Best Pre Shave Oils

The Best Pre-Shave Oils of 2022

Here’s our list of the top pre-shave oils currently available:

It’s easy to see why this is one of the most popular pre-shave oils on the market.  By relying on a select blend of natural oils, the Lather & Wood pre-shave oil absorbs easily into your skin and facial hair, allowing for a smooth and irritation-free shave with every stroke of the razor.

Smartly relying on a pump top design, Lather & Wood makes it extremely easy to apply while also reducing excess waste.  While the 1oz size may seem a bit small from the onset, a little goes a long way, and a single bottle should serve you for a few months before needing to be restocked.

Lather & Wood makes their oil in the USA – so you can rest assured that it doesn’t contain suspect ingredients nor is made carelessly in some faraway country.

As for the scent, you pick this up in either an unscented or sandalwood blend.  Regardless of the smell, the concentration of quality and natural ingredients allows you to not only use this as a trusted pre-shave oil but beard oil as well.

Premium men’s grooming brand Imperial Barber has put together a pre-shave oil that will transform your morning shave experience – here’s how:

By relying on a rich and slick blend of natural ingredients including sunflower seed oil, squalane, kukui seed oil, and countless others, you can expect this oil to work hard to both moisturize your skin and facial hair when being prepped to be shaved.

When introducing this to your shave routine, you can expect your trusty razor blade to glide effortlessly through thick patches of dense facial hair with increased ease – this will result in reduced irritation and smoother results.  

The dropper applicator is a nice touch as it reduces waste and makes the application significantly easier.  As for the scent, by relying on natural essential oils, you can expect a nice calming lavender aroma – perfect when you are meticulously working the contours of your face.

Lastly, this pre-shave oil is made in the USA, which brings with it an unmatched level of quality ingredients and craftsmanship.

One of the most widely discussed and recommended shave oils among the wet shave enthusiast circles is the Shave Secret Shaving Oil.

There are a few reasons why a lot of men love this particular shaving oil, but the most obvious point will be its rock bottom sub $10 price tag.  It’s an easy way to get a decent shave at an affordable price.

Founded in 1991 and made in the USA – the trust and quality here will be top-notch.  However, what some men may find odd is the lack of a proper ingredient list.  After a bit of digging, we found on the Shave Secret website the following in their FAQ section:

Q: What are the ingredients in Shave Secret?

A: A proprietary blend of base oils (cold-pressed seed and nut oils), essential oils, RX grade menthol, and natural fragrance oil.

While it sounds like it’s an all-natural product, if you have any specific nut allergies, we would recommend steering clear of this product due to its ambiguity.

Regarding the actual performance of the oil, it does perform pretty darn well. Overall you should be able to get a pretty close and comfortable shave whether you are using a cartridge, double edge safety razor, or even an electric shaver.

The viscosity of this oil is spot on only requiring a few drops to get adequate coverage with ample lubrication.

Perfecting the art of shaving before it was cool since 1908, Proraso offers up a quality pre-shave cream that has been specifically designed for men with sensitive skin.

Whether you suffer from irritation, rashes, or simply want a gentle formula, then you should have this pre-shave cream at the top of your list.  By relying on a few, but carefully selected ingredients, this pre-shave cream provides that familiar slick and cushioned base that will protect your skin when the razor blade goes to work.

Intended to be worked into a moderate stubble, you can expect this pre-shave cream to soften hair significantly to make for a much easier shave that results in less tugging or pulling on the root – a common cause for irritation in a lot of men.

While not unscented, this pre-shave cream relies on a natural eucalyptus oil that is both soft to the nose, yet invigorating enough to be a welcoming scent to start your day.

Containing no parabens, silicones, or mineral oil, it shouldn’t clog your pores or irritate with continued use.  Additionally, this formula has been dermatologist-tested.

Lastly, this pre-shave cream was made in Italy, so quality control should be quite high when compared to other brands available.

Read the full review of Proraso Pre-Shave Cream

Men who are rediscovering the popular shaving tools of past generations find that the right pre-shave oil can help to bring out the best qualities of these old-school razors.

While the eShave pre-shave oil can work just fine with most modern cartridge razor systems, we found that a lot of men love this particular oil when used in tandem with a straight or safety razor.

