Thread: Home-Made Pre-Shave Oil

Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

I'd be interested to hear how the experiments go with a straight. I tried a pre-shave oil once and found I didn't like it. I felt that it interfered with the soap/cream that I applied over the top. I like Proraso pre-shave cream, but I don't think I need an oil as such. I think, for me, that an oil would be more beneficial for my Saturday DE shave, which is when I need the glide. For me, I find that cushion is the most important part of a straight shave cream/soap/mix. I guess, as (I think) was alluded here in a previous post by someone, the application of oils to the face might inhibit the soap or cream's ability to infuse and hence soften the hair. I find I'm so happy with Proraso pre-shave cream I'd find it hard to switch, but the added aspect of making one's own might cause one to experiment, mightn't it? In fact it sounds very much like next Friday night's project.

Sweet, another homebrew guy!!!
I did find the most imortant ingrediant to be the grapeseed oil. That is my primary ingrediant and my shaves improved after adding it as the primary oil.
Your right, if I use too much of theoil it inhibits the lather of my soap, but just the right amount and it improved the shave. I found for me 6 drops is just right.

I make my own oil also. I combine castor, Almond and Extra Virgin Olive oil. I use some other extracts for aroma. I find this combination to be just the right viscosity for my skin.

Originally Posted by Mastershake

Pure vitamine E oil I got in the vitamine section at the grocery store (comes in liquid form in small, I think 4 ounce bottle). I had to order the sweet almond oil and cocoa butter from Brambleberry, great price for the stuff but shipping cost will bite you in the butt so order some peppermint oil while you are at it.
Forgot to mention, you have to temper the cocoa butter before adding it to your pre-shave oil. In a small container microwave the cocoa butter with some grapeseed oil for about 20 seconds, when it turns to liquid form add it all to the pre-shave oil and shake the crap out of it, once incorporated the cocoa butter will stay liquid and won't solidify again.
I also got the aloe extract from Brambleberry, to mix that in DO NOT MICROWAVE! I tried microwaving it with oil like the cocoa butter and it exploded. Just pour it in to the shaving oil and once again shake the crap out of it and it won't seperate once mixed well.

You should consider offering your pre shave concoction along side your soaps! Which btw I love.

i am with him on loving your soaps........ i have used that sample you sent me for the last 4 shaves.... that stuff is awesome and improving......

Thanks alot!

I've made quite a few pre shave oils in my day. I started with the Castor and Olive. I find if you use cheap bargain brand olive oil, it usually has less of an aroma, which helps when mixing with EO's or FO's. Among the other oils I've used are: Jojoba, Grapeseed and Sunflower. Experiment with the different variations and your choice of EO's and FO's. I recommend the EO's. The FO's are too weak imo. I've used Massage & Carrier Oils @ Wellington Fragrance before. Good place.
You can find many of these oils locally if you look....

If I use a pre-shave oil I just use straight Avacado oil. Great for the skin and is (from what I've read) more easily absorbed into the hair shaft. I'm also quite fond of the Grapeseed oil as well. I actually got it (AO) originally to help tame the wild and crazy wiskers in my handlebar and so far it works great.

Good Luck
Michael

What I've found to work well and is reasonable to buy and make is:
Small jar of Noxzema , ~ 10 drops each of grapeseed oil, almond oil, and glycerin . Find it to be very much like the well know Italian preshave.

Originally Posted by Johnus

What I've found to work well and is reasonable to buy and make is:
Small jar of Noxzema , ~ 10 drops each of grapeseed oil, almond oil, and glycerin . Find it to be very much like the well know Italian preshave.

That sounds like it would resemble Proraso pre shave.

Yes it does....