Thread: pre shave oils?

Originally Posted by Benjybhoy

I've always been told to aviod PSO's if you use a brush as the PSO leaves a film of oil on the badger hair which is very bad for the brush.
instead apply a small amount of Skin Food - coral smells nice; the skin food acts as a lubricant but does not damage the badger hair - anyone else agree?

As with all statements of this type, the first question is: "Told by whom?"

I made some last night that works pretty well but that is coming from someone that is new to straight shaving and has not tried any other PSOs. I used the method mentioned on the first page of this thread 2:1 castor oil/olive oil. I also put in some glycerin and used a lime/tangerine EO that I had... and some vitamin E oil. I put it all in an old medicine bottle and shook it up.

Just a little in the palm and massage onto the face after a hot shower with a natural facial scrub.

This is a great forum for those of us who love preshave oil.. When I started with a straight 6 mos ago my wife had bought me a 24.00 AOS travel kit with Shave Creame / Balm / Shave Oil and a small brush. (best value AOS offers) I ran out and bought their full size kit. I have been shaving with preshave oil from the begining. I have tried to shave without it, however the shaves are much less comfortable for me.

I have had the opportunity to try several different preshave oils now. My favorite three of those I have tried include Art of Shaving, The Body Shop preshave oil and Origins Easy Glyde. The oil that thus far has been the most effective for my beard is "Origins" easy glide, a mix of essential plant oils. It advertises "friction free shaving" and I swear it's pretty close. I am anxious to try some Castle Forbes which seems to be mark that everyone else strives for. If Castle Forbes is better than Origins...then I have to have some cause I think Origins Easy Glyde is great!

I have reviewed all three of these products in the review section of SRP for Preshave Oils and Creams. I invite you all to add comments or your own reviews of preshave oils you have experienced! Very informative forum. thankyou.

For those of you new to shaving or this part of straight razor shaving, don't under estimate the value of beard preparation before attacking your face with a sharp or semi-sharp straight razor. The oil helps soften the beard and actually straightens the hairs as they swell. It also allows the blade to glyde over the skin much easier than without it. If you haven't tried it, you should and you'll be pleasantly surprised with the results.

Have a great day.
Thanks for everyones comments.. I'm anxious to try the recipies I have read about on the forum..

Maq

On the cheap I just use some olive oil with lemon peel infused, I have a light beard though, I also don't like the smell of chemicals. It definitely helps the blade glide smells great too.

I use Proraso Pre/Post shave as a pre shave. I don't use it for the extra glide of the razor, but to moisturize my skin. Normally my skin is very dry after a shave no matter what soap or cream I use, but with Proraso as pre shave I don't have this problem anymore.

Originally Posted by JohnDee

I use Proraso Pre/Post shave as a pre shave. I don't use it for the extra glide of the razor, but to moisturize my skin. Normally my skin is very dry after a shave no matter what soap or cream I use, but with Proraso as pre shave I don't have this problem anymore.

It's a great product; I use the white version for sensitive skin. I mostly use it post-shave after the alum.

In my pre-DE and str8 razor days I used pre-shave oil. It did help prep my face before the shave. Remember, though, it doesn't take a lot to do so. A little goes a long way.

Since converting to DE razors and then str8 razors, I have moved away from using pre-shave oil and used Proraso re-post shave cream and most recently Lucky Tiger brushless shave cream to prep my face afyer my shower and before shaving.