Pre-Shave Oil, Cream and Balm: Order of Use Explained
By Luxury Barbers London | Men's Grooming Products | Truefitt & Hill | Published: 2026-11-01
Category: How-to Guides
Get the sequence right: pre-shave oil first, then shaving cream, then aftershave balm. Here is the correct order and how each Highgrove product fits in.
Quick answer
Apply pre-shave oil to clean, damp skin before lathering with shaving cream, shave, then finish with aftershave balm once you have rinsed and patted your face dry. Oil goes first, cream goes on top, balm goes last.
Why the order matters more than the products
Each product has a different job, and putting them on in the wrong order stops them working. Pre-shave oil creates a thin layer that helps the razor glide and conditions skin before the blade touches it. Shaving cream sits on top to soften stubble and hold moisture against the skin. Aftershave balm goes on after shaving, when the skin is clean and dry, to rehydrate and calm it.
If you apply balm before shaving, or cream before oil, you either block the layer underneath or wash away the product that was meant to stay. The sequence below keeps each layer doing its own job.
When to adjust the routine
You do not always need all three. If your skin is oily or you shave daily, a pre-shave oil can feel heavy; use a smaller amount or skip it on days when your skin already feels comfortable. If you have sensitive skin, the balm step is the one to keep, because it is the product that stays on your skin after the razor has gone.
If you use a shaving bowl and brush, load the cream as usual, but apply the oil to your face first, not to the bowl. Mixing oil into your lather will flatten it.
Step-by-step: the correct order of use
- 1. Clean and dampen your face: Wash with lukewarm water and leave your skin damp, not dripping. A warm, damp surface helps the oil spread evenly and prepares the skin for lather. Common mistake: applying oil to a dry face, which makes it drag and use more product than needed.
- 2. Apply pre-shave oil: Dispense a small amount of Highgrove Luxury Pre-shave Oil into your palms and massage it over the areas you will shave, avoiding the eyes. Let it sit for a few seconds before the next step. Checkpoint: your skin should feel slick, not greasy. If it feels heavy, you have used too much.
- 3. Lather with shaving cream: Apply Highgrove Luxury Shaving Cream over the oiled area, either by hand or with a brush, working it into a light lather. Do not rub it in so hard that you wipe the oil away. Common mistake: mixing oil into the shaving bowl, which collapses the lather.
- 4. Shave: Shave with the grain first, rinsing the razor between strokes. Let the blade do the work rather than pressing down, since the oil and cream are already there to reduce friction. Checkpoint: if the razor tugs, add a little more cream rather than more oil.
- 5. Rinse and pat dry: Rinse with cool water to remove leftover cream and oil, then pat your face dry with a clean towel. Do not rub, especially if your skin feels warm or tight. Common mistake: applying balm to a wet face, which dilutes it and slows absorption.
- 6. Finish with aftershave balm: Smooth a small amount of Highgrove Luxury Aftershave Balm over the shaved area and let it absorb. This is the last step, not the first, because the balm is meant to stay on the skin. Checkpoint: if your skin still feels tight after the balm has absorbed, use a little more next time.
Highgrove products in this routine
- Highgrove Luxury Pre-shave Oil: Highgrove Luxury Pre-shave Oil is a 50ml blend designed to facilitate razor glide and condition skin before shaving. Use it as the first layer on damp skin so the razor has less friction from the start.
Highgrove Luxury Pre-shave Oil - Highgrove Luxury Shaving Cream: Highgrove Luxury Shaving Cream is glycerin-based and formulated to lightly hydrate and balance the skin. Apply it over the oil to soften stubble without stripping the skin underneath.
Highgrove Luxury Shaving Cream - Highgrove Luxury Aftershave Balm: Highgrove Luxury Aftershave Balm contains aloe vera extract and is designed to reduce irritation and razor burn. Save it for after rinsing, when it can rehydrate skin without being washed away.
