Jojoba Oil as preshave

[sffone]

Though I've been wetshaving for many years, I've only recently gotten into the "hobby" of shaving. One of the things I'm looking into for the first time is pre-shaving. I've read that jojoba oil makes a great natural pre-shave and I'd like to try it, but I'm not quite sure how you use it. Do you get your face shave-ready first with hot water, then dry it, then apply the jojoba oil, or do you apply the oil while the face is still wet. And then do you immediately shave, or do you give the oil a chance to be absorbed into the skin. And one final question, are there other natural oils/balms that work well as a pre-shave? Thanks for your input.

 

[barman]

I use baby oil. I shower first. Wet my face and apply a few drops of oil. I then build my lather in my cup and apply to my face. Shave as normal, not reapplying any more oil.
By the way, how do they get oil out of babys?

 

[sffone]

Thanks, gents, for your input -- it's greatly appreciated and will be put to good use. It's folks like you that make this forum such a nice place. Thanks again.

 

[HoratioCaine]

Just an FYI, jojoba and baby oil are about as diametrically opposite on the skin benefits scale as possible in two products that superficially resemble each other. Jojoba is not an oil, but a waxy ester that closely resembles human sebum. It is a great moisturizer for the skin, and helps condition the skin prior to a shave if used as a pre-shave. Most brands of baby oil are just scented mineral oil. Mineral oil is a petroleum derivative. It is not absorbed by the skin, but remains on the surface. As such, it does not hydrate the skin, but forms a barrier holding moisture in - and keeping it out. It also has a tendency to clog pores and cause breakouts for some people. It won't do any real skin conditioning; it will just amp up the glide factor for your shave, which, if that's what you're after, isn't completely a bad thing. As far as the scent goes, well, that's a personal thing. But if I'm using spendy shaving products with wonderful scents, I'm not sure I'd want to be mixing in stuff that smells like, well, baby oil. But that's up to the individual, of course.

 

[sffone]

Thank you for this information. The difference between the two is clearly significant. Thanks again.

 

[spremino]

Moreover, being jojoba oil a wax, it has a very long shelf life (it doesn't go rancid). Very good for your skin, it even has some sun protection (SPF 4, I remember).

 

[sffone]

Moreover, being jojoba oil a wax, it has a very long shelf life (it doesn't go rancid). Very good for your skin, it even has some sun protection (SPF 4, I remember).

Thanks for the tip because I was wondering if jojoba was like glycerin, which has a relatively short shelf life, or so I've been told.

 

[HoratioCaine]

It may have a long shelf life, but I did have a bottle that went rancid after a year or two - at least, it sure smelled like it went rancid.

 

[Jopo]

Coconut Oil works well. It too has a very long shelf life and I believe it mimics human sebum as well. Two benifits it may have over Jojoba is that it is solid at room temperature and it's cheaper if i'm not mistaken

 

[sffone]

Coconut Oil works well. It too has a very long shelf life and I believe it mimics human sebum as well. Two benifits it may have over Jojoba is that it is solid at room temperature and it's cheaper if i'm not mistaken

Thanks for the tip. I'll check it out!

 

[bubalu]

I found that Jojoba oil absorbs too quickly even on a wet face. Grapeseed oil is much better as a shaving oil. Use the Jojoba oil as an aftershave.

 

[sffone]

I found that Jojoba oil absorbs too quickly even on a wet face. Grapeseed oil is much better as a shaving oil. Use the Jojoba oil as an aftershave.

Thanks. I'll be getting some grapeseed oil this weekend to try.