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The 12 best pre-shave oils to get your closest, most comfortable shave yet

Getting your closest shave might be as easy as picking up the best pre-shave oil

The Art of Shaving Olibanum Pepper Pre-Shave Oil
The Art of Shaving Olibanum Pepper Pre-Shave Oil
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Jack Black It's Not About the Razor Shave Set
Jack Black It's Not About the Razor Shave Set
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American Crew Ultra-Gliding Shave Oil
American Crew Ultra Gliding Shave Oil
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American Shaving Pre-Shave Oil
American Shaving Pre-Shave Oil
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Bevel Pre-Shave Priming Oil
Bevel Pre-Shave Priming Oil
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Fendrihan Osma Tradition Pre-Shave Oil  — $18
Fendrihan Osma Tradition Pre-Shave Oil
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Bulldog Skincare Original Shave Oil
Bulldog Skincare Original Shave Oil
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The Blades Grim Smolder Pre-Shave Oil
The Blades Grim Smolder Pre-Shave Oil
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Van Der Hagen Shave Oil
Van Der Hagen Shave Oil
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Vikings Blade Pre-Shave Oil
Vikings Blade Pre-Shave Oil
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Lather and Wood Shaving Unscented Pre-Shave Oil
Lather and Wood Shaving Unscented Pre-Shave Oil
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The Henna Guys Sandalwood Pre Shave Oil for Men
The Henna Guys Sandalwood Pre Shave Oil for Men
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The little things matter most when it comes to shaving, especially for those looking for the closest shave yet, without the worry of razor burn or irritation. Having the best products at your disposal is crucial in achieving this. Enter the best pre-shave oils for men, a necessary and yet oft-overlooked step in a shaving routine. The best pre-shave oils help soften your skin and your stubble, preparing your face for shaving and preventing nicks, cuts, and scrapes in the process.

Whether you're shaving daily or you’re preparing to tame your beard overgrowth — or more specifically, you botched your first-ever beard straightening attempt — the best pre-shave oils can absolutely come in handy. These pre-shave oils are like another layer of protection for your skin. So, here are some of the things to know about pre-shave oils.

What does pre-shave oil do? Shaving without pre-shave oil is like driving a car without oil. Pre-shave oil makes sure everything runs smoothly. It hydrates and protects your skin, thus making it easier for your razor to glide instead of tugging and pulling as you go.

Is pre-shave oil worth it? Have you experienced razor burn? Pre-shave oil is great at limiting razor burn and shaving irritation. It's also affordable — think $10 to $20 for most oils and $30 for your luxury pre-shave oils.

Can I use olive oil as a pre-shave oil? While the question itself sounds crazy, the answer is yes; olive oil is a natural alternative to pre-shaving oil. If you think about it, olive oil is not too different from pre-shave oil — they both lubricate and shield the skin at the end of the day. Some even prefer olive oil as it's naturally nourishing for the skin and rich in antioxidants. One quick note on which type of olive oil to use, many suggest extra virgin olive oil — the least processed of them all.

Now that you know a little about why you should be using one in your arsenal, here are the best pre-shave oils in 2023.

The Art of Shaving Olibanum Pepper Pre-Shave Oil.
The Art of Shaving

The Art of Shaving Olibanum Pepper Pre-Shave Oil

Now, don’t let the price tag scare you away when it comes to The Art of Shaving’s Pre-Shave Oil, because it’s assuredly one of the best pre-shave oils on the market. With a rich sandalwood scent and the ability to prevent irritation and razor burn, consider it a crucial step in your shaving routine.

The Art of Shaving Olibanum Pepper Pre-Shave Oil
The Art of Shaving Olibanum Pepper Pre-Shave Oil
Jack Black shaving set on a white background.
Jack Black

Jack Black It's Not About the Razor Shave Set

Looking for something that has the entire shaving experience covered? Then you need this Jack Black shave set, including a solid pre-shave oil designed to enhance the shaving experience for men.

Formulated with a blend of natural oils, it helps soften and condition the beard, allowing for a smoother and more comfortable shave. The lightweight and non-greasy formula absorbs quickly into the skin, leaving it hydrated and refreshed. Bonus points for the post-shave and bump fix products, too.

Jack Black It's Not About the Razor Shave Set
Jack Black It's Not About the Razor Shave Set
American Crew ultra gliding shave oil
American Crew

American Crew Ultra Gliding Shave Oil

American Crew's Ultra Gliding Shave Oil is designed to prepare the skin for your smoothest shave yet. You can use it in conjunction with shave cream or gel and effectively soften your beard while ensuring a close and comfortable shave.

