Thread: Homemade pre shave oil

Who here makes their own pre shave oil and would you care to share your favorite recipe for it? Here is my pre shave oil recipe.

1/3 castor oil

1/3 grape seed oil

1/3 vitamin E oil

20 drops of sandalwood essential oil

Dont use pre-shave oil but... yours does sound oily and smells good too I bet.

Originally Posted by Gasman

Dont use pre-shave oil but... yours does sound oily and smells good too I bet.

It does smell wonderful and the combination of oils make shaving much more easier than without it.

I'm always interested in home brewed concoctions. Do your measurements of 1/3 = 1/3 cup?
Also, I have not used a pre-shave oil as part of my routine. How long before you shave do you apply the pre-shave oil?

Originally Posted by DouglasTJS

I'm always interested in home brewed concoctions. Do your measurements of 1/3 = 1/3 cup?
Also, I have not used a pre-shave oil as part of my routine. How long before you shave do you apply the pre-shave oil?

I use a 3 ounce travel bottle to hold my oil. I eyeball the levels by thirds. I put on the pre shave oil after my shower. First thing I do after shower is re wet my face with warm water then I apply the oil to my face shortly after. Then I lather my shave soap and apply as usual. I perform this routine for all three passes of my shave. I use a dime sized drop of oil for each pass.

I'm new to Straight razor shaving, and at the moment have a year old beard. I have been using/practicing for when the day comes, on my arms. They are both covered in tattoos. I make my own beard oil, which is basically the same as what you are using as a pre shave oil. I haven't used it as a pre shave oil, but I have been putting 5 drops on each arm after shaving and using an astringent. It works wonders. At the moment it is 1/3 jojoba, 1/3 castor oil, 1/3 coconut oil = 1ounce.(probably a little less than 1/3 castor. its very thick) Its also amazing for the skin on every mans most important body part. Women care more about it looking healthy than most other things, just throwing it out there. I just chimed in, because its worth trying on any of the skin on your body. Some oils don't work well on some people but, give it at try after your shave and see how it works. Some oils leave a shine, but not long, it just takes a bit to absorb into the skin. Just make sure you get the best quality you can when it comes to the oils. Remember Unrefined, Extra Virgin, Cold Pressed that gets you the most nutrients you can get from the oil.

Originally Posted by Kyleybob

I'm new to Straight razor shaving, and at the moment have a year old beard. I have been using/practicing for when the day comes, on my arms. They are both covered in tattoos. I make my own beard oil, which is basically the same as what you are using as a pre shave oil. I haven't used it as a pre shave oil, but I have been putting 5 drops on each arm after shaving and using an astringent. It works wonders. At the moment it is 1/3 jojoba, 1/3 castor oil, 1/3 coconut oil = 1ounce.(probably a little less than 1/3 castor. its very thick) Its also amazing for the skin on every mans most important body part. Women care more about it looking healthy than most other things, just throwing it out there. I just chimed in, because its worth trying on any of the skin on your body. Some oils don't work well on some people but, give it at try after your shave and see how it works. Some oils leave a shine, but not long, it just takes a bit to absorb into the skin. Just make sure you get the best quality you can when it comes to the oils. Remember Unrefined, Extra Virgin, Cold Pressed that gets you the most nutrients you can get from the oil.

Thanks for the info Keyleybob. It’s very helpful to know.

The nice thing about grape seed oil and castor oils are that they do not have much of an aroma on their own.

Another good oil to try is Avocado oil. It is good for sensitive skin. Unlike olive oil, a lather killer high in oleic acid, avocado oil has no oleic acid. It has little aroma.

If you do not mind the odor, a few drops of tea tree oil is a great addition to the mix as it has antiseptic, antibiotic, antiviral.and antifungal properties.

I don't use a pre-shave at all and never have, but this thread has piqued my interest. I do like the sound of making it myself. I will check back as more recipes come in. Thanks for starting this.

I have made my own pre-shave oil for years. I've tried several recipes but have settled on:

2/3 organic grape seed oil
1/3 organic castor oil
15 drops of sandalwood essential oil

I have a small couple of ounce bottle and I just eyeball the 1/3 + 2/3 mix.

I apply the oil before I prepare everything else. So - out of the shower, oil on the face, pre-heat the scuttle and soak the brush in it while I strop up the razor of the day. Build a lather in the scuttle and scrape the face. I do not re-apply the oil for each pass, I only use it on the first pass to soften the beard. The lather continues the softening process for the additional passes.

Adam