Sensitive skin, need suggestions:

[Gunney]

Gents,
I was hoping that you might be able to point me in the direction of a better razor for my daily shave. As a firefighter I am expected to be clean shaven, and whilst up to now I have gotten away with shaving every couple days, I am going to be joining up with another organisation, and commencing actual shift work so they require us to be clean shaven. I doubt I will be able to get away with the stubble look...

Heres the issue: Whilst the shave feels fine initially, a little while later I can feel that it is not a clean shave, but rather quite stubbly. I think I have sensitive skin, so needless to say it becomes quite irritating... This is rather exaserbated by the SCBA mask, and any kind of rubbing like a shirt. Additionally I am in a dorm situation now for university, so I don't really have a ton of time to shave in the morning, since four other guys are generally trying to get in to use the shower-- and we are trying to avoid the alternative of 'multi-tasking' lol...

I am debating going back to a cartridge simply for the ease and speed. Any ideas? Mach 3 maybe?

 

[Nick Danger]

I'm a sensitive skin guy, too. I can give you some hints about what worked for me:

When I was starting out, I got great results with a Merkur 34c. The EJ DE89 was ok, but the Merkur worked much better for me and it was easier to find the correct shave angle with that razor. You can't go wrong with either one as a newbie, though. I'd avoid anything too aggressive when you're starting out.

Another great option is a Slim or Fatboy, since they are adjustable and you can find the right setting for your face.

With my sensitive skin, I have to avoid scented creams and soaps. If you do go with something scented, try it for a few days in a row and see how your face looks and feels. I can use some scented products for a single day, but by day two or three I can really see the problems. Since I've start using only unscented soaps and creams, I have considerably fewer problems with red blotches and irritation.

I bowl lather just because it involves less time with the brush on your face and less exfoliating.

Even blades can make a difference to sensitive skin. I've tried most of the popular blades. For a newbie, I'd recommend Astra SPs. Huge difference between those and the cheapies you can get at Walmart. At under $10 for 100 blades, you can afford to put in a new blade every few shaves. Don't try for the world record on blade longevity: when the blade starts to pull, skip or feel a little dull, put in a new blade.

Lastly, I'd recommend that you try cold water shaving. My face is much happier when I don't shave with hot water.

Good luck, and there is plenty of good advice to be found from other guys with sensitive skin here on B&B.

Nick

 

[Frankthetank]

This is not a suggestion to blindly follow, but maybe you should look into trying a more aggressive razor. You don't mention what razor you use, but I find that I get more irritation with a mild razor than with an aggressive one. If this is a route you think you might want to go, think about an open comb, or a Futur. The Futur is nice because its adjustable, and also quite aggressive. A more aggressive razor can also sometimes let you get away with less passes, which takes less time and can also reduce irritation. I am very presentable after two passes with a Futur, and a full shave takes me maybe 15 minutes or so. WTG, then a XTG/ATG combo pass.

Another thing you could try to reduce time is using a shaving cream to reduce lathering time, or use a brushless cream altogether, like the Cremo Shaving Cream. Some people give very positive feedback on it.

 

[mgoldmann]

Like you, I am required by employer mandate to be clean shaven. I also have areas that are especially prone to razor burn and irritation (neck and under chin).

I found that the EJ DE 89 was actually the closest thing to a Holy Grail razor I could find. The real secret to it all, though, was the shave cream....

Check the ingredients in your shave cream. I found that there are some (Cremo Cream for instance) that I'm allergic to. Others (most canned foams) don't have everything I really need in a shaving cream.

The best stuff I found so far ingredient wise in my price range is either Barbasol in a tube (available on the internet- the best deals are on the Walgreen's website) or a product that is no longer available that was made by American Crew.

 

[JayEddie]

Neutrogena has a sensitive skin AS balm that is really nice. Also, do you use slow or fast strokes? I get less irritation using slow strokes as opposed to fast.

 

[Gunney]

Neutrogena has a sensitive skin AS balm that is really nice. Also, do you use slow or fast strokes? I get less irritation using slow strokes as opposed to fast.

I stroke slowly... oh you mean my face... lol (jk, someone had to...)

I have used everything from hypo-allergenic to barbasol to the stuff I am using now, a stick of that Hungarian stuff (forgetting the name now...)

Whatever it is, my face just doesn't like it. I used to use a Sensor, worked great until it started not to work as well. I then used this EJ, same thing, worked awesome for a while before it finally started doing a crap job again...

Any cartridge ideas? That way I can see if maybe it is just a case of me becoming sensitised to the razor (if the cart does a bang-up job, then I know)
After all most cart razors are loss-leaders initially (for the handle and a blade or two)..

 

[77TransAm]

I stroke slowly... oh you mean my face... lol (jk, someone had to...)

I have used everything from hypo-allergenic to barbasol to the stuff I am using now, a stick of that Hungarian stuff (forgetting the name now...)

