Non oil pre-shaves?

[BarryR]

I just noticed that Castle Forbes makes a pre-shave that isn't oil based. I tried a few oil-based pre-shaves in the past and found them really annoying and had no interest in using them.

Having just bought a bunch of excellent soaps, creams, colognes and samples, I don't feel like shelling out $40 to try something new.

Are there any other good non-oil pre-shaves worth trying.
If not I'll try to get a sample of the Castle Forbes.

 

[Maduro]

The gentlemans shop has 30 ml travel bottles for 5 british pounds. It seems like a good way to give it a try. I just bought a full size bottle from them and it should arrive soon. I haven't tried it myself but I have used other products from Castle Forbes and they are second to none.

I use the oilless preshave from Proraso but with its strong scent its not appropriate for many creams or soaps. It works quite well.

 

[adonnellyr]

I think the Proraso pre-shave is excellent. If you are worried about its smell mixing with the soap's scent, you can leave it on your face while you make up your soap, then rinse your face with some nice hot water, leaving it damp when you apply your soap. This eliminates the clashing of scents, and the pre-shave still has the chance to soften up your bristles nicely.

 

[masonjarjar]

I use all kinds of crazy things as a "pre-shave"

- regular soap
- Neutrogena facial bar
- hair conditioner (++++)
- random shaving cream I rub in and let set on my face during my shower
- other random facial scrubs
- puck of Williams

I rotate. *shrug*

 

[Ru4scuba?]

GFT Skin Food Limes or Sandalwood for me...great scents and work great with Kyle's prep if you want to use something other than lather to moisten your beard.

 

[Terry Awhile]

Kiss My Face Olive Oil and Aloe. It's, dense so a bottle will last forever.

 

[BarryR]

GFT Skin Food Limes or Sandalwood for me...great scents and work great with Kyle's prep if you want to use something other than lather to moisten your beard.

Great. I've got a little bit left from my sample.

Kiss My Face Olive Oil and Aloe. It's, dense so a bottle will last forever.

I'm guessing it's oil-based. When I tried an oil-based preshave in the past I didn't like the 'greasy' feeling and making my hands all slippery, etc. Is this somehow different?

 

[OldSaw]

I use all kinds of crazy things as a "pre-shave"

- regular soap
- Neutrogena facial bar
- hair conditioner (++++)
- random shaving cream I rub in and let set on my face during my shower
- other random facial scrubs
- puck of Williams

I rotate. *shrug*

All the above used with a warm towel work great.

My favorite is Santa Maria Novella pre-shave cream, but man alive is it expensive. I only have enough left for a few shaves and will probably not replace it.

 

[taprater]

while I haven't had a chance to try a wide range of products I have had a good pre-shave from just putting some lather on my face and hopping in the shower and let it sit while the soap and steam work there magic. Also just regular old hair conditioner in the same manner just apply to your beard while in the shower and let it sit.

 

[cop]

+1 on the ordinary hair conditioner. Or just wash the shaving area and let the soap soak the stubble while showering.
And the third and really cheap one: Lots of warm/hot water. The hair has a hard surface and water softens it making it easier to cut the whiskers.
Good luck
cop

 

[BarryR]

And the third and really cheap one: Lots of warm/hot water. The hair has a hard surface and water softens it making it easier to cut the whiskers.
Good luck
cop

That's the one I've been doing. My shaves are fine, but when I started thinking about non-oil preshaves, I decided it's time to try a few things.