Shave Oil from Apothecary 87 sits on the skin and lets the blade glide over it, which is handy if you have sensitive skin. It is also clear, so you can see exactly what you are doing when you are shaping the edges of a beard on your cheeks or neck.

Castor oil and avocado oil do most of the work, both calming the skin and helping the razor move freely. Cedarwood oil is a natural antiseptic, and vitamin E soothes and helps against razor bumps.

Use it before the shave, either on its own or under the Shave Cream for an extra smooth result. A few drops afterwards will calm the skin down too.

The scent is Sandalwood & Vanilla, which the brand used to call An 1893 Fragrance. 1893 is the year the first barber school opened, when barbering finally stopped being a sideline for dentists and surgeons. Sweet vanilla, spicy sandalwood, and the general feeling of sitting in a good barber's chair.

• 30ml bottle, roughly 600 drops
• Use before and after shaving
• Key ingredients: castor oil, avocado oil, cedarwood oil, vitamin E