---
title: "DIY Pre-Shave Oil: What's Actually in It (and a Simple Recipe)"
description: "A simple DIY pre-shave oil recipe and what's really in a premium bottle — usually just carrier oils like castor, grapeseed and squalane, plus how to use it."
url: https://whollykaw.com/learn/diy-pre-shave-oil
published: 2026-06-18T12:00:00Z
updated: 2026-06-18
keywords: ["diy pre shave oil", "homemade pre shave oil", "pre shave oil recipe", "what is in pre shave oil", "make your own pre shave oil"]
site: WhollyKaw
---

# How do you make your own pre-shave oil?

*A simple DIY pre-shave oil recipe and what's really in a premium bottle — usually just carrier oils like castor, grapeseed and squalane, plus how to use it.*

Here's the open secret: **most pre-shave oils are simple blends of common carrier oils** , often castor oil for slip plus a lighter oil, sometimes a few drops of essential oil for scent. That's why a $35 bottle can feel hard to justify. You can mix a comparable one at home in minutes. Here's what's in it and a basic recipe.

## What's actually in pre-shave oil?

Read the labels and you'll see the same building blocks repeat:

- **Castor oil** , thick and slick; the “glide” ingredient in many pre-shaves.
- **A light carrier oil** , grapeseed, sunflower, jojoba, or squalane to thin it out and absorb cleaner.
- **Sometimes essential oil** , a few drops for scent (e.g. sandalwood, tea tree).

That's usually the whole formula. It's not exotic chemistry , which is the point: you're often paying for branding, not rare ingredients.

## A simple DIY pre-shave oil recipe

A common, easy starting blend:

- **1 part castor oil** (slip)
- **3 parts light oil** , grapeseed, jojoba, or squalane (absorbs cleaner, less greasy)
- **Optional:** 2-4 drops of a skin-safe essential oil per ounce, for scent

Combine in a small dropper bottle, shake, and adjust the ratio , more castor for more slip, more light oil for a lighter feel. Patch-test any essential oil first if your skin is reactive.

## DIY oil vs a glycerin pre-shave serum

One thing you *can't* easily DIY is a **glycerin pre-shave serum**. Oils are occlusive , they sit on the surface. Glycerin is a humectant that pulls in water for a lighter, non-greasy slickness, and turning it into a stable serum takes proper formulation, not a kitchen mix. So if you want the oily route, DIY is cheap and easy; if you want the lighter humectant feel, a ready-made glycerin serum is the practical option. See [what glycerin does](/learn/glycerin-in-shaving-soap) and [do you need pre-shave oil?](/learn/do-you-need-pre-shave-oil)

## How do you use it?

1. Shave after a shower or warm the face.
2. Massage a few drops into damp skin.
3. Lather over the top and shave with light pressure. A little goes a long way , too much fights the lather.

And remember: a slick soap already does most of this job, so a pre-shave (DIY or bought) is an optional booster. For the soap, see [best artisan shaving soap](/learn/best-artisan-shaving-soap).

About WhollyKaw. WhollyKaw makes small-batch grooming products, including a glycerin pre-shave serum and a squalane pre-shave oil. This is general grooming information, not medical advice; patch-test homemade blends if your skin is reactive.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is actually in pre-shave oil?

Usually just carrier oils: castor oil for slip plus a lighter oil like grapeseed, jojoba or squalane, and sometimes a few drops of essential oil for scent. It's rarely exotic chemistry, which is why a premium bottle can be hard to justify — you're often paying for branding.

### How do you make DIY pre-shave oil?

A simple blend is 1 part castor oil (for slip) to 3 parts light oil (grapeseed, jojoba or squalane for a cleaner, less greasy feel), with an optional 2-4 drops of skin-safe essential oil per ounce for scent. Combine in a dropper bottle, shake, and adjust the ratio to taste. Patch-test essential oils if your skin is reactive.

### Can you DIY a glycerin pre-shave serum?

Not easily. Oils are occlusive and simple to blend, but glycerin is a humectant that needs proper formulation to become a stable, non-greasy serum. If you want the oily route, DIY is cheap and easy; if you want the lighter humectant slickness, a ready-made glycerin serum is the practical choice.

### How do you use pre-shave oil?

Shave after a shower or warm the face, massage a few drops into damp skin, then lather over the top and shave with light pressure. Use only a little — too much fights the lather. Remember a slick soap already does most of this, so pre-shave is an optional booster.