How to Use a Pre-Shave Oil for Men

Whether shaving for a clean-cut face or simply for maintenance, you always want the best shave. Ideally, the shaving process is straightforward, but it can often be painful and messy. To help smooth the process, maybe you've heard of people using a pre-shave oil—a lubricant commonly used to hydrate the skin before shaving. Pre-shave oils prepare the skin before shaving and complement your favorite shaving cream, foam, or gel. In addition, they help your razor glide against your skin to theoretically prevent skin irritation. But do they work?

The Benefits of Pre-Shave Oil

Pre-shave oils can help your skin combat many less desirable side effects of shaving, like skin irritation, itchiness, or ingrown hairs. Pre-shave oil lubricates the skin helping to reduce friction, irritation, and nicks by letting the blades move smoothly across the skin's surface. A good pre-shave oil also contains ingredients that nourish the skin and provide additional benefits, like hydration and antioxidants.

How to Use Pre-Shave Oil

Pre-shave oils are to be usedbefore you begin shaving. Before you apply any oil, you should wet your skin with a warm, damp towel—or even better, take a warm shower that softens the beard hairs to reduce the likelihood of irritation and razor bumps. Give your skin and beard a good dose of exfoliation before applying pre-shave oil and shaving. You can exfoliate before applying pre-shave oil and shaving. We recommend it because it helps reduce razor bumps and gives a cleaner shave.

Who Should Use Pre-Shave Oil?

It's okay for anyone to use pre-shave oil at any age, but younger people tend to have more oil and are acne prone. Therefore, we recommend skipping the shave oil if you have oily skin, are acne-prone, or are currently experiencing an acne breakout.

How to Pick a Pre-Shave Oil

Look for "clean" ingredients and hydrating oils, like jojoba, moringa, and argan. Avoid fragrances, harsh chemicals, and other fillers. If you have oily skin, it is best to look for a formula containing non-comedogenic ingredients to avoid triggering a breakout.

Skin Beauty Recommended Beard and Pre-Shave Oil

Anthony Skin Pre-Shave + Conditioning Beard Oil nourishes the skin and hair with a blend of essential oils from rosemary, basil, calendula, olive, and tea tree oils. Vitamin E protects the skin from free radical damage and provides relief from irritation. Anti-inflammatory benefits from tea tree soothe while calendula and olive oil hydrate, leaving beard conditioned and skin silky smooth.

BiON Nutrient Enriched Face & Body Oil is a plant-based non-comedogenic moisturizing oil that hydrates and protects your skin for up to 12 hours. A medley of essential oils helps hydrate, soothe and diminish fine lines and wrinkles. In contrast, a concentrated antioxidant cocktail of vegetable oils and plant extracts helps protect the skin against free radical damage and inflammation.

Skin Authority Oil Nutrient for Face, Hair & Nails is a luxurious blend of nourishing, natural oils, including Avocado, Rosehip, Grapeseed, and Sunflower. It absorbs rapidly to moisten and assist restore the appearance of dry, damaged skin, scalp, hair, and nails while creating a healthy-looking, smooth shine.

Babor Men Calming After Shave Fluid instantly soothes shaving-related skin irritations such as tightness, redness, or razor burn. For all skin types. BABOR is setting new standards in male grooming. This fast-absorbing, non-greasy after-shave fluid relieves the symptoms of tightness, redness, and razor burn. It contains the TAUREC active complex to promote skin regeneration during nicks or cuts. It leaves skin feeling refreshed and incredibly soft and smooth.

Skin Authority Anti-Aging Shave Serum is a unique serum formula that preps the skin for a higher close, irritation-free shave. In addition, it leaves behind effective skin softening extracts for a more youthful look. It can be used without shaving as an adjusting, stand-alone anti-aging treatment.

Why use a Pre-shave Oil?

Do you need to use pre-shave oil as part of your shaving routine? No, but if you're prone to irritation post-shaving, it can be beneficial to add one to your practice. Pre-shave oils can help prevent redness, itchiness, and razor bumps commonly seen with shaving. The correct formula for your skin type can also be healthy, providing moisture benefits.