pre-shave oil/cream or not?

does anyone still use the noxema deep cleansing cream as a pre-shave? I know it used to be popular...

I like using a pre-shave treatment.  I have used Proraso and several oils, both commercial and homemade, but I finally settled on CeraVe glycerin moisturizer, a little dab of which seems to work the best for me, softening but rinsing off easily and not affecting the blade at all.

John,

Can you link to the specific CeraVe moisturizer you use?

Tried them. Negligible effect.
Preshave sales hype=snake oil salesman

Tried them. Negligible effect.
Preshave sales hype=snake oil salesman

I hear ya. I've never seen much benefit with them, but I'm always willing to revisit it.

Made the switch to a pre-shave routine 3 years ago and huge difference for me. I have oily skin, mid thickness whiskers and smooth non weathered skin and found a pre-shave soap used in the shower, followed by pre-shave oil/butter or balm has worked wonders. Start off with soap such as MRGLO, and most of the time use my own pre-shave oil which seems to be slicker than others I have tried. I do use balms such as Vitos and Proraso, Emulsion and butters from Mickey Lee as well. The difference has been going from a 3 pass shave occasional touch ups to two pass shaves so my blades last a little longer, smoother, slicker shaves and a major bonus, no nicks or cuts. Since I made the switch 3 years ago, have drawn blood just 4 times, twice my own mistake by rotating the razors to close to my face with my Fatboy and the exposed ends caught me, once with my 2011 R41 and once with a straight. So for me a big improvement in the quality of my shaves.

Others as noted, state no difference at all and a buddy of mine in the SF Bay Area just doesn't want to be bothered with the extra time in pre-shave routine and perfectly happy with 3-4 pass shaves. To each his own and whatever works for them.

I like using a pre-shave treatment.  I have used Proraso and several oils, both commercial and homemade, but I finally settled on CeraVe glycerin moisturizer, a little dab of which seems to work the best for me, softening but rinsing off easily and not affecting the blade at all.

John,

Can you link to the specific CeraVe moisturizer you use?

Here it is. I can't remember if I bought it on Amazon or at a local store. It's a big tub, and not much is needed each time, just half a teaspoon or so on the palms.
https://www.amazon.com/CeraVe-Moisturize...rds=cerave

does anyone still use the noxema deep cleansing cream as a pre-shave?  I know it used to be popular...

Andrew,

I tried using it when I first started out. It was touted as the cheaper route to going with Poraso. I can't say if it helped or not. My problem was that the strong scent of the Noxema (not offensive to me ) was interfering with the scent of my shaving soap so I stopped using it. I still have the tub maybe I will try again some day.

does anyone still use the noxema deep cleansing cream as a pre-shave? I know it used to be popular...

I do this once in a while if I'm doing a menthol shave. The oils never worked for me but Noxzema does actually improve the 1st pass. After that it's gone. But like Wolverine mentioned, the scent is strong and I don't really like it either. It does interfere with the scent of your soap.

I do cause it's a gift.

I bought have a few pre-shaves on it's way to me, just to see what the fuss is all about some brands.

No Oils. I typically use Nivea Creme, as I've found it does help soften my hair. Recently I've been using some Eli's Extracts Brushless Head Shave Cream. It didn't work well for me as a shaving cream, but it works nicely as a pre-shave.