This question of whether pre-shave products make a difference is an interesting one. I suppose I would agree with most that all you need is a shower and then lather up and shave. Maybe splash some water on before you lather. But I could say the same of aftershaves. All you really need is to rinse off the left over lather and off you go.

But let's be honest here...sometimes we do things for no other reason than because it adds to the ritual of a good shave and because it just feels good. I use Proraso preshave cream (green is my personal favourite). I splash on some warm water, take an almond size dollop of preshave cream, work it into my whiskers and then take a hot facecloth and just hold it up to my face and let the scent of the Proraso drift into my nose and feel the warmth of the facecloth. Hold for 30 - 45 seconds and then I lather up and shave. Does it make a difference? You bet...it just feels great and it improves my overall shaving experience. I also live in a colder climate (Canada eh...) and there is nothing nicer on a cold winter morning.