washes of clean, does not clog razor, water based , nice clean scent & softens the whiskers for me.
At Wal Mart,,, lasts a long time.

Attachment 230227

haha, I thought it was a pet product at first glance. Softens up your beard eh? So what is it generally meant for? Just a moisturizer?
Is it expensive? I may have to run down to the ol' Wal-fart and give er a try tomorrow!

D R Harris has Arlington pre shave. That's off the top of my head so it may be called something close to that. I love it and have been using it for years. Also, the Porasio pre shave creme is in my mind way better than any oil based pre shave.

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Originally Posted by glytch5

haha, I thought it was a pet product at first glance. Softens up your beard eh? So what is it generally meant for? Just a moisturizer?
Is it expensive? I may have to run down to the ol' Wal-fart and give er a try tomorrow!

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It is a moisturizer for the skin, less than $5.00, it works great for dry skin,,, what I really like is the way it easily washes off, with no residue.

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.

Pretty much anything water soluble should rinse off from your razor. The problem with oil based preshave is that the non-polar lipid structure of the oil repels the polar water and makes it bounce right off without actually dissolving any of the preshave. That being said, the entire purpose of soap is for one side to be polar and the other not polar so it can dissolve oil and then be washed away by water (which is why if you wash your hands a lot you get dry hands, because it's stripping the skin's oil), so your soap should be able to take the oil off :/ I would recommend making your own just using things that can dissolve in water but are also slippery/would soften the beard like glycerin.

Noxema, very cheap, and does the job very well. By the way it's the same stuff as Proraso pre/post cream at about 5 times cheaper. It preps your beard without doing the oil thing, and if you get a little razor burn it,ll fix you up after shave too. Been around a long time, give it a try, if you don't like it I,m sure the wife uses it. Tc

I am going to have to try Udderly smooth. Having tried the oils they always frustrate me due to the razor clogging.

Very interesting what can be learned here. I got as an Xmas gift of some Huile de Pre Shave Oil. It's just okay and I'm almost out, so I will definitely try the noxema product and the udderly smooth. You guys are a wealth of information! I Thank you and my face says Thanks too.

I second that, you guys are great, thanks for the info.

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.

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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.

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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

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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!

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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

Afternoon Gents!

Well I did buy the udderly cream product and used it this morning. I have to tell you that it worked much better than the shave oil that I was using. I looked up the shave oil and it was listing for $25.00 USD for 2oz. The udderly cream was $3.29 USD for 12 oz. Not greasy at all and it has probably been one of the best shaves so far with a straight razor. Zero irratation! Very Nice!!!
Next product will be the Noxema cream.

Good to hear. I would not recommend using the Bag Balm mentioned for shaving as it is greasy feeling. Although for butts and feet etc. it works great. Maybe a post shave treatment?????

But then it might wreck the weathered curmudgeon look that I am working on....:D

I tried a new pre shave regiment today. Hit my face with a moisturizing lotion that has shae butter in it. Then hot towel, THEN art of shaving pre shave oil. It worked really well. I in fact ordered some pure shaebutter to try.
I keep forgetting to get udderly smooth while i'm out around town! Tomorrows shave will be with udderly smooth, so long as they still have some in stock. The walmart near is out of stock, I found it at a CVS.

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Originally Posted by 32t

Good to hear. I would not recommend using the Bag Balm mentioned for shaving as it is greasy feeling. Although for butts and feet etc. it works great. Maybe a post shave treatment?????

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Agreed. I did not mean to imply that it would work as a pre-shave. I simply was listing it along with Udderly Smooth as another product that transitioned from the dairy barn to the drug store. I've never tried Bag Balm on my face but would only consider it as a post shave if I had to go out into severe cold right after a shave. Then again, if I were about to go out into severely cold weather, I would not shave!

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Originally Posted by Utopian

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.

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My understanding is that Bill Kennedy, a Pharmacist with a family attachment to the Dairy business, here in Ohio, was indeed developing it for dairy milk cow use, but had the simultaneous idea that its antibacterial and hypoallergenic properties would make it ideal for Hospital use as well. It became incredible popular in the hospitals, which could hardly keep it in stock in the Oncology units. Apparently, the Amish here in Ohio also discovered it, particularly the women quilters, which became their next big customer segment. It really only became mainstream with the public after someone mentioned it on Oprah, at which point his kids were now running the business, and that's when it popped up in Walgreens, CVS, Target, Walmart, etc.

This is a quote from the following link.

Over time, other adjustments have been made to the company’s packaging and promotion efforts. “What we think is funny can be offensive in other cultures,” Kuzior says. “You have to tap dance around the fact that this product was developed for use by dairy cattle. That history may not appeal internationally.”

How Ohio Is Milking Exports | Global Trade Magazine

Their own website mentions it was developed by a Pharmacist, Bill Kennedy.

Attachment 230798

I have no personal experience with the company, just the product back when I was doing clinical rotations - and the information I've given is what we were told about the product. Then again, maybe we were told what we were told because the occasional person might get upset if they're told a doctor ordered dairy cow teat cream for their mother.

In any case, I was just answering Hirlau's question as to why it's stocked in the first aid section of some stores.

The fact that a pharmacist developed it does not in any way alter the fact that he developed it for bovines and that its initial purpose and use was for the protection of teats and udders.

Personally, I would not uses the stuff on my face given some if the ingredients, so I'd rather its use was restricted to cows.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by glytch5

I tried a new pre shave regiment today. Hit my face with a moisturizing lotion that has shae butter in it. Then hot towel, THEN art of shaving pre shave oil. It worked really well. I in fact ordered some pure shaebutter to try.
I keep forgetting to get udderly smooth while i'm out around town! Tomorrows shave will be with udderly smooth, so long as they still have some in stock. The walmart near is out of stock, I found it at a CVS.

