Pre-shave balm choices

Hello everyone, I was wondering if anyone was aware of alternatives to the Proraso pre-shave cream. I was hoping to rely on TSD preshave balm for all of my future shaving needs, but according to the latest post on the official Facebook page (can't post link to the post due to being a new member), the shop is closing down. No other store compares in terms of variety, prices, and products offered, so this is really unfortunate news.

I couldn't find any other artisans who produce pre-shave cream or balm, only pre-shave oil. I have tried oils but they just aren't for me because I find them too thick and greasy. I've been using moisturizing creams lately and I've had great success with them. I know that pre-shaves aren't very popular in the shaving community, but I have found that they help to reduce post-shave irritation for me tremendously. Thanks for any suggestions. I'd rather stick to artisan creams/balms but worst case scenario, I can just go for the Proraso pre-shave cream.

 

I really like razorocks peppermint preshave balm. It is invigorating during these hot months. Of course, I do like proraso's white line of pre shave, shave, and post shave as well.

Geo f trumper puts out a preshave lotion called skin food that is quite popular.

I haven't tried it, but edwin jagger is supposed to have a great preshave lotion as well.

 

Generic or house brand Noxzema. As good as Proraso pre-shave for a fraction of the cost.

 

TOBS makes a very nice herbal pre shave gel

 

Thanks for the suggestions. I've seen Skin Food mentioned a few times but I haven't heard a whole lot about it. I've also seen Noxzema recommended fairly recently but I wasn't aware that it made for a good pre-shave.

I did a lot more digging around and I found that Mickey Lee Soapworks makes some pre-shave "butter," as does Chatillon Lux. I'm not quite sure where butter stands relative to cream and oil, but I guess it's worth checking out. Hopefully it's not as greasy as oil and doesn't gunk up my razor as much.

The peppermint preshave sounds perfect right about now - in the middle of a heatwave in my area.

 

Hi, and welcome to the Den.

Curious, you think pre-shave oils are too thick and greasy? I find balm to be thicker than oils.

 

Thank you. I've just been using facial cream but it absorbs into my skin fairly well. As long as I apply sparingly, it just moisturizes my skin and leaves it supple so that I'm less likely to get razor burn.

I feel like oil helps a bit with ensuring that the razor glides more smoothly, but it is definitely a lot thicker after application and a lot greasier since it isn't really designed to be absorbed. Maybe it's a matter of the oil that I've been using but the ingredients seem pretty standard. Cream on the other hand is barely noticeable to me when applied sparingly, but it leaves my skin hydrated enough that the post-shave is less painful.

 

Using too much? I apply the oil very thin prior to the first lather. After the third pass, lathering up for every pass, the oil is all but gone.

 

I don't think that I am. I also apply the oil very sparingly, using the absolute minimal amount needed to cover my face. I could certainly make do with it, but I still just feel that it's too thick and viscous relative to cream. The texture is my biggest gripe but I just find creams easier and quicker to apply, which is especially great if I'm in a hurry.

 

I never really use a pre shave oil or cream. However, I usually wash my face with Musgo Real Glyce Lime Oil soap and only partially rinse it off before lathering. The glycerin helps with slickness and also increases the amount and stability of the lather.

 

Gotcha.

 

Have you tried Corn Huskers lotion?

 

Hey Kevin, @HolyRollah, the balm you made, pre- or post- shave?

 

I haven't heard of it but I just took a look. For only a few bucks, it's worth a shot. I wonder if it would be possible to add some menthol to some of these lotions in order to get something like TSD SubZero preshave.

 

Just curious, do you find it clogs the razor at all?

 

Noxzema is amazing as a preshave. I keep a tub in the shower and use it to wash my face before showering. Really hydrates the face and does a great job of cleaning your face without drying the skin out. Just as good as the Proraso in my opinion. GFT skin food is my personal favorite aftershave. It's just amazing and I can't say too many good things about it. The only down size is that it is quite expensive. When I'm not using the skin food I'll go with Nivea sensitive. Boring stuff as it doesn't have much of a scent but is great for the skin. I also like Master's bay rum and other scented aftershaves but I try to limit the use because of all the alcohol as it tends to dry my skin out if I use it too often.

 

Corn Huskers is a little heavy for my taste. I'm also not a fan of the smell. It's really good stuff though if mistakes were made. Anytime I manage to get a little burn I'll use it as a salve.

 

I too like the skin food and I use it almost exclusively. I agree on the cost but I find only about a dime-sized amount is needed so my bottle is lasting a long time.

 

I made my own with the recipe from this site. Its easy to do. Cost about 10 bucks first time, and you can scent it however you want.

 

I'm perfectly happy with the standard castor+olive+othershit DIY pre-shave oil and have never noticed any razors getting "gummed up". I get BBS shaves from every razor in the den. What razors are these?

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