Thread: The natural way

Just posting something that I learned from the internet and it suits me quite well. I used to buy products like 3P for preshave. Don't get me wrong, this is a good product. I often thought it smelled a little like Noxema so I started using Noxema.. with equally good results. Then I found a natural way to preshave and it is ... grapeseed oil. I am using this exclusively now. Not thick, doesn't clog pores. Nice natural smelling and provides good pre-shave lubrication. My skin is sensitive, as evidenced by the fact that I STILL am having struggles with feather blades / muhle R41 no matter how light my touch is. Some would weigh in that a pre-shave isn't necessary. For some that may be true, for me.. its a necessity. Grapeseed Oil that you buy at your local grocery store is perfect for me and will remain a part of my shaving ritual. Hope some of you out there give it a try.

I hardly ever use anything other than water to soften my whiskers, but if it works for you, then cool!
Grapeseed oil should be quite inexpensive and readily available, so why not try indeed

To each their own of course.

I like my face to be clean and dry prior to a shave and just wet it with water and lather up and leave the lather on while I strop. I've tried pre shave oils and they do nothing for me. My face doesn't feel clean to me with them on.

If it works, then keep at it and enjoy.
i just use cold water to wet my face and lather up. You could try some different blades and a milder razor with one or two shims as the R41 is not a very comfortable shaver.
Good luck.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

To each their own of course.

I like my face to be clean and dry prior to a shave and just wet it with water and lather up and leave the lather on while I strop. I've tried pre shave oils and they do nothing for me. My face doesn't feel clean to me with them on.

+1 on this. Has been my experience too. Pre-shave oils just don't get on with me, given that my soaps are usually tallow-based they provide enough oil/slick/glide for a straight razor shave.

I too am not a fan of pre-shave oils but if it works for you then great! If I use anything I tend to use Proraso pre-shave cream with menthol - very cooling, wakes you up and clears the nose. On an everyday basis I tend to just lather up and leave the soap/cream on my face for a min or two.

I've used grapeseed oil and now I use it 50-50 with glycerin. Feels great and the face feels so lubricated even after removing the lather, I can touch up an area inmediately. But now I'm curious I'm going to try with just water to see how it goes.