Thread: Pre-Shave Oils

I personally use/like pre-shave oils. I have tried Truefitt & Hill, the Art of Shaving- lavender, Caswell-Massey- Sandlewood, and Almond, and plain old glycerin oil which imho is the cheapest and works best for me. It seem when I don't use them, I don't get a BBS shave, for some reason. I like them, and yes you have to wash your hands and dry them before you use your straight.

I have tried preshave oils several times but never liked them. Oh well different strokes for different folks.

I do use a pre-shave oil but I never buy them. They're actually part of a facial cleansing method known as oil-cleansing, but if applied during a shower, pretty much do the same thing that any pre-shave oil does. I use about a 50/50 mixture of EVOO/Castor oil with some essential oils added for scent. Works a charm.

Thank you for this info. I remember posting a question as to how to use this stuff when I was a very green newbie and didn't really get much of an answer. I may give it another try, now that I've read this.

Originally Posted by Lynn

The other thing about Pre-Shaves is that they have a more positive effect after they are used for a while.

Lynn, could you (or someone else) please explain what you meant by this?

After reading this thread, I think I've been using too much shaving oil. I was applying more oil for every pass. I'll try using a lot less and see what happens. I guess I should only apply it once, at the beginning of the shave, correct?

I think that is something to try if it isn't working for you: less.

Originally Posted by Warbler

Lynn, could you (or someone else) please explain what you meant by this?

After reading this thread, I think I've been using too much shaving oil. I was applying more oil for every pass. I'll try using a lot less and see what happens. I guess I should only apply it once, at the beginning of the shave, correct?

Yes you should only use it once. It works ove time because it softens your skin.

Pre-Shave treatments are way underrated they really are good

Originally Posted by Don

Pre-Shave treatments are way underrated they really are good

I'd like to second that. Inspired by this thread, I recently re-discovered my Castle Forbes pre shave, and it does improve the shave in a very pleasant way.

Originally Posted by Allen

I do use a pre-shave oil but I never buy them. They're actually part of a facial cleansing method known as oil-cleansing, but if applied during a shower, pretty much do the same thing that any pre-shave oil does. I use about a 50/50 mixture of EVOO/Castor oil with some essential oils added for scent. Works a charm.

Echo that!! The oils do not do anything to the beard bristles, they are there to clean and condition the skin. I apply a dime sized amount in the shower & rinse it off after about a minute or so. Then apply a hot face cloth for approx 30 sec before leaving the shower.


My current brew:

1 part Castor oil
3 parts EVOO
1 part Almond oil

I add a few drops of tea tree EO for the scent

I've found that many of the commercially available Pre-Shave Oils are just too heavy for my skin, no matter how little I use. I've had best results with the T&H Oil out of all those I've tried. I think that the Pre-Shaves offered by Castle Forbes and The Shave Gallery are very good however, seeing as they have more of a balm/gel consisteny they seem to suit my skin more, and the end results are always very good too.

RYF used to make a very nice Chardonnay Grapeseed Oil with Rose Hydrosol that was excellent, I used it as both a facial cleanser and moisturiser. Alas, that was discontinued a long time ago, and I never found another grapeseed oil with the same texture and efficacy.

These days I swear by Camellia Oil, I use it as a cleanser, massage oil and moisturiser. I often add a few drops to my shave lather and also use it to oil my straights, one great product to do multiple jobs. It has a lighter texture than other oils and absorbs very quickly.

Kindest regards,
Alex