The grooming aisle can be an overwhelming place to be. With oils, creams, gels, and lotions, it's hard to tell what's actually helpful and what's expendable. But one of those products—a pre-shave oil–actually can be worth the hype.
Here's why: Pre-shave oil works like a shave brush, but without all the retro pomp. A few drops of a good, light, lubricating oil (natural ingredients like coconut oil, olive oil, and sunflower oil won't clog pores or your razor) softens and lifts hair, and moistens skin deeply enough to make it give to the blade. You won't have to drag the razor across your face any more than you'd want to. It also doesn't take a lot of time to use, especially when rushing through your morning.
SHOP Pre-shave oil ($25) by The Art of Shaving, nordstrom.com
An oil can take the place of the old-school cream-and-brush technique. A good brush (usually made from pure badger hair, which breaks less than boar's hair) delivers moisture directly through the cream, while staying lathered on its spongy fibers. In turn, this physically sweeps hair upward and exfoliates the skin. With the use of a bowl to mix up the lather, it also requires something like Spurlock's laborious process. If you really like shaving, the routine of it all, this isn't necessarily a bad thing. But a pre-shave oil is nothing if not a time saver.
SHOP Best badger shave brush ($55) by Baxter of California, mrporter.com
In the end, the pre-shave oil is a sensible option for a guy who wants maximum efficiency without adding extra time to his shave. It's also more portable and more convenient than a brush, making it more plausible for a daily shave. Either way you go, don't skimp on having a good quality, moisturizing shave cream and a fresh blade. Once you nail those down, your shave can only get better.
SHOP Shave cream ($75) by Tom Ford, mrporter.com
