Thread: Home-Made Pre-Shave Oil

I followed the instructions on a post here, but augmented them a little. I did about half extra virgin olive oil and half caster oil.... in about the one tablespoon amount each... and then added two or three drops of peppermint oil (really concentrated peppermint smell). It's worked grate so far, and that's with a disposable razor. I haven't yet moved to wet shaving because I still need the money, but I figured I might as well try this now, and it's literally the closest shave I've gotten with a multi-blade razor, ever. It's nice and slick, and smalls amazing. It tingles a little too because of the peppermint. This really was a good idea and I can't wait to get my straight razor and try it with that!

If you have not already, while you are waiting on your straight razor acquisition, be sure to read up on the shaving Wiki to familiarize yourself with the straight razor process. I have been straight razor shaving since April 2011, and I still go back to the Wiki and re-read the information.

Lynn Abrams (SRP founder and SRD owner) has a great shaving DVD that is well stocked with good information. Also, check out some of the shaving videos posted throughout this forum and you'll get to see how each person shaves using different razors, lathers, and techniques.

Hopefully doing this "homework" will be of great assistance to you when you do get your straight razor and begin to straight razor shave.

Good luck!

Originally Posted by DaKnobie

I followed the instructions on a post here, but augmented them a little. I did about half extra virgin olive oil and half caster oil.... in about the one tablespoon amount each... and then added two or three drops of peppermint oil (really concentrated peppermint smell). It's worked grate so far, and that's with a disposable razor. I haven't yet moved to wet shaving because I still need the money, but I figured I might as well try this now, and it's literally the closest shave I've gotten with a multi-blade razor, ever. It's nice and slick, and smalls amazing. It tingles a little too because of the peppermint. This really was a good idea and I can't wait to get my straight razor and try it with that!

I did the same thing about a month ago, wasn't happy with the results so I went back to the drawing board.
I added a little pure vitamine E oil, grapeseed oil, sweet almond oil, aloe extract and some melted cocoa butter.
The results were over twice as effective, the grapeseed oil alone made a big difference.

Go real easy on the peppermint oil because the stuff can be really irritating if you put too much in.

Originally Posted by Mastershake

I did the same thing about a month ago, wasn't happy with the results so I went back to the drawing board.
I added a little pure vitamine E oil, grapeseed oil, sweet almond oil, aloe extract and some melted cocoa butter.
The results were over twice as effective, the grapeseed oil alone made a big difference.

That sounds like a really good way to go about it..... where did you source the oils? I know where to get grapeseed oil.... but not vitamin E, sweet Almond, or cocoa butter in a raw form.... should I just search the internet?
@ thebigspendur: I noticed that, I only put in two or so drops and I think any more would have caused problems.

Sounds like a fun thing to experiment with. As I'm new to this I'm wondering what other oils can be used. My better half has a lot of oils she uses for various things. One of them being tea tree oil. Would this be a possibility for an ingredient?

Originally Posted by bottomfeeder

Sounds like a fun thing to experiment with. As I'm new to this I'm wondering what other oils can be used. My better half has a lot of oils she uses for various things. One of them being tea tree oil. Would this be a possibility for an ingredient?

Tee tree oil would be great in a small amount, my primary ingrediant is grapeseed oil with sweet almond oil being next. Both are awesome for the skin!
Be careful with the peppermint oil a few drops will give you a niice scent and the cooling feeling.

Originally Posted by DaKnobie

That sounds like a really good way to go about it..... where did you source the oils? I know where to get grapeseed oil.... but not vitamin E, sweet Almond, or cocoa butter in a raw form.... should I just search the internet?
@ thebigspendur: I noticed that, I only put in two or so drops and I think any more would have caused problems.

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.

Thanks for that!

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.