It's interesting to look at SOTD and see quite a few people using pre-shave oils or gels, yet when you look back at previous discussions, most of us who use them or have used them in the past (including myself) are undecided on whether they actually contribute anything positive to the shave or not, and sometimes it seems as though they act detrimentally on the lather quality when used with certain creams or soaps. Yet we still continue to buy and use them. The power of advertising perhaps or maybe they are just a part of the soothing ritual of preparation we perform each day?