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I think wegman's might carry it also...

Pre-shave oils work well if you let them sit on your face for a few minutes while you strop your razor and whip the lather, but then wash off the oil with soap and water before lathering/shaving - IME.

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Originally Posted by 71L

Their own website mentions it was developed by a Pharmacist, Bill Kennedy.

Attachment 230798

I have no personal experience with the company, just the product back when I was doing clinical rotations - and the information I've given is what we were told about the product. Then again, maybe we were told what we were told because the occasional person might get upset if they're told a doctor ordered dairy cow teat cream for their mother.

In any case, I was just answering Hirlau's question as to why it's stocked in the first aid section of some stores.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Utopian

The fact that a pharmacist developed it does not in any way alter the fact that he developed it for bovines and that its initial purpose and use was for the protection of teats and udders.

Personally, I would not uses the stuff on my face given some if the ingredients, so I'd rather its use was restricted to cows.

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We are testing the Udderly here at home for acne,, my son suffers from it & takes medication for it, with little help,,, we started the Udderly first thing in the morning , after a shower & the medicine at night after a shower. This has been going on 6 days with a very noticeable improvement. We will keep this routine going a month to see what happens.

Good Morning Gents!

What a beautiful day it is in Texas. Anyway, I tried the Noxema skin cream that TC had mentioned this morning. It was a great product as well. Nice and smooth. I must say though, the utter cream, in my opinion, is the better product for my face. Each of our faces are different, so you have to go with what works for you. For me it's the utter cream and a few drops of glycerin as a pre-shave works the best for me.

Have a great day!

Thanks guys for the information. This is one of the great things of SRP, how we learn from each other's experience. I use an oil/glycerin pre-shave I mix myself, haven't felt any big problem. No big deal I wipe it off, but I've tried a non-oily pre-shave (besides Proraso) which I've liked it's Crown Shaving Co. Supreme Glide Pre Shave Formula. It is $30.00 for 8oz. But these you guys have mentioned are super as they are more accessible, lower cost and found in local stores. It has no overpowering smell that may interfere with the soap also.

I have only used a homemade pre-shave oil consisting of Grapeseed oil, Castor oil and mint essential oil. I believe that it works for me however it does leave an oily residue in the sink and on the brush. My grandmother uses Udderly Smooth for her dry skin and loves it. I never thought about using it as an pre-shave but I might just have to give it a shot. Thank you for the info

I've tried so many I can't remember them all. AOS oil was horrible, coated everything. Been using Crown pre-shave gel. Gives a slick base without the oil and washes off easily. Works well with creams or soaps. You get 8 ounces so it lasts a long time. Comes with a pump. One pump gives you more then enough for 3 passes. Based on the amount you get, it is the least expensive you will find.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Hirlau

In the beginning I tried oils as a preshave, never really liked any of them.
I found this 4 years ago & use it every shave,,, unless I'm testing a soap or cream for review.

Washes of clean, does not clog razor, water based , nice clean scent & softens the whiskers for me.
At Wal Mart,,, lasts a long time.

Attachment 230227

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Hirlau, when you apply that, do you apply it to your face and then wash it off before lathering, or you you apply, rub it in, then lather + shave?

I have found Crown pre-shave gel to work very well. It comes in a large pump bottle and it does not leave the oily residue on your face, hands, brush or razors. You get a lot for your money and a bottle lasts a long time.

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Originally Posted by jwir3

Hirlau, when you apply that, do you apply it to your face and then wash it off before lathering, or you you apply, rub it in, then lather + shave?

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I apply it before the lather(heavy coat),,, leave it on,,, then lather on top of it.

Quote:

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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.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by 71L

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.)

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by 71L

My understanding is that Bill Kennedy, a Pharmacist with a family attachment to the Dairy business, here in Ohio, was indeed developing it for dairy milk cow use, but had the simultaneous idea that its antibacterial and hypoallergenic properties would make it ideal for Hospital use as well. It became incredible popular in the hospitals, which could hardly keep it in stock in the Oncology units. Apparently, the Amish here in Ohio also discovered it, particularly the women quilters, which became their next big customer segment. It really only became mainstream with the public after someone mentioned it on Oprah, at which point his kids were now running the business, and that's when it popped up in Walgreens, CVS, Target, Walmart, etc.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Hirlau

We are testing the Udderly here at home for acne,, my son suffers from it & takes medication for it, with little help,,, we started the Udderly first thing in the morning , after a shower & the medicine at night after a shower. This has been going on 6 days with a very noticeable improvement. We will keep this routine going a month to see what happens.

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************Update**************

For the past 5 weeks Udderly Smooth has been used in my son's daily regiment for acne.

He has severe acne & has been treated by a dermatologist for the past 2 years, not a lot of progress, but some.

He starts his day with a shower & uses an antibacterial soap(many tried) , acne (over the counter soaps) have been tried also, on his face.
Then he rubs Udderly Smooth into his face.

He ends the day with a shower & antibacterial soap, then a medicine named Tretinoin Cream .025% on his face, prescribed by his dermatologist.

The results have been nothing short of unbelievable, there is a decrease of at least 80% in the surface pimples, blackheads & a 95%
decrease in the below surface "cysts" that really get bad. As a matter of fact, he just got a small cyst yesterday, the first in a month.

I don't know if its the bacteria barrier that Udderly Smooth provides, but for acne treatment,,, we are staying with it.

That's awesome to hear Hirlau! I'm glad it's working so well for your son's acne, and if any of my pt's suffer from bad acne in the future, I can recommend it to them (not many people come to the ER for acne... but if it's an incidental secondary finding that they have severe acne and have tried lots of things without improvement, I can suggest they give the Udderly Smooth a shot.)