Whatever it is, my face just doesn't like it. I used to use a Sensor, worked great until it started not to work as well. I then used this EJ, same thing, worked awesome for a while before it finally started doing a crap job again...

Any cartridge ideas? That way I can see if maybe it is just a case of me becoming sensitised to the razor (if the cart does a bang-up job, then I know)
After all most cart razors are loss-leaders initially (for the handle and a blade or two)..

Try the Proraso White shave soap. It's almost like a hybrid cream/soap. It's meant for sensitive skin. Also, I find that some blades work better than others on my skin. Personally, my sensitive skin requires a very sharp blade. The cheaper/duller the blade, the more tugging and irritation I get. I'd recommend buying a blade sampler pack to find your go-to blade. Get a sampler with Feather, or Astra SP, or Personna Lab/Med blades.

I hope this helps!

 

[one2mny]

I have sensitive skin as well and find that feathers work well for me. I actually enjoy using my straight razor but with my inexperiance my face can only handle a couple of days with the straight before i have to go back to the DE. Anyway, I find that the less passes I make the better off my face is. Also I follw all shaves with the Aveeno AS Balm and then AS splash. IMO this works well, but YMMV.

 

[ThomasB98908]

Actually, for sensitive skin, I would recommend starting out with a Sensor razor (2 blades) and doing the wet shave with a good brush and KISS MY FACE shaving cream-unscented (available at most grocery stores in the Nutrition center area). Face lather to clean the skin/pores, and just go for clean-looking shave (no BBS) with a couple of WTG and an XTG pass. Cold water rinse to close pores and you should be good to go. I usually finish off with Nivea for Men Sensative lotion. Works great and cools the skin.

 

[Nxspam]

There's a lot good advice here. I have sensitive skin too. I have the white prorasso and even that contains a little menthol that adds a little tingle when applied. I love shaving with that in summer, as it still cools the skin.

As for an "after shave" treatment, I use Skin Food. TOBS I think. There is little or no alcohol and it is very soothing and seems to last forever. I have the sandal wood. I was told to avoid the Lime version becasue it actually does have some citrus acidity.

 

[Sceptic Pencil]

Since starting DE shaving 7 months ago, I haven't had too many issues, but those I have had were attributable to the shaving cream I was using. Only last week, I used some Trufitt & Hill No.10 & lit my face up for about 24 hours. My face was so hot, it felt like I had a fever! Whilst I do still foolishly experiment with different shaving creams, sadly, what works best for me is King of Shaves sensitive gel (which comes in a tube).

In the morning, I first use an exfoliating face wash to raise up the bristles, before washing this off & rubbing a dollop of KOS into my stubble. I perform a WTG pass, wet my face & rub in another dollop of KOS for the ATG pass & touch ups. This whole process takes 15 minutes. I use a fairly aggressive razor (FaTip) so that I can get a BBS in the required 2 passes, but I can still get a CCS in two passes using my much milder Rocket HD.

 

[AirForceMX]

Not sure if this has been mentioned yet…. THE most important thing in learning this shaving game is using the SAME razor for at least 2 months. That time frame is just my personal idea of the optimal time. Soaps, creams, techniques, end all ideas, and other stuff are all variables and you will have to experiment and see what works best. I promise you the most important thing is to use the same razor for a while so it becomes "one" with you, and you can wield it appropriately.

I got MORE ingrown hairs when I first switched over to DE because I kept changing blades, creams, soaps, razors….you name it, I changed it…..and often! It wasn't until I settled down and used the exact same razor for over a month that the ingrowns and irritation when away!

 

[josephfrye]

Prep: Gillette Fusion ProSeries Thermal Face Scrub

Razor: Gillette Fusion ProGlide Power

Cream: Gillette Fusion ProGlide Hyrda Smooth

Wash face with face scrub.
Apply warm water.
Apply lathered cream.
Shave in direction of grain. Remember you are only dragging the razor so jo pressure.
If you want super close shave, repeat warm water application and lathered cream application. Shave against grain. Rimse face with cold water. Apply Skin Bracer Aftershave or your favorite aftershave. I like the alcohol containing aftershave to seal up the pores and any nicks or cuts. I also think it helps condition the skin and keep it healthy for daily shaving.

One razor lasts me for at least 2 months.

 

[shave/brush]

I also have sensitive skin. I use for post shave Neutrogena Razor Defense. Target sells it for less than anyone else.

I also use a Merkur 37c slant razor. I believe this to be the smoothest razor I ever used. It will take out stubble. The slant idea really works.

 

[Gunney]

Well I solved my problem lol. I went to wallyworld and picked up a 12 pack of those BIC single blade disposables. Heavenly. Only one nick, no irritation-- it takes about 20 passes for me due to my thick beard, but next time maybe I will splurge on a Mach 3 Sensitive.

Not sure what it is about it, but apart from clogging the blade up a few times (I hadn't shaved in a few days) no problems. The 'buffer' around the blade was a little annoying for doing right along my ears, but that is minor.