Thread: preshave oil

I started shaving with a straight razor a few weeks ago, got horrible razor burn, and wanted to experiment with shaving oils. After reading the ingredients in several products, I realized that almond oil was the main component. Instead of buying 2-3 oz. "shaving oils" for $15, I went to Whole Foods and purchased a 16 oz. bottle of organic almond oil for $6.

I'll liberally apply oil right out of the shower, then lather and make my first pass, rinse, apply more oil, lather, then make my against the grain pass. After I'm done shaving I'll even rub a bit in as a moisturizer, then blot with a towel if there's any that hasn't absorbed in. The oil easily washes off your hands and isn't as "greasy" as you may think. It's great for moisturizing your nails too!

If the blade is nice and sharp and you do proper prep, at best, pre-shave oils create clutter, at worst they mess up your brush until you shampoo it clean. Proper prep and shaving with a sharp blade will make sure you get a nice, clean, comfortable shave with no irritation.

Oils never seemed to work for me with a straight or DE, the lather has always been a proper protectant. With the proper beard prep, preshave probably isn't necessary. Poraso Pre/Post shave is really nice for prepping the beard and not oily or greasy.

Originally Posted by FiReSTaRT

If the blade is nice and sharp and you do proper prep, at best, pre-shave oils create clutter, at worst they mess up your brush until you shampoo it clean. Proper prep and shaving with a sharp blade will make sure you get a nice, clean, comfortable shave with no irritation.

I agree here. I tried shaving oil but threw it out, it clogged my brush and also makes pulling the skin tight a lot tougher.

I also want to add a light touch helps avoid razor burn.

Originally Posted by RichZ

I agree here. I tried shaving oil but threw it out, it clogged my brush and also makes pulling the skin tight a lot tougher.

I also want to add a light touch helps avoid razor burn.

I agree. I also tried the oil and stopped using it. It gummed up the works for me without any noticeable benefit over a good prep.

Jordan