A Good and QUICK Trick for Pre-Shave Oil

[Reed]

Here was my problem with pre-shave oil...

I wasn't getting the protection, the shave, or the results I wanted. In addition, the oil was clogging my razor and it was difficult to rinse. I was beginning to think that pre-shave oil was a bunch of hype... The more and more I thought, however, I realized that it might not be so much about product, but about technique.

Well, what a difference a few changes can make... Now I love the stuff. I use pre-shave oil every morning, and I won't shave without it.

Here's My OLD technique:

Previously, I was using warm water to rinse the face, and then I was applying/massaging pre-shave oil directly to my wet face. I would then Lather. Shave. Lather. Shave. Cold Rinse. ASB.

As I said, I wasn't getting the protection I wanted and my razor was getting "gummed" by the shaving oil.

Here's why it wasn't working (my hypothesis):

Given that water and oil don't mix, I don't think the pre-shave oil was reaching the skin. I believe The oil was simply sitting/floating on a layer of water... Think about the Gulf oil spill... oil floats... In shaving terms, I was wasn't creating a protective barrier between the razor and the skin. Applying the oil to a wet face was creating skin, then water, then oil. The razor was scrapping the oil off the water and wasn't offering the protection I wanted.

What I wanted was... in order... skin, then oil, then water...

Here's What I Changed:

Now, I still warm my face with warm water... however, before applying/massaging the pre-shave oil, I dry my face with my shaving towel. My face isn't bone dry, but I press the towel against my skin for 10 or seconds... Then I apply the pre-shave oil and add more water to my face after applying the pre-shave oil and before face lathering. Then Shave. Lather. Shave. Cold Rinse. ASB. BBS.

With this little change, I am getting better shaves and the AOS pre-shave oil works great! I get the protection I want and my razor stays "gum free"

Hope this helps.

BTW, my current setup...

AOS unscented pre-shave oil
Merkur 33C with Feathers
TOBS Avocado
GFT Sandalwood Skin Food

 

[Vlad]

Never tried AoS oil, but I'll give this a shot with T&H. Thanks.

 

[Den]

I have never tried Pre-Shave oil but I know I'll eventually give in and get some one day. Glad you found something that works for you.

 

[rajagra]

Sounds reasonable, and certainly worth a try.

When I used shaving oil, I found a perfect way to stop it clogging up the razor. I applied aloe vera gel on top. Gave an incredible shave too. But note that was shave oil, not pre-shave oil. I'm not sure you could/should try oil + aloe vera gel + lather.

 

[Go West Young Man]

If the oil is clogging your brush or razor, then you're using WAYYYYY to much.
3 drops is all you need, maybe 4 max.

 

[ackvil]

If the oil is clogging your brush or razor, then you're using WAYYYYY to much.
3 drops is all you need, maybe 4 max.

+1. With three or four drops my T&H does not clog anything.