Pre-shave oil

I'm not new to shaving, but I am new to using a pre-shave oil. So far my evaluation is a good, solid MEH. I'm not getting anything out of it. I use it after washing my face and before applying my lather shave cream. It seems counter-intuitive. Am I doing it incorrectly? If so, what is the proper way to use a pre-shave oil? Right now it seems like nothing more than an unnecessary expense.

I'm not new to shaving, but I am new to using a pre-shave oil. So far my evaluation is a good, solid MEH. I'm not getting anything out of it. I use it after washing my face and before applying my lather shave cream. It seems counter-intuitive. Am I doing it incorrectly? If so, what is the proper way to use a pre-shave oil? Right now it seems like nothing more than an unnecessary expense.

Mike, like you i tried it and quit not noticing any up tick in my shaves. Then I was gifts some and felt I needed to use them. So I did... I applied in the shower as a preshave. Stuck with it for weeks.

Bottom line, no big change in the shave but a gradual improvement in my skin and a noticeable change in post shave recovery. My skin started feeling great, especially in my neck where it is sensitive and hard to get bbs. It took a while. So I guess the thing with it is I feel like guys give up expecting a shattering change in the shave.... But it really for me was a change in the health of my skin. And it took being stubborn and using the oil as a preshave for an extended period.



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Many preshave oils are simply a blend of oils like olive oil, grapeseed oil, coconut oil, etc. Depending upon the soap you use, it might make your shave better, or it might make it worse. I found that preshave oils with olive oil tended to be lather killers, so I do not use them any more. Some preshave products produced by artisan soapmakers can be pretty good. They know exactly how various ingredients will affect your skin and your lather. But these artisan preshaves are not simply oil blends.

any oil based pre-shave causes ingrown hairs for me. I use the grooming dept pre-shave and love it. no issues.

any oil based pre-shave causes ingrown hairs for me. I use the grooming dept pre-shave and love it. no issues.

Loot , i use the grooming dept pre shave as well. It is dynomite! . I do load up with stirlings beard oil in the shower before the slick GD pre-shave .

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You have to understand the actual purpose. It's not to add slickness, which is what most people think. The purpose of a pre-shave oil is to soften and condition the skin to help prevent nicks and cuts and overall make things more comfortable. If you have sufficiently well-hydrated skin already, then I doubt you'll see much benefit. Most people use way too much trying to achieve that slickness factor. 2-3 drops rubbed in well is all you need. Just enough to soften the skin without leaving it oily. If you feel oily after rubbing it in well, then you've used too much and it will likely interfere with your lather.

You have to understand the actual purpose.  It's not to add slickness, which is what most people think.  The purpose of a pre-shave oil is to soften and condition the skin to help prevent nicks and cuts and overall make things more comfortable.  If you have sufficiently well-hydrated skin already, then I doubt you'll see much benefit.  Most people use way too much trying to achieve that slickness factor.  2-3 drops rubbed in well is all you need.  Just enough to soften the skin without leaving it oily.  If you feel oily after rubbing it in well, then you've used too much and it will likely interfere with your lather.

This and I've never found it to benefit me. It's a YMMV thing

I have used Trumper's Skin Food as a pre shave for years, and have loved it. I realize it is generally used as a post shave product, but it is very effective at conditioning the skin and enhancing the overall shave experience.

any oil based pre-shave causes ingrown hairs for me.  I use the grooming dept pre-shave and love it. no issues.

Loot , i use the grooming dept pre shave as well. It is dynomite! . I do load up with stirlings beard oil in the shower before the slick GD pre-shave .

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I third this. Grooming Dept or Aion as Mo now calls it, Pre shave is excellent

For me, pre-shave oils (or shave oils) kill my lather. I don't know why. Moreover, I find with high quality soaps, a pre-shave is really not needed.

Having said that, I do like to bloom my soaps, and I use the bloom water as a pre-shave to hydrate my beard. It also makes loading far quicker, maybe reducing loading time by 30% or more.