8 Best Pre-Electric Shave Solutions

Using electric shaver is a great way to speed up your morning shaving routine and take advantage of the technological advancements that can make any man’s daily schedule just a little bit more manageable. Electric shavers are even more accurate than handheld ones under certain circumstances.

But there’s no getting around the fact that some men have issues with electric shavers because of skin sensitivity or the fact that razor burn is a common side effect. You can alleviate the razor burn risk with a good pre-electric shave solution. Never heard of it? Don’t worry; we can help.

In this guide, we’ll go over the best pre-electric shaves on the market and show you several different types to choose from based on your personal preference and the kind of skin that you have. We’ll also explain some good practices for using pre-electric shaves.

Buying Guide

Before we get into the details with each of our top pre-electric shaves, there are a few key aspects we’ll explain that can help you determine how to recognize a good pre-electric shave in comparison to all of the competitors.

Type: Essentially, there are three different types of pre-electric shaves that you can find. None of these are necessarily better than the others, but they each feel drastically different on your skin and might have different advantages and disadvantages.

Lotion pre-electric shaves are by far the most common on the market and utilize a formula that has a thickness and viscosity similar to a lot of moisturizing lotions or soaps. These lotions tend to be made without oil so that this sensation remains consistent. Lotions also tend to have a particular scent about them, which can be a positive or negative depending on your preference.

Powder pre-electric shaves are another type they use a powder compound to dry your skin and make your facial hair stand up straighter and easier to cut that it is naturally. Obviously, powder pre-electric shaves can be uncomfortable if you already have naturally dry skin and may require you to moisturize after your shaving session is done. This type of pre-electric shave can be a good pick, however, if you don’t like the feeling of something slippery or slimy on your skin.

Then there are oil pre-electric shaves which are made similarly to lotion for electric shaves, but included oil component to make their viscosity a little thinner and runnier. This means that they’re a little easier to apply and you don’t necessarily need to use quite as much as you would with a lotion pre-electric shave. Both powder and oil pre-electric shaves tend not to have any smells associated with them.

Amount: A lot of the best value for money judgments when it comes to pre-electric shaves can be determined by how much of the solution is contained in each bottle. Some pre-electric shaves only have a couple of fluid ounces of their bottles while others are really generous with the amount that you get for the asking price. Keep this in mind when trying to determine your price point in imagining how much you’ll use in a given week.

Scent: If you wear cologne or don’t want a heavy, shaving-associated scent following you around, you might want to invest in an oil or powder pre-electric shave because these are not likely to have smells integrated into their formula. This is more important for some men than others; consider whether or not your cologne or deodorant will be negatively affected by a pre-electric shave.

Let’s dig into a quick overview that looks at the most basic aspects of each of our favorite pics.

8 Best Pre-Electric Shave Solutions Comparison Table

8 Best Pre-Electric Shaves: Detailed Review

1. Afta Pre-Electric Shave Lotion 6-pack

Editor’s Rating: 4.7/5.0

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The Afta Pre-Electric Shave Lotion 6-pack is a lotion type and provides great value for money since you can get six different models, each containing 3 fluid ounces of the solution. This means that for one purchase you could potentially get enough pre-electric shaver to last you for months on end.

As for the solution itself, it’s made from an oil-free recipe. The lack of oil in this formula means that it won’t feel greasy when you apply on your skin and allow it to dry. You do have to let it dry for quite a little while before you can actually start shaving, which is a bit of a downside because it does extend your morning routine by a few crucial minutes.

Once it’s ready, however, you’ll find that your skin irritation is drastically reduced during your shaving session is a direct result of this lotion. Applying it is relatively easy since it won’t clog in the blades of your razor or get into the delicate mechanisms beneath the head. Washing the lotion off after your shaving is done isn’t a problem since it comes off with your regular wash to get rid of shaving cream and stray hairs.

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2. Williams Lectric Pre-Shave 2-pack (Top Pick)

Editor’s Rating: 4.6/5.0

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Let’s take a look at the Williams Lectric Pre-Shave 2-pack. This utilizes a formula that has green tea extract to create a lotion that feels wonderful on your skin and has several important benefits in addition to the assistance it can provide to an electric shaver.