With a naturally thicker viscosity, it allows for a slick base and ample cushion to protect your skin from incredibly sharp blades such as those from Feather, Astra, etc.  

eShave relies on several unique oils such as cottonseed oil, grape seed oil, safflower oil, and several others to achieve this thicker viscosity.  

When using this oil, you only need to just work in a couple of drops as a little will go a long way.  Given that not much oil is required to get the job done, you can expect a single bottle to last you for several months.

Available in three distinct scents including orange sandalwood, verbena lime, and white tea – they are both invigorating and unique.

If there were any drawbacks to this pre-shave oil it would simply be the bottle design.  With a snap top closure, it can get a bit messy if you aren’t careful.

Should you own an electric shaver and want a measurably closer and smoother shave – then you should consider the Baxter of California Shave Tonic For Men.

Unlike virtually all other pre-shave oils on the market that are dense and come in thick oil, balm, or lotion form, the Baxter of California Shave Tonic For Men is a much thinner solution that works extremely well with electric shavers such as those from Philips Norelco or Braun.

Relying on a rich blend of high-quality ingredients including eucalyptus, menthol, spearmint, vitamins E, D, and A, along with several other essential ingredients, expect this oil to be an invigorating way to begin your day.  

Once applied to your face it will help to both soften and awaken your whiskers to allow for a noticeably more efficient and closer cut.*

If this weren’t all enough, what is special about this shave tonic is that it is designed to also be applied as an aftershave balm as well.

With all the nourishing ingredients, you can rub this into your skin post-shave to help both tone and moisturize to make you look your absolute best.

*Note: Baxter of California recommends spraying this on a warm towel and then applying it to your face – rather than directly spraying your face (likely so you don’t get it in your eyes).

American Crew has become the go-to product for a lot of men that want barbershop quality grooming products at home.  Their pre-shave oil relies on a largely natural base specially formulated to work with all beard types.  So whether you have a thin, thick, dense, curly, or textured beard type, you can expect that the solution within the bottle will work well to awaken the follicles and prep them for shaving.

With a pump-top design, it allows for an easy, no-mess application – great when you want to concentrate on shaving rather than containing a mess.

Whether you are using an electric shaver, safety razor, or a standard cartridge razor, the viscosity on this oil is rather mild – making it compatible with just about any type of razor.

Furthermore, the scent is muted at best, so you don’t have to worry about it clashing with your favorite smelling cologne after using.

Anthony Pre-shave oil is a near-perfect pick if you like to pick products based on their ingredient label rather than by the brand name.  Relying on a rich blend of essential oils such as soybean oil, castor seed oil, olive oil, orange peel oil, and countless others – you have an effective product that does great for your skin and hair while also smelling quite pleasant.

While this product does rely on a few rare synthetic ingredients to stabilize and preserve the gentle formula, when comparing this to other natural offerings, we think that Anthony beats them all hands-down.

Notably, this oil is free of parabens, phthalates, GMOs, triclosan, and is cruelty-free.

When using this product on your face, or anywhere else on your body for that matter, expect the hairs to become soft and pliable which allows for reduced skin irritation while shaving.

Additionally, this pre-shave oil has been formulated and made here in the USA.  Therefore, you can rest assured that quality control is top-notch and made from the finest ingredients.

‘Small but mighty’ – couldn’t be more true when describing this pre-shave oil from Pacific Shaving.  At 0.5oz in size, this is hands-down the best pre-shave oil for travel use.  With a small TSA-friendly design, this can easily slide into your favorite Dopp kit or gym bag.

While the 0.5oz design is rated to last you up to 100 shaves, Pacific Shaving Company does make a slightly larger bottle at 2oz.  Also TSA-friendly, this larger bottle is perfect for home use when taking a break from extensive travel.

While the size is great, so too is the formulation.  Relying on a blend of natural ingredients including cucumber extract, sunflower seed oil, and many others – it allows you to get a nice layer of protection when sculpting your face with your trusty razor.

Lastly, the scent strikes a more muted one – which is perfect for business travelers that don’t want to leave the wrong impression when meeting with clients.

Since 1854 Taylor of Old Bond Street has been serving men with world-class products that make for the ultimate shaving experience.  While their shaving cream was among one of the best that we reviewed, their pre-shave oil is equally well-made – here’s why:

By relying on a sandalwood scent, Taylor of Old Bond Street brings that familiar barbershop smell that so many men love.  While not invigorating as some of the other offerings, the smell is soft and welcoming – it’s a nice gentle way to wake up in the morning.

