Thread: pre shave oils?

Question: wouldn't the pre-applied pre-shave oil be emulsified by the brush application of lather and mixed into the lather blend on one's face? If so, would the same effect be realized with simply mixing the pre- shave oil into the lather in one's bowl, mug, or scuttle before applying the blend to one's face?

I use Castile Soap in lieu of traditional pre shave oils. Most of those sold have the essential Organic oils in it. It is sold in most grocery stores and is priced to be very cost effective on a per oz. basis.

Additionally, it can be used as a wash soap. I have also used it to wash my hiking shirts in sinks when I was hiking around Europe. It is versitle in its applications.

Pre shave oils softens the skin and hairs and helps with getting a better shave.

Pabster

Yup, as I understand it to be a Castile soap it must be made from olive oil - one of the suggested oils here to be used as a pre-shave unguent.

I use and sell Truefitt & Hills pso. I never realized the importance and the effectiveness of it until i stopped using it one time. Now I use it with every shave.

Plus it adds to the softness of my skin after the shave, which my wife's legs like.

lowcounrtybarber, like the way you think! really gonna have to try them now!

Anybody used Proraso pre-shave cream? I've been taking some of it and putting it on my face like shave cream and letting it sit for a few min and then put a hot towel on my face for a few min. Is that how its supposed to be used?
At $12 a container + shipping its not bad, but would it be better to go with a pre-shave oil?

Hello, Salazch,

I have used the Proraso. It's good stuff. What I usually did was to apply it, let it sit on my face while I loaded my brush with soap or cream, about two minutes or so, and then build lather directly onto my face. It worked quite well for me. I have also used some soils and gels. Now I don't use any pre-shave products.

Regards,

Obie

Castile soap, eh? I'll have to try a few drops of Dr. Bronner's in my lather! I use that stuff anyway. (Very good soap)

A far as oils go, I've quit using them since I started on the Lucky Tiger stuff--there's just enough residual left after the shower to be emulsify-able. Oil afterwards tends to over gild the lilly for me--the razor slips & slides. One or the other & the Lucky Tiger seems to work the best for me.

Whenever I've used pre-shave oil I have never gotten as close a shave as without.

It's been awhile I'll give it another try next shave...

See also this thread:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/soaps...ve-oils-4.html

Discussion of brands, plus my pseudo-scientific track on burn/bumps (not closeness!) for straight- and cartridge- shaves with and without homemade oil, and a price breakdown of making your own oil.