The Art of Shaving Pre-Shave Oil

I am addicted to this stuff. I treat myself to a longer shave on the weekends, and what a differnece the oil makes, my skin is smoother, my shave is easier and face doesn't get stripped of moisture.

This stuff works really good but if you make it yourself is cheaper and better!!

This kind of oil is great stuff, but I've like other reviewers I make my own -- for pennies on the dollar -- using the ratio of oils mentioned elsewhere in these reviews.

I'm writing mainly to alert men to a health issue pertaining to some of these fragranced oils: Lavender oil and tea tree oil have both been shown, experimentally and epidemiologically, to cause feminization (e.g., gynecomastia, aka breast enlargement) in pubescent boys. They may cause analogous problems in adult men, e.g., reduced fertility or who-knows-what, because they mimic estrogen once they make it into your bloodstream through your skin. Not sure the research has been done on adults yet, but it would make sense given the known effects of estrogen.

For this and other reasons I find it preferable to make my own, much more cheaply, and leave out the drop of lavender oil.

To learn more about the risks of lavender/tea tree oil for men, google on those terms plus the term "estrogen".

While you may think this is a product for metrosexuals only. I offer the following review/take: pre-shave oil is the bomb. It is great for avoiding nicks and cuts. I was first introduced to pre-shave oil from a Zirh gift, but this product is a better value. And if you are concerned about frilly fragances, they offer a non-scented version. After using this, I am certain you'll be hooked. Your face will thank you.

I love the oil. Combined with a fine brush, shaving is almost pleasurable. Taking it an extra step, I use $5 coffee mug warmer to warm the oil prior to application. Heaven in the AM.