The formula is specially crafted with a unique blend of botanical ingredients and essential oils, catering to all beard types. Notably, it leaves no oily residue behind, resulting in a clean and refreshed skin after shaving.

American Crew Ultra-Gliding Shave Oil
American Crew Ultra Gliding Shave Oil
American pre shave oil on a white background.
American Shaving Co.

American Shaving Pre-Shave Oil

American Shaving Pre-Shave Oil is perhaps the definition of the sort of men’s grooming essential that doesn’t draw attention to itself. That is to say, it’s a performance-minded pre-shave oil made with natural ingredients and what the brand calls a clean, masculine scent. A subtle yet crucial addition to your grooming routine? No doubt about it.

American Shaving Pre-Shave Oil
American Shaving Pre-Shave Oil
Bevel Pre-Shave Priming Oil.
Bevel

Bevel Pre-Shave Priming Oil

The right pre-shave oil can actually work like, well, a bit of magic for your grooming routine, and this Bevel pre-shave oil is among the best of the bunch. Using unique ingredients like lavender and castor oil, it’s made to prevent nicks and cuts that too often seem to pop up when shaving.

Bevel Pre-Shave Priming Oil
Bevel Pre-Shave Priming Oil
Fendrihan Osma Tradition Pre-Shave Oil.
Fendrihan

Fendrihan Osma Tradition Pre-Shave Oil

Fendrihan delivers the epitome of accessible luxury and refinement with this finely crafted pre-shave oil for a superior shave, all thanks to innovative ingredients like olive and sunflower oils.

Fendrihan Osma Tradition Pre-Shave Oil  — $18
Fendrihan Osma Tradition Pre-Shave Oil
Bulldog Skincare Original Shave Oil on a white background.
Bulldog Skincare

Bulldog Skincare Original Shave Oil

It’s the unique blend of ingredients, including aloe vera, that helps separate this Bulldog Original Shave Oil from the pack. It’s designed to soften your stubble and provide a close, smooth shave, and it doesn’t hurt that the packaging is pretty neat, either.

Bulldog Skincare Original Shave Oil
Bulldog Skincare Original Shave Oil
The Blades Grim Smolder pre shave oil.
The Blades Grim

The Blades Grim Smolder Pre-Shave Oil

Whether it’s the use of softening castor and apricot oils or the vivid, masculine Smolder scent, we think it’s safe to say that The Blades Grim has delivered one of the best pre-shave oils on the market. How about it, right?

The Blades Grim Smolder Pre-Shave Oil
The Blades Grim Smolder Pre-Shave Oil
Van Der Hagen Shave Oil.
Van Der Hagen

Van Der Hagen Shave Oil

Add an organic touch to your shaving routine with this natural shave oil, designed to deliver a smooth shaving experience all the way through. You can also use it after your shave to shore up any cuts or bumps, and that’s versatility we can appreciate.

Van Der Hagen Shave Oil
Van Der Hagen Shave Oil
Vikings Blade Pre-Shave Oil.
Vikings Blade

Vikings Blade Pre-Shave Oil

With a name like Vikings Blade, can you go wrong when it comes to one of the best pre-shave oils on the market? We certainly think not, and that’s even more so the case when the pre-shave oil in question is made with organic oils for a natural and effective pre-shave treatment.

Vikings Blade Pre-Shave Oil
Vikings Blade Pre-Shave Oil
Lather & Wood Shaving Co. Unscented-Pre-Shave-Oil
Lather & Wood Shaving Co.

Lather and Wood Shaving Unscented Pre-Shave Oil

Lather & Wood knocks it out of the park when it comes to producing an affordably priced take on one of the best pre-shave oils, and we couldn’t be more impressed with the all-natural formula or the soft finish.

Lather and Wood Shaving Unscented Pre-Shave Oil
Lather and Wood Shaving Unscented Pre-Shave Oil
The Henna Guys pre-shave oil on a white background.
The Henna Guys

The Henna Guys Sandalwood Pre Shave Oil for Men

This sandalwood-scented pre-shave oil uses essential oils to hydrate the skin and soothe any minor cuts or wounds. Made with natural ingredients, The Henna Guys places you in good hands.

The Henna Guys Sandalwood Pre Shave Oil for Men
The Henna Guys Sandalwood Pre Shave Oil for Men

Using pre-shave oil before shaving can provide numerous benefits, such as reducing friction between the razor and skin, moisturizing and softening the beard, preventing razor burns and irritation, and promoting a smoother and more comfortable shaving experience. These 12 oils above are the best available to give you that experience.

Editors' Recommendations

Jeff Turbett
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Jeff Turbett is a health and wellness coach with over three years of experience transforming clients lives and physical…
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