The Shave Oil Project

[JetHed]

Hi Guys,

For the last month or so I have been experimenting with Pre Shave Oils. I never used them in the past and I though I'd give it a go.

I have used several brands and I have gotten similar positive results. The closeness of the shave is not that much different. I always get a close shave with a properly honed blade but I have to say that post shave my skin is a LOT less irritated and much softer. I can definitely feel less burning when I splash on my aftershave as well which means I'm doing less skin damage. I'm sold on it for sure.

I have noticed that just about all the oils are composed of Castor and Olive oils with a few drops of "this and that" for scent or color. Straight shaving and restoring is a hobby that I am really enjoying so why not make my own custom to my skin?

I have seen a few recipes in the forums that range from a 1:1 ratio to a 5:1 ratio. I plan to do a little trial and error to see what works best with my skin, however I'd like to do this somewhat logically so my question is:

What characteristics do Castor and Olive oils bring to the party? Is one more for softening the hair vs providing lubrication vs conditioning or protecting skin than the other? Anything else that I should keep in mind while developing my blend?

Thanks.

Doug

[BigIan]

Hi, I`ve been looking into mixing my own pre shave oil aswell. I have been extensivly researching the benifits of diffrent types of oil and essential oils.

The Oil Cleansing Method - A simple, cleansing facial massage for clear skin!

you may find the above article quite informative, While not written about shaving it does explain quite well the properties of castor oil and why it is mixed with other oils.
The article also explains how "the mix" will be diffrent for different people depending on skin type.
While it is my understanding from what i have read about diffrent "base oils" castor oil is usually a staple as it offers clensing properties, it clears pores and keeps skin moisturised.
This is important as the act of shaving can dry skin severly. While most of us like to keep our face wet for several minuites before shaving to soften the hair, often with soap on our face. This will draw alot of moisture from our face (think of your fingers when you`ve had a good long soak in the bath this happens to your face too.) and provide less lubrication for the razor. This is why we use a pre shave oil, It acts as a barrier preventing all the moisture from seeping out of our skin, and replaces any that does, as well as offering lubrication for the razor.

I have been thinking of mixing essential oils with my pre shave oil aswell.
This then opens up a whole world of possibilitys, not only for scent, but you have have that cool menthol feeling, or maybe a warming tingle?
There is also a plethora of health benifits that can be gained by adding a few drops of essential oil to the mix, lavender aswell as a pleasant aroma offers anti bacterial/fungal properties.
Neroil, has many of the properties claimed by top selling make up to "firm skin and restore youth"
Aromatherapy Essential Oils, Organic Essential Oils, Natural Skin Care, Hydrosols and much more Has a wide range of various oils and a good explination of there uses, after trawling throught it for 10 minutes you will probably have half a dozen oils you will want to add to the mix.


Sorry for the long winded reply, hope it helps.

Ian

[zib]

I've done it, It's basically a pain in the ass, it's easier just to buy it, IMHO, but more power to you. I used Discount and Wholesale Fragrance Oils, Essential Oils, Massage Oils, and More @ Wellington Fragrance
They even have some exotic oils I believe under Carrier and Massage oils, it should tell you what's what. You're in the City, You probably have places everywhere to buy it locally....
You'll need at least one EO, if you want a fragrance, which makes it nice. Stay away from FO's, they just don't seem to work as well, you have to use a lot more.
Hope this helps....

[snakyjake]

Between castor and olive oil, I figure oil is oil. One comes from a bean, the other from an olive. The only difference in these oils is the viscosity. I imagine the ratio has something to do with the way you want the oil to feel and shave.

I don't think I will be too worried about an oil drying my skin out, since I usually apply a non-oily aftershave, such as a balm.

I just started, and I'm currently experimenting with different ratios, and right now I'm on 1:1. If my face becomes dry because of oil (seems like a strange correlation), then I'll adjust the castor down.

Jake

[northpaw]

I bought a cheap little bottle of preshave oil at a pharmacy in the UK.

Ingredients: Sunflower oil, Menthol, Lavender oil, Eucalyptus oil

I was kind of suprised at the sunflower oil, but it works pretty well. I do like the menthol.

[fccexpert]

Between castor and olive oil, I figure oil is oil. One comes from a bean, the other from an olive. The only difference in these oils is the viscosity. I imagine the ratio has something to do with the way you want the oil to feel and shave.

I don't think I will be too worried about an oil drying my skin out, since I usually apply a non-oily aftershave, such as a balm.

I just started, and I'm currently experimenting with different ratios, and right now I'm on 1:1. If my face becomes dry because of oil (seems like a strange correlation), then I'll adjust the castor down.

Jake

Actually, they are quite different chemically. The fatty acid chains in castor oil are almost entirely ricinoleic acid, while olive oil contains mix of fatty acid chains dominated by oleic acid. Ricinoleic acid is unusual in that it has a hydroxyl (OH) group on the twelfth carbon in the chain and it is this hydroxyl group that gives castor oil its unusual properties.

If oil was in fact oil, you could substitute castor oil for olive oil in your salad dressing (don't, unless you want to spend some time in the toliet being sick).

[snakyjake]

Great info. Also read that castor oil is anti-inflammatory and that because it has a lower molecular weight, it absorbs into the skin easier/quicker. I believe I notice the absorption rate because my face absorbs the oil quickly. The aborbtion is good because it doesn't make my face oily, but I'd like to keep the oil on my skin longer while shaving...which I may add more olive oil for this reason. So far, this is good stuff.

[freyguy]

this is a great thread. I really like using pre shave oils, and would be interested in making my own. Awesome research and info guys

[dantodd]

You guys have inspired me. I have some castor oil from my soap/lotion making endeavors as well as some really nice avocado and olive oils. I think I'll start messing with these using castor as the base.

[irenewhite]

Advantages of using shaving oil?
It can prevent nicks and cuts on your skin because the razor glides smoothly on the skin due to the oil. There is less of irritation after the shave as the skin is moisturized properly. You need not wash off the oil as it will soothe your skin and leave it feeling soft. Using oil for shaving gives a perfect clean shave which the best of the shaving gels and creams are not able to give.