Long-time reader and admirer of this forum, but first post.
By way of background, I've been doing DE shaving for about a decade, at first motivated by my now current brother-in-law and persistent issues with shaving irritation acne outside of that.
I'm now 31 and continue to have acne. I have gone on decent runs with limtied flare ups, but has gotten worse over last year. I see a derm about it, but believe 70% of my issues are related to shaving and ingrown hairs. I tried growing out my beard and, what I can tell you is that I end up irritated and with ingrown hairs regardless. Not to mention, very few "beard conditioning" products that are non-comodogenic. I shave a single pass (every couple of months I'll do a cheeky two-pass) daily.
Occasionally, I have short-term success with a new med or a specific technique. I did have sucess for a while using benzoyl peroxide as post-shave and night-time treatment, but have since seen that this now dries my skin out. So I'm old enough that my skin will lash out if I dry it out, but continue to struggle with ingrowns regardless.
My current typical shaving routine below and have suggested a couple of things that I think I might be wrong on. But, very open to feedback and ideas from the forum about what I can look at changing:
Hot shower first (always)
use Taylor of Old Bond Street Almond shave lotion, I find I get the most consistent lather and shave with this. I even rub a bit on first as a pre-shave treatment
Feather blades, Merkur 34c razor. Single pass WTG
Wash face AFTER as per derm's instructions. I use a special, volcanic sulfur wash that he recommended.
Nivea Post-Shave for Sensitive Skin
Clindamycin Phosphate as prescribed by derm
Non-comodogenic, First Aid Beauty mineral sunscreen
Dr Jart Tinted BB creame with niacinamide and SPF 40
1. Is my razor too aggressive? I have only used Merkur 34c and open to changing
2. Am I putting on too much crp on after I shave? I live in South Florida so dedicated SPF is important, but wondering what the group thinks
3. Nivea Post-Shave for Sensitive Skin, is this the right AS? I have tried other things, but at night I am using tretinoin, which is on the drying side.
4. Should I consider a different blade? I like Feather's as they are sharp and efficient. I don't cut myself frequently, but open to change here.
I appreciate any feedback and please go on me gently. Thank you.
By way of background, I've been doing DE shaving for about a decade, at first motivated by my now current brother-in-law and persistent issues with shaving irritation acne outside of that.
I'm now 31 and continue to have acne. I have gone on decent runs with limtied flare ups, but has gotten worse over last year. I see a derm about it, but believe 70% of my issues are related to shaving and ingrown hairs. I tried growing out my beard and, what I can tell you is that I end up irritated and with ingrown hairs regardless. Not to mention, very few "beard conditioning" products that are non-comodogenic. I shave a single pass (every couple of months I'll do a cheeky two-pass) daily.
Occasionally, I have short-term success with a new med or a specific technique. I did have sucess for a while using benzoyl peroxide as post-shave and night-time treatment, but have since seen that this now dries my skin out. So I'm old enough that my skin will lash out if I dry it out, but continue to struggle with ingrowns regardless.
My current typical shaving routine below and have suggested a couple of things that I think I might be wrong on. But, very open to feedback and ideas from the forum about what I can look at changing:
Hot shower first (always)
use Taylor of Old Bond Street Almond shave lotion, I find I get the most consistent lather and shave with this. I even rub a bit on first as a pre-shave treatment
Feather blades, Merkur 34c razor. Single pass WTG
Wash face AFTER as per derm's instructions. I use a special, volcanic sulfur wash that he recommended.
Nivea Post-Shave for Sensitive Skin
Clindamycin Phosphate as prescribed by derm
Non-comodogenic, First Aid Beauty mineral sunscreen
Dr Jart Tinted BB creame with niacinamide and SPF 40
1. Is my razor too aggressive? I have only used Merkur 34c and open to changing
2. Am I putting on too much crp on after I shave? I live in South Florida so dedicated SPF is important, but wondering what the group thinks
3. Nivea Post-Shave for Sensitive Skin, is this the right AS? I have tried other things, but at night I am using tretinoin, which is on the drying side.
4. Should I consider a different blade? I like Feather's as they are sharp and efficient. I don't cut myself frequently, but open to change here.
I appreciate any feedback and please go on me gently. Thank you.