When it comes to application and the quality of the shave, Taylor of Old Bond Street relies primarily on castor seed oil.  This oil runs a bit thinner, which is preferred as it likely won’t clog your electric razor or cartridge razor.

At 1.06oz (30ml) in size, the bottle is rather small, making it a good pre-shave oil to bring with you to the gym or on the road.

Premium grooming brand The Art of Shaving serves up an unscented pre-shave oil that is suitable for all beard types.  By relying on a blend of high-quality botanical ingredients, this formula shouldn’t cause any irritation even if you have severely sensitive skin. 

While this product is intended for facial hair use, given the large size of the bottle (2.0oz), some men find that this oil is indispensable when shaving other areas of their body.

Whether you shave your head, chest, groin, or elsewhere, since a little goes a long way, you can enjoy both a super close and comfortable shave wherever the razor may be used.

This pre-shave oil is not without a few minor drawbacks.  Most notably is the applicator or lack thereof.  With a pour-out design (rather than pump or dropper), applying this can get a bit messy, so proceed with caution.

Secondly, the formula is a bit thicker making this ideal for straight, safety, and cartridge razors.  Some men found that it didn’t work great with electric shavers.

7 Tips for Buying Pre-shave Oil

When deciding on a pre-shave oil, we suggest that you take a minute to think about the following:

1. What oil/lubrication base is best?

Pre-shave oils come in many different varieties, including all-natural to synthetically derived.  Natural oils are preferred as they are less likely to irritate while also working hard to nourish and hydrate your skin.  Synthetic oils are often found in the cheaper brands and provide a slick base due to silicone but may clog your razor or dry out your skin.

2. Does your skin type matter?

Given that pre-shave oils are applied as a thin coat and for a short period, your skin type isn’t all that important.  

However, if you have sensitive skin, you will want to consider a pre-shave oil specially formulated to reduce irritation – such as the Prorarso Pre-shave Cream.  

3. What size bottle do you need?

If you travel frequently, you may want to consider a small bottle size to reduce weight and spillage.  However, if you intend only to use the pre-shave oil at home, size shouldn’t be a concern.

4. Is your razor compatible with your pre-shave oil?

Your preferred razor system may dictate which pre-shave oil is right for you.  Pre-shave oils come in various viscosities (thickness of the oil) and may cause clogging with some razor systems – mainly electric, cartridge, and disposable razors.  If you use one of these razor systems, you will want to get a thinner pre-shave oil that relies on castor seed oil.

5. Do you want pre-shave oil and beard oil?

Many pre-shave oils rely on the same ingredients as beard oil.  This allows them to work for shaving your beard or as a conditioner for your beard if you decide to grow it out.  Natural formulas are recommended here as they will be more effective at nourishing and moisturizing both your facial hair and skin when applied.

6. Is scent selection important?

While many pre-shave oils may smell nice, many of their scents will only last for a few minutes before dissipating, as you will be shaving off the oil shortly after application.  Therefore, don’t put too much weight on the scent when making your selection.

7. How much should you pay for pre-shave oil?

A good pre-shave oil will cost anywhere between $15 and $30 per ounce.  As we found in our reviews, the price varies depending on the quality of the ingredients and the complexity of the formula.

How to Use Pre-Shave Oil

Using pre-shave oil is rather straightforward.

1. Prior to shaving, take a hot shower or place a hot towel on your face for several minutes to open up your pores.
2. Next, apply a small amount of pre-shave oil to your hands and massage it into the area you will be shaving.
3. Be sure to cover all the hair in the area and to pay special attention to any particularly thick patches.
4. Once the oil has been evenly applied, go ahead and begin shaving as normal.

You may find that you need to go over some areas more than once to get a close shave, but the pre-shave oil will help to protect your skin from irritation.

When you’re finished shaving, rinse off any remaining oil with warm water and follow up with a cold water rinse to close your pores. Apply a moisturizer or aftershave balm to further soothe your skin.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here were a few frequently asked questions that we came across while researching pre-shave oil:

Conclusion

Pre-shave oil is a great way to get a close shave while also protecting your skin from irritation. When used correctly, it can help to provide a smooth, comfortable shave.

We hope that this list of pre-shave oils has helped you to find the perfect product for your needs.  Be sure to keep the factors we listed in mind when making your selection to ensure that you get the best possible results.