Glycerin as a Pre-Shave

[Lamboy]

My skin is fairly sensitive and prefers a buffer when shaving. I have a bottle of liquid glycerin on the cabinet shelf for experiments and the winter brutality. So today out of curiosity I substituted my regular pre shave with a few drops of it and spread it on my face. WOW I believe it may have given me the closest most comfortable shave yet. I will need to try it the rest of the week to be sure if it is an anomaly or not.

Is this a real thing? Do others on here do this and do you get results also?

 

[parsifal54]

I mix a little glycerin with grapeseed oil. I believe it helps me to a smoother shave, particularly on my neck. I use a very small amount and allow it to soak in for a few minutes.

 

[Mandina]

On a related note, my home-mixed aftershave combines a bit of glycerin with lanolin, castor oil, grapeseed oil, olive oil, sweet almond oil, and a bit of various essential oils. The combo of glycerin and lanolin has a really nice healing and softening effect. This also works great as a pre-shave, except that as a pre-shave the olive oil should be eliminated, as it's a notorious lather killer.

 

[Saltchuck]

Corn Husker's Lotion is another option; it contains glycerin.

 

[Mick]

I've always used a glycerine based soap to wash and hydrate my beard. I also put glycerin and aloe into my aftershave but I have never used it as a pre-shave. I don't use anything for a pre-shave only wash with glycerine based soap like Pears or Neutrogena

 

[Brokenshadow]

Let me know how that goes. If you find there is an actual difference, and not an anomaly, I may consider trying that myself.

 

[Ron Scott]

I've always used a glycerine based soap to wash and hydrate my beard. I also put glycerin and aloe into my aftershave but I have never used it as a pre-shave. I don't use anything for a pre-shave only wash with glycerine based soap like Pears or Neutrogena

+1

I use Neutrogena or Musgo glycerine-based soaps to wash my face and shave in the shower. I'll leave some on the beard before lathering, and sometimes I'll add Jojoba oil too. Can't lube enough in per-shave mode IMO.

 

[Wyokid]

I use some glycerine right before I lather up to help hold the moisture in next to the beard. Before my las pass, I use shaving oil mixed with a little water just before lathering up - makes a difference for me!

 

[BigNickel]

I've tried Musgo Real soaps, but Pears is 1/4 the price and works just as well. On topic, I tried using GFT Skin Food as a preshave the other day and had one of the best shaves of my life.

 

[The Dean]

I've tried Musgo Real soaps, but Pears is 1/4 the price and works just as well. On topic, I tried using GFT Skin Food as a preshave the other day and had one of the best shaves of my life.

Pears still works fine, but I really don't like the new formulation. It used to be GREAT, much better than Neutrogena IMO. But they made some changes a few years ago-about the same time they got rid of the indentation in the bar. Caused quite a stir among the faithful, it seems. I used to buy it often, but not anymore.

 

[TallyShave]

Glycerin is "hygroscopic" meaning that it absorbs and holds water. It is easy to think of the many benefits in wetshaving of a substance that absorbds and holds water, in this case on your whiskers/face.

 

[LMAN007]

I always add 4 or 5 drops of glycerin to my shaving bowl prior to making the lather.

 

[Lamboy]

Well after using this combo the past week I have to say that it has brought my shave closeness and comfort level up to 70+ % BBS after 2 passes. I am quite pleased. Feeling really good about the future as my skills continue to improve.

 

[Relentless]

It's a good thing when something makes a positive difference in shave comfort. I too use some glycerin here and there.