{"id":2220,"date":"2016-05-03T15:18:19","date_gmt":"2016-05-03T19:18:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/142.93.176.215\/?p=2220"},"modified":"2023-09-11T14:36:57","modified_gmt":"2023-09-11T18:36:57","slug":"diy-pre-shave-oil","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.toolsofmen.com\/diy-pre-shave-oil\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Make Pre-Shave Oil"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When added to a shaving routine, pre-shave oil<\/a> can help to deliver close and comfortable results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, most pre-shave oils are pretty expensive.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Below, we will provide you with a blueprint so you can begin making pre-shave oil at home.  Not only will this save you money, but it will also provide you with nearly identical results from some of your favorite brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, when you learn to make pre-shave oil, you can get creative and develop a blend to your exact specifications. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Components of Pre-Shave Oil<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To make pre-shave oil, you will need three ingredients:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Carrier oils<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Essential oils<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Vitamin oils (optional)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Here’s what each of these ingredients does:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Carrier Oils<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Pre-shave oils are mostly made from carrier oils.  Carrier oils are an all-natural ingredient sourced from various trees and plants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Roughly 95%+ of a pre-shave oil is a carrier oil.  Carrier oils carry <\/em>the essential oil (covered next) and are relatively mild.  By themselves, carrier oils are slick, rather thin in viscosity, and mildly scented.  The scent of the carrier oils tends to favor a nutty or earthy aroma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You can use a bottle of carrier oil as a pre-shave oil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Below is a table of various popular carrier oils:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Almond, Sweet Oil<\/td>Kukui Oil<\/td><\/tr>
    Apricot Kernel Oil<\/td>Macadamia Nut Oil<\/td><\/tr>
    Avocado Oil<\/td>Peanut Oil<\/td><\/tr>
    Borage Oil<\/td>Pecan Oil<\/td><\/tr>
    Castor Oil<\/td>Rose Hip Oil<\/td><\/tr>
    Cocoa Butter<\/td>Sesame Oil<\/td><\/tr>
    Coconut Oil<\/td>Shea Butter<\/td><\/tr>
    Evening Primrose Oil<\/td>Sunflower Oil<\/td><\/tr>
    Grapeseed Oil<\/td>Walnut Oil<\/td><\/tr>
    Hazelnut Oil<\/td>Wheatgerm Oil<\/td><\/tr>
    Jojoba Oil<\/td> <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Many pre-shave oils often contain castor oil.  Castor is naturally thin, making it less likely to clog a multi-blade cartridge razor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Essential Oils<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    While you only apply pre-shave oil to the skin for a short amount of time, an invigorating scent can be a great way to start the day.  Essential oils are added to pre-shave oils for fragrance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    When making a pre-shave oil, essential oils only make up a small portion of the entire solution (less than 5%).  Typically, you will only be adding a few drops of essential oils per ounce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Essential oils come in many different varieties, which include the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Allspice<\/td>Fennel<\/td>Pennyroyal<\/td><\/tr>
    Angelica<\/td>Frankincense<\/td>Peppermint<\/td><\/tr>
    Anise<\/td>Galbanum<\/td>Petitgrain<\/td><\/tr>
    Basil<\/td>Geranium<\/td>Pimento<\/td><\/tr>
    Bay<\/td>Ginger<\/td>Pine<\/td><\/tr>
    Benzoin<\/td>Grapefruit<\/td>Ravensara<\/td><\/tr>
    Bergamot<\/td>Helicrysum<\/td>Rose<\/td><\/tr>
    Birch<\/td>Hyssop<\/td>Rosemary<\/td><\/tr>
    Bitter almond<\/td>Jasmine<\/td>Rosewood<\/td><\/tr>
    Black pepper<\/td>Juniper<\/td>Rue<\/td><\/tr>
    Boldo<\/td>Lavandin<\/td>Sage<\/td><\/tr>
    Buchu<\/td>Lavender<\/td>Sandalwood<\/td><\/tr>
    Cajuput<\/td>Lemon<\/td>Spearmint<\/td><\/tr>
    Calamus<\/td>Lemongrass<\/td>Spikenard<\/td><\/tr>
    Camomile<\/td>Lime<\/td>Tagetes<\/td><\/tr>
    Camphor<\/td>Mandarin<\/td>Tangerine<\/td><\/tr>
    Caraway<\/td>Manuka<\/td>Tansy<\/td><\/tr>
    Cardamom<\/td>Marjoram<\/td>Tarragon<\/td><\/tr>
    Carrot seed<\/td>Melissa (Lemon Balm)<\/td>Tea Tree<\/td><\/tr>
    Cassia<\/td>Mugwort<\/td>Thuja<\/td><\/tr>
    Catnip<\/td>Mullein<\/td>Thyme<\/td><\/tr>
    Cedarwood<\/td>Mustard<\/td>Tuberose<\/td><\/tr>
    Cinnamon<\/td>Myrrh<\/td>Vanilla<\/td><\/tr>
    Citronella<\/td>Myrtle<\/td>Vetiver<\/td><\/tr>
    Clary Sage<\/td>Neroli<\/td>Wintergreen<\/td><\/tr>
    Clove<\/td>Niaouli<\/td>Wormwood<\/td><\/tr>
    Coriander<\/td>Nutmeg<\/td>Yarrow<\/td><\/tr>
    Cumin<\/td>Oakmoss<\/td>Ylang Ylang<\/td><\/tr>
    Cypress<\/td>Orange<\/td> <\/td><\/tr>
    Davana<\/td>Oregano<\/td> <\/td><\/tr>
    Dill<\/td>Palma Rosa<\/td> <\/td><\/tr>
    Elemi<\/td>Parsley<\/td> <\/td><\/tr>
    Eucalyptus<\/td>Patchouli<\/td> <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Many of the perceived benefits of essential oils are unproven (source<\/a>). Additionally, just because essential oils are “natural” doesn’t mean they are safe.  Some people may develop allergic reactions with continued use (source<\/a>). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Never apply essential oils directly to your skin.  You must dilute essential oils with a carrier oil.  When using the diluted solution, always do a patch test before applying it to the intended shaving area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Vitamin Oils<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Like essential oils, vitamin oil’s efficacy may vary.  Here was a study that we came across in our research<\/a> looking at how Vitamin E reacts to the skin upon application.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Vitamin oils, like essential oils, should be diluted with a carrier oil.  When making a pre-shave oil, no more than a few drops should be added per ounce.  Vitamin oils are optional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    What You’ll Need When Making Pre-Shave Oil<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    To make pre-shave oil, you should have the following on hand:<\/p>\n\n\n\n