Pre-shaving oils, lotions, gels or creams can be a savior for men who experience unwanted side effects from shaving, such as sensitivity when shaving their upper lip, chin or neck. The whole purpose behind a pre-shave is to create a layer of protection over your skin to safeguard against the repeated contact of the razor. Another great thing about a pre-shave, is that it contains emollients that soften the hair and make your skin slippery allowing the razor to glide across the skin. As its name suggests, a pre-shave is applied prior to shaving.