While making it easier for the shaver to do its work without harming your skin, this formula also has compounds that hyper your skin and allow it to remain smooth and looking useful long after your shaving session has passed. This soothing experience is invaluable if you already have sensitive skin and don’t look forward to your daily or weekly shaving routine. A lotion like this can almost make you look forward to when it’s time to shave.

This formula also helps make your facial hair stand up as straight as possible so that when your hair is cut, it is clipped close to the root. This extends the time between shaving sessions and prolongs the amount of time during which you can enjoy smooth skin on your face.

As a two pack, there’s a lot of value packed into the purchase since each bottle has enough of the lotion to last for quite some time. The green tea extract does leave a bit of a heavy scent on your face, but you can rather easily wash off any residue or apply a cologne to overcome this effect.

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3. Mennen Afta Pre-Electric Shave 2-pack (Best Budget)

Editor’s Rating: 4.6/5.0

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Here’s another great two-pack that’s extremely affordable. The Mennen Afta Pre-Electric Shave 2-pack comes with two bottles that each hold 3 fluid ounces of this particular lotion. This means that they won’t last quite as long as some of the other packs on our list, but since they’re so affordable you can always buy a little more if you want to stock up for a few months.

The formula doesn’t use any oil to keep your experience as enjoyable as possible. You won’t feel greasy when you apply this lotion to your skin. In addition to helping to protect your skin and reduce irritation during an electric shave, this lotion utilizes compounds that can guard your skin against the drying effects of the sun and other weather-based damage.

This secondary function as a ton of value to this pack. It’s not a replacement for sunscreen, so if you’re going out to be in the sun for a while you’ll still need to apply that, but it’s better than nothing and can be a great solution if you’re not used to having to protect the skin of your face if you had a beard for some time.

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4. Freelette Pre Shave/After Shave Lotion (Best Value)

Editor’s Rating: 4.7/5.0

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The Freelette Pre Shave/After Shave Lotion is a unique take on pre-elected shave lotion in that it utilizes a special formula that can both replace regular shaving soap, pre-shave lotion, and aftershave lotion for one all-encompassing product. This lotion simply needs to be applied before you start your electric shaver and you’ll find that it takes care of all of the functions that would normally be expected from shaving soap and aftershave.

The formula protects your skin during the shaving process and improves your skins chemical balance and health. It’s made from several unique herbal extracts and can leave your skin feeling soft and pleasant thanks to its moist composition.

Even after the shave, you’ll find that the lotion has a masculine odor to it that will suit a great number of men’s personal styles. Because it has aspects of an aftershave product, your skin will feel reinvigorated and healthier right after the experience of a fresh shave.

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5. Old Ron’s Unscented Pre-Shave Splash

Editor’s Rating: 4.4/5.0

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The Old Ron’s Unscented Pre-Shave Splash is a great pick you don’t like having to deal with the scents or smells that are commonly associated with most pre-electric shaves or other facial lotion products. This lotion is instead made from only two basic ingredients and has no scent that can linger beyond your shaving session. This means that you can use your own cologne to its fullest effect and not have to worry about how the two smells will mix.

This lotion comes in a single bottle that can hold 4 ounces and it’s a little splashier than some of the thicker lotions we’ve looked at so far. You should only use a small amount at one time and splash it on your face to allow it to dry for about a minute. Because this has alcohol in it, you’ll definitely have dry skin if you don’t wash your face thoroughly once your shaving is complete.

The formula is adept at raising the whiskers on your face to their highest extent so that it is easier to cut them fully and extend the length of time during which you can enjoy smooth facial skin. On top of this benefit, this lotion will make your skin rather smooth and slippery to allow for easier and quicker razor movement. You should be careful when shaving with this formula because of this, as you might go faster than you expect and this can lead to minor nicks.

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6. Aramis Lab Series Electric Shave Solution

Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0

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The Aramis Lab Series Electric Shave Solution is another aroma-free solution that you can pick if you don’t like having to combat heavy smells after you’ve already left the bathroom. The solution comes with a relatively small bottle, with only 3.4 fluid ounces, but you’ll find that every drop is well worth the asking price.

