Does shaving leave your skin red, dry and irritated? Do you develop ingrown hairs, acne or folliculitis (bless you)? If so read on to discover our team’s perfect shaving routine.
Step 1: Is your razor…razor sharp?
A blunt razor can be your skin’s worst enemy. A brand new blade should glide effortlessly over the skin but blunt blades snag and pull at your skin, resulting in cuts, rashes and general inflammation.
Step 2: Fling the foam
Shaving foams are usually no better for your skin than shaving with soap, this is because many commonly available shaving foams actually are just soap, with some added ingredients (in some cases alcohol) to make them smell and foam. The problem with shaving with soap is that its alkaline while our skin is acidic, we need our skin to stay acidic as it helps to protect it from bugs that cause inflammation and infection. Soap (and alcohol) also leaches all the good oils from the skin, drying it out. So if you’ve ever felt, red, tight and irritated after shaving, the soap or shaving foam you have used to ‘lubricate’ your skin could be the culprit.
Purity Clean foams so is a great shaving product that supports the skin. RRP $68.00
The Fix?
Before shaving we recommend washing your face in warm water (this can be done in the shower where the steam will help to open your pores) with a good quality cleanser to prep your skin and ensure all bacteria is removed. For those that regularly shave we love Cosmedix’s Purity Clean because it contains lactic acid which is a natural moisturising factor that draws water molecules into the skin keeping it hydrated from within. It also contains peppermint oil and aloe vera to stimulate and calm the skin.
Once your face is clean you’re ready to razor. If you feel you need a buffer or lubricant for the actual shaving process don't rinse your face after cleansing. Purity Clean foams so becomes a great lubricant for shaving. If you prefer a purpose product we like a good quality shaving cream which generally needs to be applied with a brush, unlike the foams that tend to strip your skin, creams tend to contain moisturising ingredients.
Step 3: Go with the grain
Shaving is not to the time to get rebellious, be conventional and go with the grain. Often the biggest area of issue is the jaw line and down the neck. This is because it’s common for the hair to change direction in these areas and many fail to change the direction of the razor with it, creating redness and follicle inflammation.
Cosmedix Purity range is great for men as it tackles many common shaving issues. RRP$68.00
Step 4: Balance the barrier
Once you have finished shaving rinse your face thoroughly and apply a non-astringent, nourishing toner such as the Cosmedix Purity Balance. This product is mildly exfoliating, unclogs follicles, supports the skin barrier and reduces pore size. Basically it prevents all the problems generally associated with shaving.
Step 5: Shave this tip for later
An appropriate evening skincare routine will help to keep your skin’s barrier function healthy, meaning it will cope better with your shaving routine. Active skin care should be specifically chosen for the individual, however if you suffer from breakouts, ingrown hairs or folliculitis (again bless you) then Aspect Dr’s Problem Skin Serum is a man’s best friend. Why? Because this product can teach your skin new tricks. It contains soothing and calming ingredients such as Canadian Willowherb which gets that shaving irritation to sit and stay, while the detoxifying ingredients go on the offensive attacking oil and congestion. Full of antioxidants this single product is supportive and loyal to your skin making it your skins perfect companion.
Aspect Dr Problem Skin Serum is man's best friend. RRP$129.00