Thread: Witch hazel as pre-shave treatment?

Today I skipped my morning shower, having showered before bead last night (I had done a bunch of yard work and didn't want to go to bed covered in grass clippings and sweat). Just as an experiment, I wet my face with witch hazel, rather than water, and let it soak for a minute or two before putting on my pre-shave oil. Then I shaved as normal.

It seemed like I got less irritation on my neck and jawline than I usually do with non-showered shaves, but it could just be placebo.

Has anyone else tried or use WH as a pre-shave, rather than or in addition to post shave?

Not yet but will tomorrow morning. Why not?

Haven't tried it but I know to never go out and mow the yard and work up a sweat AFTER shaving. Learned that the hard way. Ha.

Originally Posted by Gasman

Haven't tried it but I know to never go out and mow the yard and work up a sweat AFTER shaving. Learned that the hard way. Ha.

Ha,, Yeh Honey I Cant Do Nothing For The Next 6 Hrs,, Man Must Enjoy His Shave, Ha,, Ty

It happened to me a couple of days ago. I washed my beard and face, just to untangle and refresh it a bit. Afterwards, i massaged some of the WH on the hair just because of the smell and the moisture, and it felt softer than ever before. Tried shaving couple of minutes later , being curious as I am. It did wonders.

I haven't tried this, but I never shower directly before a shave. I did at first because of all the advice I read. Then just like you one day I had to forgo the shower and the shave seemed better.

I think for me, whilst the shower did indeed soften the hair it seemed to also make my skin more prone to irritation from the shave.

Now I don't use a pre-shave or anything else I just splash water on my face whilst washing it and then lather up and go. It really seems to work for me. Also showering the night before allows me to sleep in for an extra few minutes which is always a bonus.

The thing with this hobby is to just keep trying different things. What works for one may not necessarily work for another.

Having read this post though I might have to go and get some witch hazel and give that a try.

Been at this for a few years (nine) now and never thought about WH as a pre-shave, I have used it as an after shave for several years. Guess I have a "let's see how this works" moment in the near future............

Can't see the utility of WH as a pre shave as it seems to be the antidote to inflamed or irritated skin which is why I think it is so loved as an after shave treatment . For me pre shaving for straights boils down to softening the stubble and I've only found a hot towel, as hot as you can take it or Proraso crème as the most effective. A pre-shave crème or lotion used in conjunction with a hot towel can be entertaining and pleasant .

Way back one of the WH manufactures promoted a WH facial treatment specifically for barber's to use with clients .

1. Hot steam towel on the face " to open the pores"
2. Remove the steam towel and dry the face.
3. Wet a dry towel completely with WH and place on the face.
4. On top of the WH towel place a hot steam towel or more, let steam .

This facial was directly from a WH manufacturer's poster for barber shops so I don't know whether it works for anything or if it was even used by barber's widely in the past.

Witchazel was used by native americans for hundreds of years. It's one of those preps that has many uses from astringent to anti inflammatory and toner and for stopping minor bleeding so I don't see why it wouldn't help to prep the skin for shaving and help tone it after

Aloha!

Been there done that. As a natural astringent, it's a good pre-shave for some, not for others. This can be subjective and based on a particular person's skin. Some will benefit, others will not. In a tropical climate like Hawaii or Florida with heat and humidity, it does not hurt to reduce the pores a bit before shaving, and if your Witch Hazel has alcohol in it, then there is the additional benefit of keeping bacteria and other irritants at bay during the shave.

If it works for you, fabulous. It's natural, it's medicinal, and there is nothing wrong with using it pre and post shave.

-Zip