Nourishing Goodness: Homemade Pre-Shave Oil Recipes

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Want pre-shave oil recipes! See 6 easy recipes that can be customized with your own essential oils, or use one of our 6 scent blend recipes.

Many commercial and mainstream pre-shave oils contain artificial fragrances and preservatives. That is why you want to make your own, so you can avoid those potential toxins - and know exactly what is going into your skincare.

You also want to make your own because you enjoy it, mixing skin care concoctions is fun! You can customize the scent, and the effects you are looking for.

What Does a Pre-Shave Oil Do?

Pre-Shave oils maximize the comfort of shaving. They increase the flexibility of your skin, minimizing cuts and irritation. Also, the razor blade can get closer to the hair follicle for a smoother shave.

Benefits of Pre-Shave Oils

Shaving acts as a skin exfoliation, removing dead skin cells and debris. Using a pre-shave oil helps create a protective barrier on the skin to prevent over-exfoliation.
As a moisturizing agent, it smooths the skin to prevent any nicks that can quickly happen to dry/dehydrated skin.
When navigating a new razor, you can really benefit from a smoother glide.
Pre-shave oil is able to soften whiskers; thus reducing friction and preventing ingrown hairs.
Helps tame pre-existing skin irritations due to naturally soothing ingredients that can fight bacteria (depending on the essential oil you choose to include into yours)
You’re left with a nourished skin, more moisturized and smoother even after the shave

Note that this product is not meant to replace your shaving cream. It is intended to create a healthy and protective barrier on top of the skin that is slick, causing razors to glide over smoothly for precision cutting.

Shaving cream is an excellent complement to pre-shave oil.

Key Ingredients in Pre-Shave Oil

There are some key ingredients when it comes to making your own pre-shave oil that should be included every time.

Castor oil: A pre-shave oil must-have. It contains undecylenic acid, a germ-fighting acid that can help prevent itchiness, sooth burning and irritations, and may even tame acne, ingrown hairs, or other sensitivities due to its cleansing properties.
Olive oil is another oil recommended to include because it contains squalene, which offers anti-oxidants, anti-aging properties, and hydrates the skin.
Vitamin E: This skin vitamin does it all; boosts collagen, prevents wrinkles, speeds up cell regeneration, and helps lighten brown spots. [See what oils have the most Vitamin E]
Essential Oils: These offer healing and protectant properties as well as a pleasurable scent. [Learn more about Essential Oils]
Other Carrier Oils: There is no limit to the amount of skin-loving oils we can use on our skin. [Learn more about Oils]

Using Essential Oils in your Pre-Shave Oil Recipes

Generally, when trying out an essential oil for the first time, you should do a patch test. Rub a little on your inner elbow and watch for irritation for 24 hours.

Some oils are less likely to irritate the skin than others. See this article for information on oils that are more likely to cause a reaction.

Essential oils offer a plethora of skin benefits. Rather than include all of those benefits here, I am going to put in some links if you are wanting more information about essential oils.

Where to Source Essential Oils

You want to purchase high-quality essential oils so you can be sure you are getting your money’s worth and aren’t getting ripped off with fake or diluted essential oils.

I have been using essential oils for years, and have sampled various brands. On my hunt for the best essential oil brand, I came across Rocky Mountain Oils, and I have been hooked since!

Rocky Mountian Oils has remarkable customer service, exceptional quality, easy-to-navigate packaging, and a user-friendly website.

Learn why I think they are the best essential oil brand.

Carrier Oils

There are many, many carrier oils you can use in your pre-shave oil, each having their own properties and skin healing compounds. There are so many, in fact, that it would be too much to include their information in this article, so I have added some article links if you are looking for more details on various carrier oils.

Where to Source Carrier Oils

I find Amazon to be an excellent place to find carrier oils. Make sure you search for cold-pressed, organic oils for the best quality. If you are looking for bulk oil purchases, I recommend From Nature with Love.

Storing Your Pre-Shave Oil

Storing your pre-shave oil in a dark glass jar is essential. Dark glass will protect your pre-shave oil from UV rays that will degrade your awesome creation.

Where to Buy Containers

I love these dark amber bottles from Amazon, they are in a 30 ml size, so they are perfect for the following recipes.

About the Recipes

Before we get into the recipes, let’s go over a few things.

All of my recipes are made to be a 2% essential oil dilution - This is the dilution rate recommended for daily topical use.

If you find that your oil does not have enough scent, you can try going to a 5% dilution, but remember to do a patch test before using a higher dilution on your skin.

If you want your pre-shave oil to be essential oil free, simply leave out the essential oils part of the recipe.

The following recipes are made of up various carrier oils as well as how many drops of essential oils you need to get a 2% dilution. I have left the essential oil selection up to you.

If you are needing scent-inspiration, I have added scent combos below the oil recipes.

All of my recipes are made for 30 ml dropper bottles.

How to Make Pre-Shave Oil Recipes

Pour all ingredients into a mason jar for mixing, swirl them around to combine. Now funnel into an amber bottle and seal it tightly. You may have a little oil left over, so rub it on your skin!

Basic Pre-Shave Oil Recipes for Adding Your Own Flair

Castor Oil Recipe

4 tsp castor oil
1.5 tsp olive oil
5 drops vitamin E oil
18 drops essential oils

Avocado Oil Recipe

3 tsp castor oil
3 tsp avocado oil
18 drops essential oils

Glycerin Recipe

3 tsp glycerin
2 tsp apricot kernel oil
1 tsp sweet almond oil
18 drops essential oils

Grapeseed Oil Recipe

3 tsp olive oil
2 tsp grapeseed oil
1 tsp castor oil
18 drops essential oils

Berry Oils Recipe

2 tsp blueberry seed oil
2 tsp raspberry seed oil
1.5 tsp rosehip seed oil
5 drops vitamin E oil
18 drops essential oils

Super Oils Recipe

2 tsp castor oil
1 tsp olive oil
1 tsp jojoba oil
1 tsp maademaia nut oil
1 tsp tamanu oil
18 drops essential oils

Essential Oil Blend Ideas

Woodsy Blend

10 drops Cypress Essential Oil
5 drops Cedarwood Essential Oil
3 drops Pine Essential Oil

Floral and Sweet

10 drops Lavender Essential Oil
5 drops Geranium Essential Oil
3 drops of either Sweet Orange or other Citrus Essential Oil

Sandalwood and Pine

15 drops of Sandalwood Essential Oil
3 drops Pine Essential Oil

Skin Healing

8 drops Helichrysum Essential Oil
7 drops Frankinsence Essential Oil
3 drops Lavender Essential Oil

Clean and Clear

9 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil
9 drops Cypress Essential Oil

Sexy Spice

7 drops Frankincense Essential Oil
7 drops Sandalwood Essential Oil
2 drops Black Pepper Essential Oil
2 drops Rosewood Essential Oil

Remember to get your essential oils from Rocky Mountain Oils for top quality!

How to use a Pre-Shave Oil Correctly

Apply the needed amount to hands and spread into the area you will be shaving. Don’t use too much.
Leave the oil to sit on your face/skin for about a minute to help soften the hair. You can do this while washing your hands from the excess oil.
Apply your usual shaving cream or lather on top of the oil and shave as usual.

Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed this article and these recipes! Let us know if you have any questions or troubles with the recipes, and let us know how you like them after you have made them!

Head over to Rocky Mountain Oils for top-quality essential oils.

Nourishing Goodness: Homemade Pre-Shave Oil Recipes

What Does a Pre-Shave Oil Do?

Benefits of Pre-Shave Oils

Key Ingredients in Pre-Shave Oil