Is it normal to have more irritation in the winter cold months?

[jcummins]

Over the summer, my techniques and lather have improved so as much that I didn't really need any aftershave or anything for irritation because I didn't have any.....However, now that it has started to get cold, I seem to have irritation almost every shave. I Don't know that anything has changed, I'm still using the same razor, same set of blades, same soap, and same brush. I slowed down to make sure my techniquie hasn't gotten sloppy and it seems fine (visualy anyway). This made me think of timing as winter is setting in and we have colder days now.

Is this normal or typical? Any thoughts to combat this?

Thanks...

 

[Chevyguy]

Over the summer, my techniques and lather have improved so as much that I didn't really need any aftershave or anything for irritation because I didn't have any.....However, now that it has started to get cold, I seem to have irritation almost every shave. I Don't know that anything has changed, I'm still using the same razor, same set of blades, same soap, and same brush. I slowed down to make sure my techniquie hasn't gotten sloppy and it seems fine (visualy anyway). This made me think of timing as winter is setting in and we have colder days now.

Is this normal or typical? Any thoughts to combat this?

Thanks...

The air is colder and dryer which in turn dries out your skin and causes irritation. I use a good skin moisturizer, or an aftershave balm. Nivea makes some good ones.

Clayton

 

[dpmtherrien]

Shaving in the winter, or even in just colder climates, is different than shaving when its warm. Your skin gets drier, and almost brittle it seems. This makes for a shave that's harder to get then when its warmer.

+1 on the moisturizer and a good balm for winter time.

 

[ackvil]

Not in Florida!

 

[Go West Young Man]

Indoor heating can change the temperature and humidity of the air, messing up your lather a bit.

 

[Wil Dorenbos]

Guess I am lucky: I do not notice any difference.

 

[jcummins]

Indoor heating can change the temperature and humidity of the air, messing up your lather a bit.

This an interesting as i'd not thought of the heating. I have just recently moved to a new place with Gas heat rather than electric heat. This took place less than a month ago, so I may be dealing with 2 variables....Different heat source AND cold/dry weather.

The air is colder and dryer which in turn dries out your skin and causes irritation. I use a good skin moisturizer, or an aftershave balm. Nivea makes some good ones.

Clayton

I also used the Nivea ASB. Currently the one I have is an ASB + Moisturizer. I think I like the Nivea Sensitive skin better.


I've also read some posts where people use the moisturizer when they go to bed and such without shaving. I might have to try that as well.

 

[tls1]

I find this to be the case here in the Northeast and so in the late fall when I start getting more nicks and weepers than usual (especially on my neck), I shift over to 'winter prep.'

For me this means I need to add on another 5-10 mins of face prep, use a hot washcloth after my shower followed by a light lather, sit 2 mins, hot washcloth and then hot-warm water coating of my face (and especially my neck) before lathering. This seems to make a major difference.

Before bed in the winter I avoid washing my face with soap/cleanser. Instead, I do a quick pass with a light alcohol free toner and then use a moisturizer. It definitely helps over the dry winter nights.

 

[Rossmeister]

I lie in Norway, and this is what I have found when shaving in cold weather (down to -4 F).

Your skin retracts WAY more than usual. This means a BBS will last much shorter. The Skin goes back and the hairs pop out.

I don't really think the dryness has that much to say, maybe, if your skin isn't used to the changes. The dry skin dies out anyway and then there's fresh skin below. Kinda like shaving normally

One day I had an interesting experience. I shaved really, really close and my skin was irritated (from the BBS). I slapped on my products and went for work. There's a huge temperature difference between where I live and where I work, and when I got to where it was -4, my face was hurting like a mother.. It was fine before that.

Fresh skin is much more vulnerable to the cold, and you'll get irritated and your face will hurt from freezing. That's my experience at least.

I suggest using products with more fat in them, this will protect your skin a whole lot more in cold weather, dry or not.

 

[jcummins]

I always shaved right after a shower, so I don't know that I need to holding hot towel to my face for a 3-4 minutes or so, but what I have been doing the last few times is to lather up the brush and rub in (not rubbed in like I'm going to shave, but enough to cover the hair), and letting it set while I brush teeth. Then I wipe off with a warm damp towel and proceed to lather up to shave. Seems to have helped a little bit, but I still have a bit more irritation than my usual.

 

[njpaddy]

I find I prefer a different razor & blade combo in winter months. I used a Merkur all summer, but as soon as the weather changed I found myself reaching for my SS. Try something different, another razor or blade or maybe a good cream.