Feel your beard, at the bottom of it close to the skin. How does it feel? Rough and hard? Not that soft, comfortable beard you wished you had. Then a pre-shave may be what you need for a more comfortable shave every day.
What is a pre-shave?
A pre-shave is a cream, lotion, oil or solid soap whose task is to moisturize the skin before shaving, a magic that must be experienced. When you wash your face and prepare it for shaving in various ways, the skin comes into contact with water. Water that rinses away important protective oils and fats in the skin. To give your skin the best protection while shaving, use a pre-shave that protects the skin by moisturizing. A pre-shave contains various fats, oils and other things that are good for the skin and should not be rinsed before shaving.
How should I use a pre-shave?
A pre-shave is used just as the name suggests before shaving to moisturize and soften the skin before shaving.
Apply a small amount of a pre-shave to the skin that you intend to shave. The easiest is to use your fingers, but you can also use a brush in some cases if you prefer.
It is important that you do not rinse off your pre-shave before applying the shaving foam, otherwise you will lose its effect.
What are the different pre-shaves?
Pre-shaves come in a few different varieties, such as lotion, oil, soap, and gel.
Pre-shave lotion
A pre-shave lotion is usually a slightly thicker creamer product that comes in a can or bottle. Perfect for those who think an oil is too runny and sticky. Also usually has a slightly more pronounced scent than the oil has. Apply in the same way before shaving and should not be rinsed off. Feel free to let it sit in for a bit before applying the shaving cream on top.
Depot No. 402 Pre & Post Shave Emollient Fluid is a pre-shave lotion that can also be used as an after-shave lotion. So perfect when you want to use a small number of products. Contains almost entirely natural ingredients.
D.R. Harris Arlington Pre-shave lotion is a classic pre-shave lotion from the classic and venerable D.R Harris. Part of their best-selling Arlington series as a is a series of wet shaving products with a classic masculine scent.
Proraso pre-shave cream was one of the first pre-shave products to hit the market. Available in four lovely scents that make it easy for you to find your particular scent. Can be matched with shaving cream or shaving soap and after shave for a complete wonderfully scented shaving experience.
Pre-shave oil
A pre-shave oil, or shaving oil is the thinnest of these, it is in short one or more blended oils that are used to moisturize the skin. Argan oil is an important ingredient that should be present in a pre-shave oil, either together with others or completely pure argan oil. Almond oil is also a good oil.
Depot No. 403 Pre-Shave & Softening Beard Oil is available in the lovely scents of fresh black pepper and sweet almonds. Two fine shaving oils that can also be used as beard oils. So both good for wet shaving and beard care.
Available in three different scents, Taylor of Old Bond Street shaving oil is a truly classic British shaving oil. Fits perfectly with the shaving cream from Taylor of old Bond street for those who want to smell like a true British gentleman.
The bluebeards revenge shaving oil is a modern shaving oil that is made from pretty much only natural oils. Has a very pleasant scent and feels wonderfully refreshing and modern.
Pre-shave soap
A pre-shave soap is perfect if you want a firmer soap alternative to lotions and oils. Here, solid soap is the rule, but like the others, it is of course designed to create a protective moisturizing layer before shaving. Usually also with less fragrance in general than oils and lotions. A lot of time too.
It has been said about the Phoenix Artisan A. Ice Cube 2.0 Pre shave soap that it is the best, just as the shaving soap from the same company is also the best. In any case, it is an incredibly good product that lasts a long time. Free from fragrance.
Fitjar Stubble Softener pre-shave soap is a fantastic soap, made from the finest and most natural ingredients. But without fragrance, which makes it suitable for any shaving soap or shaving cream you choose. A personal favorite of ours.
Which pre-shave should you choose?
Which one to choose is up to you and what you think fits. The easiest is to try it out until you find the right one. Several of the products can be combined with a shaving cream or shaving soap. There are also pre-shaves that are suitable for those with extra sensitive skin. If you feel that there are a lot of products, you can of course use your beard oil, which we assume you have as a pre-shave, almost the same magic as a real pre-shave.