I don't use any kind of preshave, but I've read that people do use olive oil. I believe that goes way back.
I've tried it in lack of preshave and it works. Greater glide, protection and moisturizing. Skin felt really good. However,mg skin is acne prone, so it gave me acne and I stopped using it.
Yep. OO is A-OK. EVOO not necessary, unless you must have the finest. I've used an OO & castor oil combo with good effect.
I've stopped liking oily preshaves myself so I don't use them however I've seen it done many times and people swear by it!
I made my own with the recipe I found here on TSD. I use it once in awhile. I'm now trying Proraso green. I've used it twice with good results. Do I absolutely need it? No..
...and if you add a little vinegar or lemon juice, a pinch of salt, you'll also have a nice salad dressing.
Olive oil is certainly a good option. I like to mix it with castor oil, to reduce razor friction a bit more.
I recently made a preshave oil using equal parts olive oil and almond oil and then added eucalyptus and tea tree essential oils. Works really well so far.
I've been using a 2:1 mixture of olive oil to glycerin after washing my face during my shower. Then let it soak in while I make lather when I get out. Makes a big difference in stopping irritation.
Yep, giving it time to soak in place is highly recommended by those of us who use PSOs with regularity. (and hopefully NOT for irregularity! )
Ha! Is that the alternate use of your Olive/Castor oil concoction? I always thought you might be just a regular guy...
I'm not sure about this oil idea. Why have a shave prep that cleans your face and beard of Oil and then add it back on. Just don't seem right(;-(
i've been using a safflower, jojoba mix infused with rose and lavender from an artisan connection of mine and it definitely helps with keeping the skin moisturized and softening the whiskers. You gotta let it sit for a few minutes as mentioned above. Olive oil seems to make me break out recently.
The purpose of the applied oil is to aid in the moisture retention of the skin—which helps in keeping the skin supple. This is important as it allows the skin surface to be more pliable and conform to the contours of the blade. There is more 'give' to the skin. So the purpose isn't so much just to help lubricate, which it can do, but keep your pre-shave moist skin properly hydrated for the initial razor pass. Soft skin and soft whiskers leads to a comfortable shaving experience. Post-shower, your face (and whiskers) has been washed of most of the natural oils and gunk, and been hydrated by the water. PSOs help to keep it hydrated.
For some reason, I cannot use any kind of pre-shave oil. I have a phobia of the razor slipping and cutting me badly.
So to be straight with you - I thought it a bit of hocus pocus too, but it does help get to that BBS IMO. Now I've modified my routine since my skin doesn't like extra oil: 1: wash face & rinse 2: use a dime sized amount of PSO on cheeks and neck. 3: finish shower & dry off leaving face wet. 4: make lather. 5: lather & 3 pass shave 6: cold rinse and alum block 7: clean up & brush teeth 8: rinse alum & wash face with Nivea mentholated face wash and cool rinse. 9: pat dry. 10: AS or post-shave balm. I find this procedure gives the PSO time to soften, and then the followup face wash at the end removes any oil that's left. FWIW: a similar argument could be made towards the usefulness of conditioner in hair.
I have very limited experience with pre shave oil. I know some people use mixtures of olive oil and other oils for this. I tried baby oil(which is basically mineral oil with scent added) a couple of times, but it seemed to gum things up, and do the opposite of what I used it for; made the razor drag and grab. Hot towels and a good soap or cream for me, please.
