I've used a few of these so far including some from reputable companies like T&H and Gentlemen's Refinery prior to applying my creams. I actually think my shaves are worse with them! I don't notice any less drag or increased slickness and my face tends to break out the next day. Plus, I am a bit concerned about what the oil does to the hairs of the brush. I have some pure jojoba oil I will try next, but so far these oils have fallen into the broad YMMV category; that is, try them but don't assume your shaves will be better.
Pre-shave oils? Myth or Merit?
- Thread starter mastinomaven
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I use jojoba oil as a pre-shave and really like the results. I'm not sure if it makes the shave any smoother, but it makes my face feel really moisturized after the shave. I like to use AS splashes instead of balms, so this moisturizing works out well for me.
I cannot give an opinion about pre-shave oils, since I have never used them.
But, using Proraso pre-shave cream as a pre-shave treatment every time, I can assure you that I get MUCH better shaves.
This pre-shave cream truly protects the skin, softens the beard and gives improved slickness.
For that reason it has been described as the "pre-shave miracle"!
But, using Proraso pre-shave cream as a pre-shave treatment every time, I can assure you that I get MUCH better shaves.
This pre-shave cream truly protects the skin, softens the beard and gives improved slickness.
For that reason it has been described as the "pre-shave miracle"!
- Thread starter
- #4
I agree about the Prorasso pre-shave cream, and it works well as a post-shave cream too. The pre-shave oils out there cannot compare in my experience.
When you use the pre-shave cream, do you utilize the barbershop/Kyle's prep method with a hot towel, or just apply it and then lather on top of it?
I have used TH pre-shave oil for years and I like it. However, my method is not conventional: I only use it on my last ATG pass.
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- #7
Does that mean you apply the oil and then apply the cream before your last ATG pass, or do you use it alone without any cream at all?
I am a pre oil user and i think it helps my sahves and there are some good oils out there.
I think pre-shave oils are fully unnecessary if your lather is of good quality.
Most of them are also vastly overpriced for what they are: oil + fragrance.
You could make your own for far far less money.
Art of Shaving Pre-Shave oil has to be one of the most useless products on the market. It's very thick, and really gums up your brush.
Most of them are also vastly overpriced for what they are: oil + fragrance.
You could make your own for far far less money.
Art of Shaving Pre-Shave oil has to be one of the most useless products on the market. It's very thick, and really gums up your brush.
I don't care for oils either. I've used AoS and, some time ago, King of Shaves. Neither did much of anything and the AoS got into my brush too.
I like the feel of Proraso, but I can't say that it actually improves my shave. On the other hand, I feel like CF's preshave does. Not a huge difference, but enough.
I like the feel of Proraso, but I can't say that it actually improves my shave. On the other hand, I feel like CF's preshave does. Not a huge difference, but enough.
Seems to always be a lot of polarized opinions on preshave oils on here. There was a post a few months ago that put forward the proposition that pre shave oils weren't for reducing drag or softening the whiskers but instead it's benefit was making the skin more supple. The idea being that flexible, supple skin was less likely to get nicked than skin that was stiff and dry.
I've got no proof for any hypothesis other than I seem to get better shaves with less irritation, less weepers and nicks, with a pre shave oil.
I've got no proof for any hypothesis other than I seem to get better shaves with less irritation, less weepers and nicks, with a pre shave oil.
B
buyandhold2018
I have the same opinion of Proraso pre/post; It's a wonderful product.
I only use oil when I don't have time for a full prep.
I got stuck late (again) at work last night and couldn't get my shave in until about 1AM. I was not going to spend ten minutes prepping everything, so I went for the oil and Kiehl's after washing my face.
I find that oil really does help with a less-than-ideal prep. If I go through a full prep, then the oil doesn't help much. But if I'm going with a couple face-wettings, a wash, then right into a shave, the oil helps quite a bit. I've done the "fast" routine with and without oil, and the oil definitely makes for a smoother shave.
