Silicone

[Pauldog]

I couldn't find anything on this website about silicone, so I thought I'd ask. I'm talking about silicone lubes made for the body. Is silicone useful on the face during any part of the shave? Sometimes I put a tiny bit of silicone on my blade, especially when I have several days growth.

The other application I though of was using it as a lubricant for razor mechanisms, rather than vegetable oil, which might get gummy after a while.

[navajadeafeitar]

Can't say that I've ever heard of anyone using silicone, but perhaps someone else can chime in. From my limited understanding, using regular mineral oil is not good because it leads to clogged pores. I use camellia oil to protect my straight blades (available at any woodworking store like Rockler or at www.japanwoodworker.com). Others seem to use Tufglide, or mineral oil like Dovo Sterol.

[bullfrog]

Whether it's useful in the shaving process I'm not sure but I know for a fact that some canned shaving creams/gels that are sold over here contain silicones.

However, the same canned stuff is pretty much useless if you shave with a str8 razor.

For razor protection I'd recommend mineral oil. This should work equally well and cost less.

[Salesgod]

Philosophy puts out a shave creme that contains silicone as it's main lubrication ingred. I've never tried it though, sorry.

[stuff495]

I used to have a link to info on Sillicon oil -- if I recall correctly (and that's a big if) one of their properties was hellping absorbtion of other stuff.

Mineral oil should be toatally fine for protecting a razor. Some people find that it clogs their pores. But that's in cases when it's a main ingrediant for lotions, etc. The tiny ammount of oil that woudl come off of a razor shouldn't cause any problems -- and even if there was enough comming of the razor it would almost instantly get shaved off. Of course there's nothing wrong with using cammelia oil or something more fancy for razors . It's good stuff (unlike mineral oil it's acctually beneficial to the skin). While it's more expensive, it shoudln't break the bank because a few ounces of oil should last you years.

--Vincent

[guenron]

Just think, integrated circuits, microprocessors, and BREAST implants! What more could you want?

[Joe Lerch]

Sorry, there's a bigger difference between silicone and silicon than one letter.

Just think, integrated circuits, microprocessors, and BREAST implants! What more could you want?

[guenron]

Sorry, there's a bigger difference between silicone and silicon than one letter.

Just think, integrated circuits, microprocessors, and BREAST implants! What more could you want?

You mean from a "C" to a "D"?

[Bastida]

Hello, some of the modern brushless creams (KoS Kinexium or Brave Soldier cream) use silicone oils like dimethicone (PDMS). Really lubricant stuff. The "problem" with silicones is that they are powerful defoaming agents and that is not a property you welcome when trying to build lather.

Regards,
Bastida.

[HLSheppard]

I use a Dupont (in a spray can) food-grade silicone to protect my straight razors in between shaves. Works like an absolute charm. No problems whatsoever and great protection.

As far as use during a shave I can't comment...