It’s made without any oils to prevent the formula for becoming greasy or running down your face. You only need to apply a little bit at any one time for its fullest effects and best of all is that it won’t dry your face out as it does its magic. Shaving with the solution already applied to your face will result in a smoother, more comfortable experience.

This solution excels at preventing razor burn and reducing skin irritation. It’s a particularly effective choice if you have sensitive skin that tends to flare up or turn red at the slightest provocation. While the price is a little steep for one small bottle, it’s a great pick if you’re after quality no matter the cost.

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7. Remington SP-5 Face Save Powder

Editor’s Rating: 4.4/5.0

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The Remington SP-5 Face Save Powder is our only powder pick, and it’s a great example of this category of pre-electric shave solutions. It utilizes a special dry formula that’s a lot easier to apply than some of the wetter lotions that we reviewed above. Dabbing this powder onto your face only takes two fingers and a couple of seconds. You might find that it takes some getting used to the powder, but once you start shaving you’ll be able to tell an immediate difference in terms of skin irritation and the ease at which your blade moves across your face.

This powder is really great if you have sensitive skin since the drying effect that it possesses also tends to curtail any sort of flare-ups that are common when you’re getting used to using an electric shaver. Since this powder is so affordable, you can easily get a few different containers of it for use over several months and never have to run the risk of shaving dry.

That being said, it does dry your face out and you’ll need to thoroughly wash your face after shaving to make sure that your skin is properly moistened. A good idea is to add some kind of moisturizing cream for application after you’re done shaving, although many men do this already.

In addition, using the powder is a little messier than using lotion because powder is easier to spread everywhere in your bathroom. We recommend applying it over the sink or another controllable area so that you don’t have to spend too much time cleaning up.

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8. American Shaving Pre-Shave Oil

Editor’s Rating: 4.4/5.0

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The American Shaving Pre-Shave Oil is our oil pick. Although many lotions strive to avoid oil to prevent a greasy feeling, this oil formula also avoids the greasy type of experience thanks to its natural ingredients and careful composition. It’s definitely more slippery than a lotion formula, although this is a benefit.

Because it’s so slippery, it’ll form a low layer over your skin that basically acts like a barrier and protected against being cut from your razor. This will make the shaving a little bit more of a slippery affair then you may be used to, but once you get used to it you’ll be able to accomplish your shaving routine even faster than before and without any risk of injury.

Applying the oil is very easy and it acts incredibly quickly. You won’t have to wait for several minutes before you can start your shave. Once your shaving session is done, clean off is a simple as using a warm washcloth or running water over your face and scrubbing lightly.

The only downside to this pick is that the bottle is really small, only containing 2 fluid ounces of oil. You should only be using a small amount anyway, but this low capacity means you’ll have to buy more relatively soon regardless.

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Tips for Using Pre-Electric Shaves

Before you start applying your pre-electric shave and turn your shaver on, check out these quick tips to make sure that you don’t accidentally apply your pre-electric shave incorrectly and don’t get all of the benefits on the bottle.

Wait for Designated Time: Each type of pre-electric shave has some kind of waiting time, whether it’s just a few seconds or a few minutes. It’s important that you pay attention to this time and believe in its effectiveness. Shaving before the solution is ready and is fully acted on your skin might cause some of the benefits to not be conferred.

For instance, if you start to use your electric shaver on your face before your lotion has had time to dry, you might find that you still get cut or that the lotion doesn’t really help keep your facial hair whiskers standing up straight to be cut more easily.

Wash After: Once you’re done with your shaving routine, make sure to wash your face thoroughly with soap and water unless specified differently on the back of the bottle. All of these formulas, no matter their type, will leave some kind of residue behind that you’ll need to get off before you get back to your day-to-day. Otherwise, your skin might feel irritated later in the day.

Conclusion

With the right solution, the biggest potential downside of electric shaver’s – the potential for razor burn – can be avoided and you can enjoy all of the benefits of these technological innovations. Hopefully, this guide has provided you with a great pre-electric shave that perfectly suits your own skin and which adds to your overall comfort. Remember to follow the instructions on the bottle carefully, and enjoy your new, smooth shave!