If I were to put it on a scale of 1-10 (10 being highest), I'd say that oil plus no-brush cream is about an 8. Full prep with a good soap and lathering in the scuttle would be a 9. Full prep, soap, brush, scuttle, etc. after a shower is a 10. No-brush cream after a face wash is probably a 7. All of them are acceptable and work well enough, but oil and a brushless cream works plenty well enough when time is tight.
I got stuck late (again) at work last night and couldn't get my shave in until about 1AM. I was not going to spend ten minutes prepping everything, so I went for the oil and Kiehl's after washing my face.
I find that oil really does help with a less-than-ideal prep. If I go through a full prep, then the oil doesn't help much. But if I'm going with a couple face-wettings, a wash, then right into a shave, the oil helps quite a bit. I've done the "fast" routine with and without oil, and the oil definitely makes for a smoother shave.
If I were to put it on a scale of 1-10 (10 being highest), I'd say that oil plus no-brush cream is about an 8. Full prep with a good soap and lathering in the scuttle would be a 9. Full prep, soap, brush, scuttle, etc. after a shower is a 10. No-brush cream after a face wash is probably a 7. All of them are acceptable and work well enough, but oil and a brushless cream works plenty well enough when time is tight.
I went through a PSO experimental phase about a year ago. In order of preference:
T&H Luxury PSO
AoS Unscented
AoS Lavender
C.O. Bigelow's #1197 for Sensitive Skin
ShaveSecret
A homemade concoction, Grapeseed, Olive, Canola, Sweet Almond Oils, mixed 4:2:1:1
The conclusion I came to is that PSOs work better as an Additive than as a standalone product. I mixed them in with my lather to get a nice slick shave, and also added a drop to the ASB I was using at the time. Both methods kicked up the shave by a notch or two.
Once my experimenting was done with, I rarely use them now. Except for those days when I have a lot of time, and I really want to indulge myself with a Super Luxurious Shave.
T&H Luxury PSO
AoS Unscented
AoS Lavender
C.O. Bigelow's #1197 for Sensitive Skin
ShaveSecret
A homemade concoction, Grapeseed, Olive, Canola, Sweet Almond Oils, mixed 4:2:1:1
The conclusion I came to is that PSOs work better as an Additive than as a standalone product. I mixed them in with my lather to get a nice slick shave, and also added a drop to the ASB I was using at the time. Both methods kicked up the shave by a notch or two.
Once my experimenting was done with, I rarely use them now. Except for those days when I have a lot of time, and I really want to indulge myself with a Super Luxurious Shave.
Using a hot towel is a correct way to proceed, obviously.
It is a berbershop prep method used by many experienced wet shavers.
And it works very well.
Anyhow I do not think it is necessary.
You can simply run your face under hot water for a minute or two.
After that, just apply a generous amount of pre-shave cream all over your face, taking care to work it especially against the grain.
Finally lather on the top.
I used pre-shave oils when I first began wet shaving, and it may have helped cover up my inferior technique; however, after a month or so of shaving, I dropped all pre-shave oils. For me, my shaves are fine without them.
I no longer use them.
Why?
Because after lathering and shaving I found there was no oil reside left on my face. Obviously the soap was doing its job and lifted the oil off. So I had to ask myself how much oil was actually on my face as I shaved and how much was lifted into the lather itself.
I could be wrong, but this was my experience.
Why?
Because after lathering and shaving I found there was no oil reside left on my face. Obviously the soap was doing its job and lifted the oil off. So I had to ask myself how much oil was actually on my face as I shaved and how much was lifted into the lather itself.
I could be wrong, but this was my experience.
I haven't tried an oil; I'm still trying to get my technique straightened out and eliminate as many variables as I can. After I pick my favorite blade, I plan on trying some olive oil as a pre-shave. It's already in the kitchen so I don't have to go buy anything and I can play around with it for about a week with no real downside. Well, my wife might think I'm crazy, but that's nothing new. If I like it, then I'll start looking around at the commercial and home made options. If not, nothing lost.
I agree. This stuff really works. I get it in Italy in a small glass jar labelled "Pre-barba", so it may not be the same as the "pre and post" cream. I dislike the scent, but it has made razor burn a thing of the past. I only use a little bit, rubbing it into problem areas.
I tried oils, but hated them. Stayed on my face all day.
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