Post-Shave Routine: Nurturing Your Skin after Shaving

Created on 30th August 2023 by Avindo Gonsalves

Rinse with cold water

Apply aftershave

Moisturize your face after shaving

What not to do after shaving?

Using vaseline post shaving

Skincare after shaving is important to maintain skin health and enhance overall grooming experience. A good post-shave routine can reduce skin irritation, prevent razor burns, redness and dryness. Therefore it is important for every men to have a good post-shave routine to promote hydration, reduce inflammation and to ensure a smoother, more comfortable complexion.

Rinse with cold water

The first step of any post-shave routine is to rinse the face with cold water. Shaving can cause irritation and inflammation. This is truer for people with sensitive skin. Cold water helps to constrict blood vessels, which in turn can reduce redness and soothe irritation.

Many men assume that cold water can close skin pores. This is not true. Cold water can minimize their appearance. Cold water can also help seal the skin’s outer layer, which is beneficial after shaving.

It can also cause blood vessels to contract and give the appearance of tighter skin, though this effect is temporary. The constriction of blood vessels can also reduce swelling due to shaving.

Therefore, after shaving, splash your face with cold water. You can also use a cloth soaked in water and pat your skin. This will constrict your blood vessels and provide the benefits mentioned above.

Pat your skin dry gently. This is important to prevent further irritation.

Apply aftershave

Aftershave is a grooming product that can prevent skin irritation and provide hydration after shaving. Aftershaves are available as balms, lotions and splashes.

When a person shaves, there can be irritation due to the removal of the top layer of the skin cells and the scraping action of the razor. This can lead to redness, irritation, inflammation and itching. Most aftershaves have soothing ingredients like aloe vera, chamomile, calendula and witch hazel. These ingredients reduce inflammation and irritation.

The act of shaving can result in small cuts or nicks. Aftershaves have antiseptic agents like alcohol or tea tree oil that can help disinfect small wounds and prevent infections caused by the cuts.

Shaving can strip the face of its natural oils. Some aftershaves in the form of balms and lotions contain moisturizing agents like glycerin, hyaluronic acid and shea butter. These can help replenish the skin’s moisture barrier and promote a smoother texture.

In addition to the above some aftershaves have ingredients like witch hazel that can help tighten the skin and minimize the appearance of pores. Finally, many aftershaves have fragrances that contribute to an individual’s overall grooming experience.

If you have dry skin then it is important to use balms or lotions, especially during winter. Avoid using alcohol-based aftershaves for sensitive and dry skin.

Moisturize your face after shaving

When you shave, a thin layer of the topmost skin cells is removed. This act can result in compromise of the skin’s barrier function. The barrier is needed to retain moisture and to protect the skin against external irritants.

Moisturizers can help to repair and strengthen this barrier. Hence it can prevent water loss and maintain a healthier complexion.

Shaving can also dry the skin. A moisturizer can attract water molecules to the skin from the surrounding environment. This can prevent the skin from drying. Finally, many moisturizers have soothing and anti-inflammatory ingredients such as aloe vera, chamomile and calendula. These ingredients can help calm redness or irritation from the shaving process.

Use a lightweight and non-greasy moisturizer that is suited for post-shaving application.

What not to do after shaving?

Avoid touching and rubbing freshly-shaven skin excessively. This can further irritate the skin and lead to redness and inflammation. Don’t exfoliate the skin after shaving. This can cause irritation. In fact, exfoliate your face one day before shaving to prevent ingrown hairs.

Avoid hot water exposure like showers or baths immediately after shaving. Hot water can open up pores and lead to further irritation.

Try to avoid the sun after shaving as it can make the skin more sensitive to sunlight. Avoid heavy moisturizers. Finally, if you develop ingrown hairs or razor bumps then avoid picking or squeezing them.

Can I put Vaseline on my face after shaving?

Yes, you can put Vaseline on your face post shaving. Vaseline is an occlusive moisturizer, which means it can help to create a protective barrier on the skin. This same barrier is affected while shaving. Vaseline can help prevent moisture loss with the protective barrier.

In conclusion

Shaving can irritate the skin, cause redness and inflammation. An effective post-shave routine that involves rinsing with cold water, applying aftershave and moisturizing can prevent the after effects of shaving.