Thread: preshave oil - yeah it works

funny this thread came up..

i also was browsing the local walmarts, my dad always makes walmart a plural (old people).

anyways i just thought id try it. i used it tonight. it seemed to help out, the razor seemed to glide a bit smoother. And the smell was actually kinda nice.

i did everything else the same, soaked my face in a hot towel, lathered my face, soaked my face again, then rinsed, applied the 3-4 drops of shave oil in my hand and applied to my face, rubbing it in.. then i lathered my face with soap over the oil.

it seemed to work great, i can't say it was closer or not, but it just seemed more comfortable.

Originally Posted by drfred

You really need to try Pacific Shave Oil, its all-natural and does what it claims. When I do use oil, this is it!
As usual, YMMV.

Fred

Having tried both, I actually prefer the shave-secret. They are both good products however. Still, I think I could take the shave secret stuff and a razor and not *need* anything else on a trip, if pushed into a corner...
John P.

I have in the past used REN shaving oil. This is an excellent shaving oil that works very well. It lubricates protects and nourishes the skin. I find it useful when I have dry skin.

This said, I now use Floris shaving soap and find it stands alone and doesn't need extra preparation or oils or after creams etc., to give a fine shave. I'm not saying a little pampering now and then doesn't make me feel good, but in all honesty, water, a good soap, a good brush and a sharp straight razor is all it takes. If these four items don't work in harmony or you have dry skin, a good shaving oil can overcome the imbalances. For example, hard water, dry skin, soap that dries out to quickly, a poorly honed or stropped razor, a bad shaving brush that doesn't get the soap into and under your bristles.

IMHO.

Just a clarification. I would never use an oil that stays on the surface of your skin. This indeed would make proper stretching difficult if not impossible. A good preshave oil is quickly absorbed into the skin, where it supplements your bodies natural sebium and softens the hairs. You can test an oil quite simply by massaging a few drops into your hands. If your hands feel greasy afterwards, then the oil is not being absorbed. If they simply feel soft and moist, then you have a good oil.

I'm using Proraso or Prep pre shave on an almost daily basis and I love it, the days I don't I very often get razor burn or other skin irritations. I have also used non-alcohol based After Shave balms as pre-shave, like Nivea or Lumene... with VERY good results!

My 2c on this topic...

After a lot of experimenting my conclusion is that I really really don't like using pre shave oils. The "high quality" oils that I have tried (AOS and Musgo) actually caused the blade to drag more than with just plain water/soap/cream. YMMV

With respect, AOS is not high quality oil. It is IMHO a poor product. You describe it perfectly. It is also grossly overpriced.

REN and the T&H product do not have a tacky oil feel at all. They lubricate and nourish the skin and provide glide for the blade. They do not clogg up your blade. They will leave a residual deposit in your sink which will wipe off easily. This is because oils float on water. They don't harm your brush.

But if you don't have dry or sensitive skin, they are not going to add much value to your shave and they are unnecessary.

Concerning pre-shave oil, although I am a newbie to straight shaving, I use oil it every time before I shave. Presently, shaving with a MACH 3 waiting for new straight to arrive.

I spoke to a salesman in an Art of Shaving (AOS) store and he stated that one drop is all you need of their pre-shave oil. I use the unscented one. Also, it may be my imagination, but I think the oil has cleared up or smoothed out some of my acne scarring I had when a teenager, some 10 long years ago that has been with me ever since. I guess could also be the badger brush or shaving cream, both of which I am using for the first time.

Try Olive oil . But only one drop......It's a little cheaper.

Originally Posted by English

Try Olive oil . But only one drop......It's a little cheaper.

Oh yeah! Have been using Extra Virgin Olive Oil for a couple of years and it really does the trick and much more inexpensively. Many shaving-specific products are primarily formulated from olive oil.