I've tried both oils and creams. Didn't find that much help with the oil, maybe a little smoother depending on your cream/soap you're using. For what ever reason, I find the Proraso pre/post to work well with the Proraso cream, but not really much difference if any for anything else. I agree with castlecraver that if your prep is good then you don't need it. If you don't have time for the hot towel or shower before you shave then if find the most(although still marginal) benifit. Might be because I'm not focusing as much either with the soap/cream to water ratio and all that.
I'm still a newbie, but from my limited experience, I would have to lean towards putting a little lather on, rubbing it into your face with your fingers, leave it sit for 30 seconds to a minute and then apply the lather with the brush. I find this to be of more benifit than any 'pre' type product I've used. This has been mentioned by more experienced members/wet shavers than myself and I was pleasantly surprized at how well it worked. Of course there's the famed Kyle method as well. Some add the lather before the hot towel.
I've even tried a suggestion on here to use a combination of olive oil, caster oil, (50/50 between these two or a little more olive oil for moisture) a couple of drops of glycerin and a little fragrence of your choice. That worked as well as any more expensive 'pre' products I've tried, but still not as good as just using lather.
Sorry for the long post. This was something I was thinking about on the weekend. Must be a 'Jeremy' thing again.
