Thread: Pre-Shave Oils

Originally Posted by Don

The problem with a lot of mens Skin care products are men are afraid to ask. OMG IT IS NOT MAINLY FOR MEN TO TAKE CARE OF THERE SKIN - I say horse **** that is your problem I want healthy skin for years to come. I will also dump high quality Shaving soaps and Creams into this group of not using properly to get the full benefit.

My feelings exactly. Fasten your seat belts, I'll review some more up market products shortly. I started today with http://straightrazorpalace.com/misce...e-dermo-k.html.

Originally Posted by Lynn

So, what kinds of Pre-Shaves are you using, how are you using it and what kinds of results are you having?

I've used several. The ones worth noticing are AOS's pre shave oil (I own lime and lavender) and CF's pre shave balm.

I've used them prior to applying the first round of lather. The aim was to soften the whiskers (particularly in the lip and chin areas), and to provide an additional cushion (important for a DE, negligible for a straight).

They can be an interesting complement to not-so-great soaps/creams. Interestingly, my personal favourites (CF Lime and Lavender) do not require the CF pre shave. And my beard/skin are as difficult as they come.

Any road, thanks for the question. We might want to amalgamate what's in this thread into a Wiki article. Any takers?

I tried Origin's Easy Slider for a bit until the samples gave out, then started using this stuff called Aveda Energy Composition Oil that my girlfriend has a big ol batch of. It's mostly jojoba and some essential oils, but just a dab 'll do ya, the stuff works the best so far. I've never had a problem with gunk on razors, brushes, hands, etc... The stuff works like a good conditioner does, softening the hair and moisturizing the skin.

Originally Posted by BeBerlin

I've used several. The ones worth noticing are AOS's pre shave oil (I own lime and lavender) and CF's pre shave balm.

I've used them prior to applying the first round of lather. The aim was to soften the whiskers (particularly in the lip and chin areas), and to provide an additional cushion (important for a DE, negligible for a straight).

They can be an interesting complement to not-so-great soaps/creams. Interestingly, my personal favourites (CF Lime and Lavender) do not require the CF pre shave. And my beard/skin are as difficult as they come.

Any road, thanks for the question. We might want to amalgamate what's in this thread into a Wiki article. Any takers?

Pre shave oil (AOS unscented) before both the first and second pass seems to make a difference for me.

I'm using TOBS pre-shave oil. It's the only that i have and im enjoying it pretty much. I have to apply, sometimes, the pre-shave oil because my skin dry the lather very quickly.

When using pre-shave oil i'm doing this:

1st: I wash my face with hot water;
2nd: I put a tiny amount of pre-shave oil in the hand and with the fingers i apply it "strategically" in some spots (chin for ex.).. with the hot water on the face;
3rd: I massage the face spreading the oil.. the hot water will help in this step..so you don't need to spend to much oil;
4th: I let the skin absorve the oil at the same time i wash my hands and do the lather.

This steps will provide an additional cushion, do not leave you with a greasy feeling, helps to avoid the lather from mix. with the pre-shave oil, saves money (less amounts of oil) and its helping me to get close - step by step - to a BBS with this very wired beard that i have

Originally Posted by bassguy

I tried Origin's Easy Slider for a bit until the samples gave out, then started using this stuff called Aveda Energy Composition Oil that my girlfriend has a big ol batch of. It's mostly jojoba and some essential oils, but just a dab 'll do ya, the stuff works the best so far. I've never had a problem with gunk on razors, brushes, hands, etc... The stuff works like a good conditioner does, softening the hair and moisturizing the skin.

I've got an aftershave balm by Aveda that my sister-in-law gave me last Christmas. It's lemon scented and it feels so nice on the skin.

I've tried a few of the KOS pre-shaves, Hackett of London pre-shave oil, & a few others. They don't affect my shave detrimentally, but i never feel that they add much either. I certainly find that a good quality hair conditioner has a better effect for me.

Let's see. I've used a bunch. Proraso, Castle Forbes (I really like the CF), AOS Sandalwood, and Truefitt and Hill. They're all good. I think the Proraso is the most economical as far as price goes and quantity. As Lynn said, A little goes a long way. It's easy to go overboard on these. The Art of Shaving Sandalwood is the thickest so far. It's damm near 10w-40 compared to the others. I find it hard to use anything less than a dimes worth on my palms with AOS due to it's thickness. I may try heating this one up a bit under hot water and see if loosens it up a bit. Proraso reminds me of the old Cold Cream "Noxema" I remember my Mom using it. It looks and smells identical to that...I do find I get a much better shave with oils than without. They have become part of my ritual and are here to stay.

+1 with zib. Though I haven't used all the products that he has, I have been using Proraso pre/post cream for a little under a year and it is a must have for me. I personally think Proraso has an edge over the oils as the menthol has a pleasant cooling effect on your skin prior to shaving , and the camphor does a nice job of opening the pores.

Lately I'e been experimenting with the post-shave side of Proraso, something I don't usually do due to its strong odor (clashing with an a/s). I have to admit that the post shave feel of the stuff is great as any minor skin discomfort seems to fade away very quickly.

I have been using Taylor of Old Bond Street pre-shave Balm, for a while now. I seems to help with thw chin and mustache area.
As Lynn said, just a little goes a long way.