Thread: Pre Shave Oil

Originally Posted by adjustme69

I have tried several of these. The Art Of Shaving and Crew oil type pre-shave treatments are greasy and make the hands slippery (not a good ting).
Lynn

So is Caswell-Massey. I was prepared for this but it proved more than I expected. I actually washed my hands with hot water and soap to remove oil so that I can shave *properly*

Having said this, I used a LOT of almond oil and felt a STING on my face BEFORE shaving. What's up with that??? I'll try it next time using less oil and if the feeling is the same I may have to stop using it. That Target Vitamin E oil is next on the "try it" list... It has less ingredients, and so less potential to irritate my sensitive skin.

Anyone tried T&H? I might try this, if I hear something nice about it

I used pre-shave oil (AOS) while I was still using multi-blade cartridges and it seemed to help with that system. When I switched to the DE, I found the oil didn't add much. So I stopped using it. I do apply Proraso pre-shave to sit while stropping and before the hot towel. This seems to work fine for me.

Jordan

Okay, so I've stopped using oil for the last week as a test, and (surprise) I don't miss it. My sink, my razor, my towel, and my hands are less sticky, and my shaves are just as comfortable as always. In fact, it may be true, as I suspected, that oil makes the hairs slick and actually harder to cut.

I tried pre-shave oil and don't see much point to useing it on a regular basis.

However, sometimes I dispense with the lather altogether and just shave with oil. Not seeing where you've shaved by the path of cleared lather takes a little getting used to.

I just like the scent

Actually when I first started shaving with a straight and my face was very irritated and dry I used my pre-shave oil instead of aftershave and it worked wonders. Now I dont have oily skin and I dont break out easily or else it might have been a bad thing, but I'll tell you it REALLY took away the razor burn and the dry itchy skin. Now that I have better technique I often forget to use aftershave all together....I have to work on that...

Originally Posted by JLStorm

I'll tell you it REALLY took away the razor burn and the dry itchy skin.

Hmm, this is a potential use for my remaining oil. Which oil are you referring to, by the way?

Since I stopped using oil and started using cetaphil as a pre-shave:

1. My DE is no longer caked inside with sticky old stubble remains.

2. My brush lathers much better. I cleaned it the other day with the classic brand stuff and was happy to see a dramatic increase in the brush's lathering and water-holding abilities. I think the oil really gums up the badger and makes it sticky and water-repellent, not what you want.

3. My shaves have been much more comfortable. I think the cetaphil cleanser really does something to my stubble, I highly recommend it.

Originally Posted by russellnyc

Hmm, this is a potential use for my remaining oil. Which oil are you referring to, by the way?

I really like the AOS lavender oil, but any "pure" lavender oil which uses Lavandula angustifolia (english lavender) will do.

I've not used the AOS pre-shave oil, but based on feedback on the DE forums, it is basically olive oil.

RT

Originally Posted by rtaylor61

I've not used the AOS pre-shave oil, but based on feedback on the DE forums, it is basically olive oil.

RT

It is very thick, but the smell is absolutely wonderful. However for the price I currently use. http://www.watkinsonline.com/product...m?product=3626 its much less thick so its not as greasy or dense, I would compare the AOS oil more to a corn oil concentration than olive oil. The scent is just wonderful though. I am probably going to start making my own oils from 100% pure lavender oils mixed with some sort of base so I dont get any of the other cheap ingredients in most of the oils out there, and so that I can control the thickness and concentration.

I gave myself a nasty case of razor burn using a new razor this morning and, desperate for salvation, I turned to AoS pre-shave oil as a post-shave calmative. It made my face so greasy and shiny that, even after 15 minutes of tooling around the house waiting for it to absorb, I had to pat it dry with a towel. I think this stuff does remind me of olive oil in the way that it gets sticky when dry, rather than absorbing like essential oils do.

JLStorm, is the stuff you are talking about from Watkins the "Pure Lavender Body Oil?" That sounds like it isn't really so pure at all, since it's a mix of grapeseed, macadamia nut, avocado, and apricot kernel oils.

I was thinking more along the lines of pure essential oil, like this from C. O. Bigelow:

http://www.bigelowchemists.com/produ...roducts_id/299

In the end, I sprayed some of that AoS rosewater on my face, and as usual, it made the burn mostly go away. This stuff is really wonderful. However, I can't ever use it because my wife really doesn't like it when I smell like roses.